Human Resources Occupational Compliance Manager

DeKalb County; Decatur (GA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

DeKalb County seeks a senior leader to direct countywide occupational compliance, health services, and regulatory risk management. The role provides strategic guidance on ADA/ADAAA, PWFA, FMLA, and DOT/FMCSA programs, overseeing accommodations, health evaluations, and vendor management.

Collaboration with HR leadership is essential to ensure regulatory compliance and continuity of county operations. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and a track record of managing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field with 5+ years of progressive HR/occupational health experience.
• Licensed Psychologist or LPC preferred; several national certifications required or to be attained within 1 year.

Responsibilities

• Directs and manages the Occupational Compliance Division with supervision, budgeting, and strategic planning.
• Interprets and administers ADA/ADAAA, PWFA, FMLA, and DOT/FMCSA regulations; partners with HR leadership on complex matters.
• Directs accommodations programs under ADA/ADAAA and PWFA; conducts interactive processes and advises leadership on feasible accommodations.
• Oversees occupational health services, medical evaluations, and return-to-work processes; coordinates with medical providers and departments.
• Directs DOT/non-DOT drug and alcohol testing programs, including FMCSA Clearinghouse and related compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Strategic planning

Policy development

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in behavioral science or related field

Professional certifications: PHR SPHR SHRM-CP SHRM-SCP or MSP

Job description

Salary Range: $76,553 - $123,250 Salary Grade: 24 FLSA: Exempt

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to plan, direct, and manage countywide occupational health and employment compliance programs to ensure adherence to applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and County policies. This position provides strategic leadership, regulatory oversight, executive consultation, and risk mitigation involving employee medical fitness, workplace accommodations, drug and alcohol testing, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and occupational health services. The position advises County leadership and departments on complex workforce matters affecting regulatory compliance, employee rights, public safety, and operational continuity.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Leadership and Program Administration:

Directs and manages the Occupational Compliance Division, including personnel supervision, workload prioritization, performance management, resource allocation, budgeting, vendor oversight, and strategic planning. Establishes operational objectives, policies, procedures, performance measures, and internal controls to ensure effective, timely, and consistent delivery of countywide occupational compliance services.

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management:

Interprets and administers applicable employment and occupational health regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA/ADAAA), Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Identifies compliance risks, evaluates regulatory exposure, recommends corrective actions, and collaborates with Human Resources leadership, Employee Relations, Risk Management, and legal counsel on complex employment matters.

Reasonable Accommodations and Interactive Process:

Directs the County's workplace accommodation programs under the ADA/ADAAA and PWFA. Facilitates interactive processes, evaluates medical documentation and functional limitations, consults with departments regarding essential job functions and operational feasibility, and advises leadership on effective accommodations, undue hardship considerations, and employment-related compliance obligations.

Occupational Health and Fitness for Duty:

Oversees pre-employment and employment-related medical evaluations, fitness-for-duty assessments, psychological evaluations, medical restrictions, and return-to-work processes. Coordinates with medical providers and department leadership to evaluate employees' ability to perform essential job functions, identify workplace restrictions, and facilitate legally compliant employment decisions while minimizing unnecessary operational disruptions.

Drug and Alcohol Regulatory Programs:

Directs the administration and compliance oversight of DOT and non-DOT drug and alcohol testing programs, including pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing. Oversees FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse requirements, commercial driver's license and medical certification monitoring, testing procedures, vendor performance, and regulatory recordkeeping.

Executive Consultation and Operational Risk:

Serves as a subject matter expert and strategic advisor to County executives, department heads, managers, and Human Resources leadership on complex occupational compliance matters. Evaluates regulatory requirements against departmental operational needs, recommends defensible and practical solutions, and provides guidance on workforce readiness, employment restrictions, employee rights, and continuity of essential public services.

Occupational Health Services and Vendor Management:

Directs contracted occupational medical and behavioral health services, including medical examinations, employee assistance services, critical incident support, and related occupational health programs. Develops service requirements, monitors contractual performance, evaluates utilization and expenditures, audits service delivery and billing accuracy, and recommends improvements to service quality and cost efficiency.

Compliance Systems, Records, and Process Improvement:

Oversees confidential occupational medical records, regulatory documentation, compliance tracking, and reporting systems in accordance with applicable confidentiality and record-retention requirements. Develops technology-driven improvements, automated monitoring, performance dashboards, and standardized workflows to strengthen accountability, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and service delivery.

Training, Policy Development, and Organizational Support:

Develops and implements policies, procedures, training, and educational initiatives for employees, supervisors, and departmental leadership. Provides technical guidance concerning workplace accommodations, fitness-for-duty requirements, reasonable suspicion testing, regulatory responsibilities, and emerging occupational compliance issues. Evaluates procedural effectiveness and recommends organizational improvements.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, Business Administration, Health and Wellness, Human Resources, Public Administration, or a related field; five years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, occupational health, or related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification:

Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) preferred.

PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PSHRA-CP, PSHRA-SCP, Master Safety Professional (MSP),Certified Safety & Health Manager (CSHM), or other job-related national certifications are required, or must attain one of these certification within one year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience administering ADA/ADAAA and PWFA accommodation programs, fitness-for-duty processes, DOT/FMCSA drug and alcohol compliance programs, employee assistance programs, and occupational health services in a large, complex, or public-sector organization. Demonstrated experience advising executive leadership, managing regulatory risk, overseeing service contracts, and implementing compliance systems and operational improvements.