Manager, Human Resources

Dakota County, Minnesota; Hastings (MN); On-site; USD 92,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension with PERA

Flexible spending accounts

Excellent work-life balance

Eleven paid holidays

Three weeks paid parental leave

Telework may occasionally be available

Wellness program

Job summary

Dakota County HR leadership position in Hastings, MN, managing recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, and policy administration within the public sector.

The role guides HR staff, ensures compliance with state and federal laws, and supports workforce planning and strategic HR initiatives across County departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business Psychology or Business Management or related field.
• 3+ years in a HR department, including at least 2 years in a supervisory/management role.
• Or combination totaling 7 years with 2 years in a HR supervisory capacity.

Responsibilities

• Oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, employee relations, and policy administration.
• Provide guidance to HR staff while ensuring compliance with laws, policies, and union agreements.
• Lead HR programs and procedures; support workforce planning initiatives.
• Foster relationships across departments and with external agencies.
• Mentor and coach Generalist and Staffing teams; develop and implement HR processes.

Skills

Leadership

Public sector HR

Recruitment & onboarding

Employee relations

Policy administration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in HR/IR/Business

Tools

Microsoft Office

HRIS systems

Job description

POSTING TYPE: Open, Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Human Resources
HOURS: M-F 8 am-4:30 pm
SALARY RANGE: $92,218- $144,090 /year (Grade 110)
LOCATION: Hastings, MN Administration Center
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30pm on 10/12/2026

Under the general direction of the Human Resources Director and Deputy Director, this position is responsible for overseeing recruitment, hiring, onboarding, employee relations, and policy administration within a public sector environment. The role provides guidance to HR staff while ensuring compliance with state and federal employment laws, county policies, and collective bargaining agreements. Responsibilities include overseeing HR programs and procedures, advising HR management on employee relations and labor matters, supporting workforce planning initiatives, and fostering effective relationships across departments. The ideal candidate brings leadership experience, public sector HR experience, and the ability to lead strategic initiatives that promote organizational effectiveness and positive employee engagement.

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business Psychology or Business Management OR related field AND 3 years of experience in a Human Resources department, which must include at least 2 years of manager or supervisor experience.
OR
A combination of education and experience to total 7 years, which must include 2 years of manager or supervisor experience in a Human Resources department.

Preferred Qualifications

• SPHR/PHR/SHRM Certifications.
• Master's degree in human resources, industrial relations, business psychology or business administration.
• Experience managing/supervising staff in a formal HR capacity.
• Experience working in the public sector.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Lead and direct the activities of staff that includes work assignments, review of work performed, performance evaluations, setting goals and priorities, and disciplinary procedures.
2. Provides advice and consultation to County management in recruitment, hiring, employee discipline as well as policy and contract interpretation.
3. Assist in the planning, development, and implementation of employee relations programs, policies, and systems consistent with HR principles, state, and federal laws/regulations.
4. Manages the administration, design, development, planning and implementation of County recruitment, hiring and onboarding that include:
   • Monitoring the effectiveness of existing county recruitment, hiring and onboarding policies, guidelines and procedures and supports a positive and engaging applicant/employee experience.
   • Ensuring that related policy and programs are current, competitive and in compliance with legal requirements.
   • Analyzing data reports and making recommendations to ensure County hiring policies and practices are effective.
   • Directs and supports staff to investigate and implement techniques for creating, streamlining, and enhancing processes and services.
   • Provides mentoring and coaching to Generalist and Staffing team
5. Participates in and contributes to the development of departmental and county level goals, objectives and strategic plans and establishes criteria and standards for achievement.
6. Develops and maintain effective working relationships and communication with peers within the Human Resources Department and other County Departments.
7. Conducts research and analysis for special projects and recommends appropriate actions.
8. Interpret Human Resources policies, procedures, and applicable laws to employees and manager.
9. Recommend policy, procedures, and actions necessary to achieve objectives of HR and County departments.
10. May assist with labor relations activities, including negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, grievance procedures, and contract administration.
11. May conduct investigations into workplace matters and recommend appropriate actions or resolutions.
12. Serve as a subject matter expert in evaluation of human resources business processes and recommendations for improvement.
13. May represent the County as the subject matter expert to external agencies and on internal workgroups.

• Comprehensive knowledge and experience in:
  • Human Resources practices, principals, methods, and trends including recruiting, hiring, and onboarding.
  • Laws, rules, regulations pertaining to HR programs and practices.
  • Public Sector hiring and onboarding
  • Labor Relations and collective bargaining
  • Employment investigations and progressive discipline.
  • HR policy development, interpretation, and application.
• Demonstrated ability to work independent.
• Ability and skill to develop, design, implement and monitor comprehensive programs, systems, policies and procedures in the benefit and compensation areas.
• Comprehensive knowledge and advanced skills in Microsoft Office programs.
• Knowledge of wage and hour laws and regulations, compensation trends, human resource practices and principles.
• Knowledge of government functions and organizations affecting county government.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively while working on multi projects at one time.
• Ability to establish and maintain a positive cooperative and meaningful working relationships with County staff, representatives of government and private sector, policy makers, the public, and elected officials.
• Ability to understand and apply rules, ordinances, standards, and guidelines.
• Excellent communication oral and written communication skills and the ability to deliver messages and communications professionally and positively.
• Ability and skills to determine priorities, organize and delegate work.
• Ability to organize work tasks and use time effectively.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in a County office building. Sedentary or light physical requirements including a lifting requirement of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis which may include a laptop and any necessary papers. Equipment used may include desktop computer, laptop computer, printer, telephone, copier, fax, and calculator.

SELECTION PROCESS: The examination/selection process for this classification will consist of a rating of your training and experience from the application materials submitted. The top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.

Benefits

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Flexible spending accounts
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
  • Carry over unused flex year to year
• Eleven paid holidays each year and one floating holiday
• Pension with a generous employer contribution-PERA Pension
• Telework may occasionally be available
• Three weeks paid parental leave
• Comprehensive wellness program - peer support team, on-site fitness center, annual wellness check-in, and employee assistance program

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct background and reference checks before hiring