Description
Locale
Yakima County is located in south central Washington near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in a major agricultural and outdoor recreation region. Roughly 2.5 hours from Seattle and 3 from Portland, it is situated in the fertile Yakima Valley, known for its wineries, apple orchards and hop production. The geography varies from densely timbered, mountainous terrain in the west, rolling foothills, broad valleys and arid regions to the east and fertile valleys in its central and southern parts. The Yakima Valley is a wonderful place to live, work and play. Come join us!
Organization
This position will provide human resource services to over 900 FTE and will oversee labor relation negotiations with 17 bargaining units.
Position Summary
The Human Resources Director is responsible for executing a broad variety of general policy and administrative directions received from the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The incumbent will provide advice to the BOCC and other county officials and department heads on human resource issues, initiatives, policy development, legal and technical matters affecting county operations as an employer and is responsible for administering county-wide human resource policies to carry out the county mission. The incumbent will function as an active liaison between employees, union representatives, the BOCC, elected officials, department heads regarding human resource issues.
Essential Duties:
Advises County Department Heads, Elected Officials and other management staff in the utilization and allocation of human resources. Develops, interprets and explains policies, regulations, contracts and laws affecting employment and labor relations issues.
Serves as an internal consultant on a wide array of organizational issues. Monitors and ensures County compliance with federal and state employment and labor laws, rules, and regulations. Participates in organizational strategic planning by modeling and forecasting labor costs and facilitating staff development and succession planning. Uses discretion, initiative, creativity and resourcefulness in addressing sensitive issues.
Serves as the Chairperson of the Personnel Committee and Employee Benefits Committee. Serves as the County's designated Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer.
Represents the Board of County Commissioners and other Elected Officials in Labor Relations matters such as contract interpretations, grievances, settlement negotiations, discipline and other actions relating to the development and administration of eighteen (18) collective bargaining agreements.
Administers Professional Services Agreements with labor attorneys/law firms engaged to represent the County in collective bargaining matters. Recommends strategies for negotiations, Unfair Labor Practice and grievance litigations, and settlement proposals. Participates and reviews negotiations proposals and counter proposals and recommends when the Board should accept, modify, or reject collective bargaining proposals during negotiations.
Participates with labor attorneys in the strategy for litigation cases by identifying and recommending effective tactics; researching County policies, procedures, and past practices; identifying and preparing supporting evidentiary materials; responding to interrogatories; and testifying during arbitrations, Unfair Labor Practices (ULPs) and court cases.
Develops, justifies, proposes and monitors budgets of HR department and various funds, including LEOFF I, Workers Compensation, Employee Benefits and Unemployment Funds. Analyzes revenues and expenditures and projects current and future financial needs to meet goals and standards of service.
Conducts formal grievance and discrimination complaint investigations and prepares conclusions, findings and recommendations for Department Heads and Elected Officials. Advises the Board of County Commissioners and the Prosecuting Attorney regarding any potential exposure to liability concerning employee complaints.
Conducts organizational assessments and develops plans for administration of training and employee development programs. Guides departments and elected officials in addressing those problematic areas. Identifies and selects appropriate trainers and facilities as needed. Performs other duties as assigned.
Education & Experience:
Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Human Resources, Political Science, Industrial Relations, Labor Relations or Business Administration or related field and at least seven (7) years of experience in a director or other leadership role for an organization or a department within an organization, which includes at least 4 years of Labor Relations and Benefits administration experience or the equivalent education and experience to perform the essential duties of the job.
Preferences Upon Consideration:
- Human Resources experience in a leadership role in local, state or federal government
- HRCI / SHRM Certification as a Professional in Human Resources
Requirements Upon Placement:
- Valid WA State Driver's license and proof of insurance, if requested.
- Successful completion of a criminal background investigation and general employment verification.
Required Knowledge:
- Principles and techniques of public administration and human resources.
- Laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, procedures and practices in human resources, labor relations, benefits administration, employee relations, compensation and classification.
- Public sector fiscal, budget and administrative principles and practices.
- Management and organizational analysis, planning and negotiation techniques and practices.
Skills and Abilities:
- Experience reporting to a Board.
- Verbal and written communications and negotiations among diverse interests and groups.
- Presentation skills
- Legal research and interpretation of various laws and regulations pertaining to human resources / employment.
- Application of sound principles of management within a public sector environment.
- Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with a wide variety of people.
- Ability to facilitate collaboration and cooperation among diverse interests.
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