Director of Human Resources - Canyon County

Starting Annual Wage: $115,440 - $137,373.60.

Canyon County is located in southwestern Idaho, tucked into the west end of the beautiful Treasure Valley. Just minutes from the capital city of Boise, it features a perfect mixture of rural and urban living and boasts one of the strongest agricultural economies in the entire state, including one of the fastest growing and premiere wine regions in the world in the Snake River Valley. The area’s mild seasonal climate also makes Canyon County a recreationist’s dream with easy access to skiing, snowboarding, hiking, fishing, hunting, boating, bicycling, camping, and golfing. Educational opportunities are abundant with a variety of public, private, and charter primary schools, two fully accredited universities, and the state’s largest community college. Canyon County is also home to two of the premiere professional rodeos in the United States, playing host to the Snake River Stampede and the Caldwell Night Rodeo each summer.

General Statement of Duties

This qualified and experienced individual will develop, coordinate and administer Canyon County’s human resources programs; advise County leadership on human resources matters; supervise Business Partners, Compensation and Benefits, Risk and Safety, Investigation and Administration; participate in confidential Executive Sessions when requested; and perform other duties as assigned.

Classification Summary

The principal function of the Director is to plan, develop and implement human resources programs related to recruitment, compensation, classification, training, employee development, employee retention, retirement and employee records. This outgoing team member will perform all duties in accordance with County ordinances, as well as policies and practices outlined in the Employee Handbook and be bound by state and federal regulations. The work is performed under the general direction of the County Commissioners, but considerable latitude is granted for the exercise of independent judgment, discretionary decision-making and initiative with respect to matters of significance. Supervision is exercised over the work of the human resources team. The principal duties of this position are performed in a general office environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures a dynamic climate whereby the development, maintenance and administration of documents, programs and employee development for all employees is up-to-date and moving in a positive direction;
• Interfaces with all offices and departments within the County but is under the direct supervision of the Board of County Commissioners;
• Works with the Board of County Commissioner to prioritize short and long-term department goals;
• Embraces continual education on human resources matters at the County, State and Federal levels;
• Represents the County on unemployment compensation claims;
• Oversees and advises leadership on human resources programs that promote recruitment, retention, training and development;
• Advises the Board on professional development opportunities;
• Ensures that human resources staff is adequately trained in order to deliver excellent customer service in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and County policies;
• Reviews job descriptions for meaningful content, classification and ensures qualifications, expectations and required skillsets are clear and concise so as to attract a qualified pool of applicants;
• Investigates employee complaints as well as harassment and discrimination claims;
• Works with legal counsel as directed by the Board of County Commissioners. This may include in-house legal counsel or outside legal counsel;
• Functions as the official guardian of personnel files and maintains the integrity of the files by limiting access and safeguarding all records submitted for retention; records scheduled for destruction are provided to legal and approved by the BOCC;
• Assists with development and implementation of performance evaluations and exit interviews for all County employees;
• Prepares turnover reports and identifies root causes of turnover by office and department; provides leadership with necessary training, mentoring and/or coaching opportunities in order to improve department or office deficiencies;
• Participates in the interview process and candidate evaluations when considering key management and director level positions;
• Works with the Board of County Commissioners in the development, maintenance and distribution of the employee handbook;
• Functions in an advisory role on the Trustee Board and provides feedback on claims and losses and identifies ways to control costs while maintaining desirable insurance coverage; reviews quarterly reports related to the designated fund balance of the self-insured fund;
• Analyzes and researches various types of insurance plans for quality, scope of coverage, exclusions, legal implications, cost-benefit analysis and meets with the Board to present options, proposals, and recommendations on an annual basis or as requested by the Board;
• Administers and conveys timely information to employees regarding benefits for medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement options, unemployment insurance, sick leave, vacation leave, military leave, court/jury duty leave and holiday pay;
• Facilitates open enrollment and ensures all employees have the opportunity to apply for coverage if desired;
• Works in tandem with Auditing to ensure a validation process is followed to ensure the county payroll processing system follows best practices;
• Works closely with the Chief Operating Officer on policy, guidelines, procedures, or needs specific to the County or the Human Resources Department;
• Performs other related duties as required by the Office of the Board of County Commissioners.

Knowledge of:

• Best practices and principles of human resources management and administration;
• Applicable employment laws and regulations, including ADA, FLSA, FMLA, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act;
• Principles and practices of recruitment, classification and compensation, employee relations, organizational development and performance management;
• Effective employee supervision and motivation;
• Personal computers and various Microsoft Office products;
• Effective communication strategies with culturally diverse populations;
• Budgeting, forecasting and preparation of needed documentation to support requests for personnel and/or line-item expenses;
• State, local and federal employee reporting guidelines and standards;
• Executive Sessions and confidentiality.

Ability to:

• Interpret policies and procedures and explain complex information to a variety of audiences;
• Compile data and information for reports, letters and memoranda and make presentations in group settings;
• Professionally communicate verbally or in writing in a tactful, concise and tasteful manner;
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive issues related to employee issues and records;
• Effectively lead and manage others;
• Establish productive, working partnerships with elected officials, department administrators and leadership positions within the County;
• Mediate conflict, facilitate meetings without bias and function as a negotiator to bring parties together to find best solutions;
• Build comradery and teamwork within the Human Resources Department and throughout the County;
• Train human resources staff on the proper handling of sensitive information, HIPPA compliance, reference checks, confidentiality practices and CJIS background requirements;

Experience and Training

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership and Development or a related field AND five (5) to eight (8) years’ experience in Human Resources or Organizational Development;
• Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory or management experience;
• Professional certifications: PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP desired;

Special Qualifications

• Successfully complete a background check or be eligible for a waiver through National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Essential Physical Abilities

• Personal mobility and physical reflexes that permits the Director to function in a general office environment that may include sitting at a desk for long or extended periods of time up to 8 hours a day;
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.

DISCLAIMER
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the primary job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract. The Board of County Commissioners has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Canyon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions related to recruitment and selection are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.