The Director of Human Resources plans and directs a comprehensive Human Resources (HR) management program for all County departments and agencies; provides overall direction to staffing, classification, compensation, risk management, employee relations, and benefits programs through subordinate managers; performs other related duties as required. This position will oversee a human resources department of 384 staff, with four direct reports and will be responsible for an overall budget of $250 million (FY 23/24), which includes insurances, and an operating budget of $27.1 million.
The Director of Human Resources is a department head appointed by the Board of Supervisors, reporting to and receiving direction from the County Executive Office. This position is characterized by responsibility for directing County human resources operations through subordinate managers. The position advises and assists the Executive Office in long range planning, and development of issues related to employee relations. The Director of Human Resources provides direction for the County’s human resources programs within the policy framework established by the Board of Supervisors.
Examples of Essential Duties
Develop human resources policy, programs and systems to meet objectives in the areas of the classification, compensation, recruiting, selection, onboarding, employee and labor relations, employee benefits, workers compensation, liability and risk management, safety, ride share, employee orientation, career development, training, and other human resources-related functions.
Meet with the County Executive Officer, agency/department heads and other executive staff members to develop and present recommendations on a variety of employee-related issues; serve as advisor to the County Executive Officer; make determinations and decisions on the most difficult personnel issues, including those having significant impact on programs, interaction with the Board of Supervisors, operating departments/agencies, employee groups, or the general public.
Plan, coordinate, and support the labor negotiations process and the maintenance of agreements between recognized employee organizations and the County; provide administrative direction and guidance to the County management negotiating team.
Perform studies and analyses; study legislation, arbitration decisions and collective bargaining contracts to assess industry trends; track state and federal legislation, which may influence County human resources policies and procedures.
Develop strategic and tactical plans for human resources programs and systems.
Oversee the development of the department’s annual budget; monitor revenue and expenditure transactions; direct the preparation and administration of a variety of cyclical reports, special reports or responses to regulatory agencies as required or directed.
Conduct special studies, and on behalf of the Department, make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on human resources policies and procedures.
Participate as a member of various committees formed by the Board of Supervisors or the County Executive Officer that are involved with Countywide issues, act as liaison with other public and private agencies.
Continue to build solid relations and a supportive and collaborative working environment between human resources and the over 40 departments across the organization.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be a high energy, flexible, and collaborative leader. As a problem solver with excellent communication, the successful candidate will have the necessary interpersonal skills to build positive working relationships with staff, department heads, leadership, and elected officials. The successful candidate will be solutions-oriented, have strong political acumen, and the ability to adapt to changing and competing priorities. A background in public sector budget development, policy administration, staff management, and team building are key. Experience in a union environment and knowledge of negotiations is desirable.
The County’s next Director of Human Resources will be creative and people centric as she/he continues to build on the current culture of high performance and stability, while bringing innovative programming in this post pandemic organizational structure, providing expert guidance around recruitment initiatives and succession planning, hybrid scheduling, benefits’ plans, risk management, employee relations, and overall staff support. A supportive Director will have the pleasure of working with a solid, professional team committed to public and community service.
Key Attributes and Characteristics
Excellent leadership skills with a positive demeanor; a leader that reassures staff while inspiring confidence.
Detail-oriented and accurate with the ability to articulate concepts and ideas clearly and directly.
Politically astute. Understand political implications while remaining apolitical.
Understand the importance of acting as a mentor. Be adaptable and creative and look at situations from all perspectives to assess and improve efficiencies and implement best practices.
The ability to work with a wide variety of personalities and communicate effectively with different personality types.
The ability to build and foster positive interdepartmental relationships. A collaborative and supportive leader that looks for solutions; a team builder with a focus on working with others to find resolutions to problems.
A listener with a creative and innovative focus on customer service.
THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE
With rivers, mountain peaks, deserts and fertile valleys, Riverside County offers diversity that few locations can match. More than two million people live in Riverside County, taking advantage of a high quality of life, affordable housing, and a multi-faceted environment of rolling hills, lakes, rivers, deserts, and forests. It has been one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties for several decades. California’s fourth largest county by population is expanding its economy, working to make Riverside County as business friendly as possible and using health and recreation strategies to make the County a healthier place for residents.
To be considered, please submit a resume, cover letter, and five work-related references (who will not be contacted until the later stages of the recruitment) to: https://koffassociates.com/riverside-director-of-hr/. Resumes should reflect years and months of positions held, as well as size of past organization(s).
With rivers, mountain peaks, deserts and fertile valleys, Riverside County offers diversity that few locations can match. More than two million people live in Riverside County, taking advantage of a high quality of life, affordable housing, and a multi-faceted environment of rolling hills, lakes, rivers, deserts, and forests. It has been one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties for several decades. California’s fourth largest county by population is expanding its economy, working to make Riverside County as business friendly as possible and using health and recreation strategies to make the County a healthier place for residents.
