Description

Job Summary: Under the general direction of the Director of Legal Affairs, serves as the administrative head of the Human Resources Division overseeing and directing all human resources, labor relations, and related functions, including employee benefits, HRIS, and pension administration of the City. Develops and recommends human resources policies and practices and performs the duties of human resources director as set forth in the City Charter, including but not limited to the functions set forth in Sections C5-10-3, C5-20-10, and C5-20-12.  Under the general direction of the mayor, serves as the City’s chief spokesperson in collective bargaining negotiations, and represents the City in contract administration, grievance proceedings, and administrative hearings concerning human resources and labor relations matters. 

Supervision Received: Under the general direction of the Director of Legal Affairs. 
 
Supervision Exercised: Supervises all professional and administrative staff of the City’s Department of Human 
Resources. 

Examples of Duties: 
• Performs related duties as required. 

• Directs and conducts human resources operations with the assistance of appropriate subordinate employees. 

• As the administrative head of the Human Resources Division, performs the duties of human resources director as set forth in the City Charter, including but not limited to the functions set forth in Sections C5-10-3, C5-20-10, and C5-20-12. 

• Directs human resources functions such as but not limited to recruitment, testing, selection, transfers, promotions, and maintenance of the classification and compensation plans. 

• Directs other human resource functions such as but not limited to employee training, active and retired employee benefits, pension administration, the employee assistance program, and the development of human resources policies and procedures. 

• Serves as the Secretary to the Classified Employees Retirement Fund (CERF) and chairs the meetings of the Custodians and Mechanics Pension Fund (Custodians). Directs the monthly retirement benefit payroll for all of the city’s pension plans including CERF, Custodians, Police, and Fire. 

• Administers and maintains the Pay Plan for unrepresented department heads and professional staff and negotiates employment contracts for such employees as set forth in Section C5-20-21 of the City Charter. 

• Conducts all aspects of labor negotiations, including conducting research, planning, and preparation; serving as the spokesperson in negotiations; advising the Mayor and other City officials on collective bargaining positions; presenting proposed agreements to City boards for ratification; representing the City 
in impasse proceedings. 

• Oversees the administration of the City’s Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) including all employee dates of service, current and former positions, attendance, leave accruals, protected personal information, and other related required employee data. 

• Responsible for financial/budget planning and budget administration for the department.

• Advises department heads and supervisors concerning human resources rules and procedures, administration of collective bargaining agreements, employee performance, and discipline, employee benefits, and other human resources issues. 

• Represents Human Resources Division before boards and legislative bodies. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 
• Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds. 

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of human resource administration and labor relations. 

• Thorough knowledge of laws and regulations governing human resource and labor relations in the public sector in Connecticut. 

• Thorough knowledge of modern compensation theories and practices including job evaluations, salary administration, and classification principles.

• Considerable skill in utilizing data to project costs, calculate savings, and in identifying trends in administrating employee and retiree benefits. 

• Considerable skill in consultative, team-oriented formulation of contract proposals, and counter proposals in labor negotiations. 

• Considerable skill in making public presentations and presenting material in employee training environments. 

• Ability to critically evaluate any program area in order to identify deficiencies or shortcomings and to formulate realistic solutions effectively integrating them into ongoing operations. 

• Ability to supervise assigned professional and support staff. 

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with City officials and managers, government agencies, and employee organizations. 

• Skilled in oral and written communication. 
 

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in human resources administration, public administration, business administration, or a related field.  A minimum of eight years of professional experience in human resources generalist functions, of which a minimum of three years is in a senior supervisory position, and direct experience in collective bargaining negotiations and contract administration sufficient to meet the requirements of the position; or a satisfactory equivalent combination of the forgoing education, training, and experience. 

*  Director may work hybrid under certain conditions and with authorization.