Chief Human Resources Officer

Travis County•Austin, TX

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Travis County is seeking an experienced Chief Human Resource Officer to join their team. This leadership opportunity offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including paid vacation and sick leave, health and dental insurance, an on-site health clinic for employees and dependents, and a generous retirement plan with a match. The position is eligible for telework with in-office requirements as needed. Travis County is committed to equity, fairness, respect, financial sustainability, operational excellence, and innovation. The CHRO will serve as a strategic advisor and transformational leader, responsible for delivering comprehensive Human Resources programs that support organizational effectiveness. This role involves partnering with Elected and Appointed Officials, Department Heads, leadership teams, and employees to provide expert consultation and tailored HR solutions. The next CHRO will have the opportunity to establish a clear vision for the department, foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and create systems and processes for reliable, professional service. The Human Resources Department has an annual budget for FY26 of $142,339,535 and a team of 38 employees, covering areas such as Organizational Culture, Total Rewards, Talent Planning and Engagement, Organizational Compliance, and the Employee Health Clinic. Employee and retiree health benefits are self-funded and administered by the Benefits Team.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration or a directly related field
Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible experience in a Human Resources
Four (4) years of mid- to senior level supervisory or management experience
Valid Texas Driver's License
Knowledge of all areas of public and/or private sector Human Resources management.
Knowledge of management and supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
Knowledge of recent Human Resources developments and current literature.
Knowledge of Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines relating to the field, including: Title VII, Civil Rights Act; Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA); Public Information Act; Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO); Equal Pay Act; Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA); Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA); Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); American with Disabilities Act (ADA); Immigration and Reform Act; Texas Workers Compensation; TX Commission on Human Rights; TX Workforce Commission; Department of Labor/Wage and Hour Division.
Knowledge of labor relations methods and practices.
Knowledge of State and local government budget, planning, systems, documents, issues, and trends.
Knowledge of negotiating and coordinating changes to Human Resources rules, policies and procedures.
Knowledge of Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and local Human Resource Management Associations.
Knowledge of Human Resources Publications and information sources.
Knowledge of budget preparation and office management.
Knowledge of computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
Knowledge of business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.
Skill in improving seamless customer service delivery.
Skill in building and maintaining strong relationships with the Commissioners Court, Elected/Appointed Officials, citizens groups, community, other county employees, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.
Skill in supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
Skill in leadership development.
Skill in collaboration and teambuilding.
Skill in meeting management.
Skill in delivering change management initiatives.
Skill in negotiating and coordinating changes to Human Resources rules, policies and procedures.
Skill in collaborating with Officials and staff outside a direct line of authority.
Skill in developing, implementing, interpreting, applying and ensuring compliance with Human Resources policies and procedures per laws, rules, regulations, and codes.
Skill in contract management and project management.
Skill in working with Executive Management, and Elected and Appointed Officials.
Skill in developing strategic plans, budgets, and programmatic evaluation tools.
Skill in developing creative programs and solutions to address county needs.
Skill in developing Human Resources policies, total reward compensation and benefit systems, and employee relations/staff development programs.
Skill in problem-solving and decision-making.
Skill in operating a variety of modern office equipment, including a computer.
Skill in explaining complicated technical problems in simple non-technical language.
Skill in both verbal and written communication.
Ability to direct, motivate, train, develop and evaluate staff.
Ability to direct, plan, organize and implement department programs, functions, operations and activities.
Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate the work of others through subordinates.
Ability to make appropriate and effective public presentations.
Ability to provide management, administration, organizational leadership and team building.
Ability to manage and prioritize projects and activities.
Ability to initiate and lead.
Ability to think independently.
Ability to accept responsibility.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions.
Ability to perform technical research, calculations and computations, and prepare plans and reports.
Ability to convey complex ideas and concepts verbally and in writing.
Ability to plan, assign, supervise, train and evaluate the work of professional and administrative support staff.
Ability to communicate goals to a wide and diverse audience.
Ability to mediate and resolve employee grievances and differences at all levels externally and internally to the Human Resources department.
Ability to manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
Ability to evaluate Human Resources problems and issues and recommend effective technical solutions.
Ability to perform in a fast-paced and stressful environment, while maintaining a professional manner.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County Executives, Commissioners Court and staff, Elected and Appointed Officials, Attorneys, Judges, all levels of management, other Department Heads, union representatives, departmental clientele, contractors, representatives of outside agencies and providers, other County employees and Officials, and the public.

Nice To Haves

Master's/advanced degree in Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration (MPA), Human Resources-related field (MA/MS), or Juris Doctorate (JD)
Professional certifications such as Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
Professional in Human Resources Certification (PHR)
Knowledge of, and experience with Systems, Applications, and Products (SAP)

Responsibilities

Advises, consults and collaborates with Elected and Appointed Officials, Department Heads, department management, and employees, including retirees, on alternatives to meet their objectives related to assorted Human Resources policies and operational procedures, including personnel actions, reorganizations, classification changes, targeted recruitment, employee relations and discipline, employee benefits, risk management, health and safety.
Administers and directs comprehensive Human Resources programs, services and activities to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, practices, and State, Federal and Local laws, policies and statutes.
Approves and administers personnel actions (staffing, development, coaching and performance management) for departmental staff.
Formulates and recommends policies, procedures, and practices to implement Human Resources programs and services.
Plans, develops, recommends and implements Human Resources management programs and services.
Initiates Human Resources program development, design and evaluation efforts to continuously enhance operational processes and procedures, in accordance with Human Resources best practices and employment legislation, into new and improved programs and services that meet short and long-range countywide organizational needs.
Plans, organizes and directs tasks and projects by applying research and assessment, and cost benefit analysis methodologies for outcomes that support deliberations on program and budget related policy decisions, e.g., wage and salary studies, ad hoc classification reviews, health benefits and pay for performance plans.
Develops and administers related implementation parameters in executing innovative solutions.
Collaborates on complex tasks and project focused work groups that may comprise one or a combination of cross-functional entities, including legal, purchasing, auditor, payroll, budget, labor union, department Human Resources managers and employee representatives.
Presents technical information clearly and logically in a manner that is easily understood to Commissioners Court, various and diverse audiences.
Directs the administration of the total rewards program, classification and compensation and performance management programs and services to facilitate recruitment, employee development and retention of a productive workforce.
Ensures compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Directs the administration of staffing, training, employee relations programs and services, such as Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), organizational development and employee assistance programs.
Directs the administration of employment investigations programs and services as requested by Elected/Appointed Officials.
Directs the administration of Human Resource Information Systems programs and services.
Directs the administration of group insurance employee and retiree benefits, wellness clinic, risk management, owner controlled insurance programs, health and safety, and Americans with Disabilities Act programs and services.
Develops departmental strategic plans, work plans, work activities, projects and programs, monitors workflow and, budgets, reviews and evaluates work products, and performance measures.
Approves expenditures and manages departmental budget, additional resources, personnel, and equipment and facilities.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.