Director, Human Resources and Employee Relations

College of the Desert•Palm Desert, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

College of the Desert is seeking individuals from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. As such, we prioritize individuals who fully demonstrate their understanding of the community we serve, the benefits of diversity in a professional and educational setting, and values creating a culture that brings people together. A successful candidate will value working in a collegial, collaborative environment that is guided by a commitment to inclusion, student education, and equity. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to: Understand the importance of holding ourselves accountable as faculty, staff and leadership for closing equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices; Reframe inequities as a problem of practice and view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility; Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human difference; Reflect on institutional and teaching practices and aim to make them more culturally responsive; and Strategically build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity-related initiatives. Under the direction of the area administrator, plans, organizes, coordinates, directs, and provides leadership for the Human Resources functions of the District. The Director is responsible for the clear articulation of District personnel policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreement, and applicable laws and regulations to administrators and employees to ensure compliance and effective Human Resources administration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in business administration, public administration, human resources or a related field; AND
Four (4) years of increasingly responsible human resources experience; three (3) years of which must have been at the level of supervisor or higher within a HR department.
Human Resources administration and practices in public higher education.
Mediation and negotiation skills
Using and applying Human Resource Information System technology.
Job evaluation and classification techniques.
Compensation practices, methods and techniques.
Applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.
California Ed Code and Title 5 requirements relating to personnel activities.
Principles and practices of supervision, training, performance evaluation and discipline.
Leadership, team building, motivation and conflict resolution principles.
Collective bargaining and labor relations in the public sector.
Fair employment practices and recruitment and selection procedures leading to a diverse pool of qualified applicants.
Understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff.
Demonstrated success in labor relations/negotiations.
Organize and direct workflow.
Communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing with faculty, staff, administrators, constituents and representatives.
Effectively mediate disputes and resolve conflict.
Read, interpret, and explain laws, rules and regulations, and to develop and implement personnel policies and procedures.
Demonstrate initiative, creativity, and assertiveness in developing and implementing new programs.
Manage a number of projects and issues simultaneously.
Prioritize and organize information.
Work effectively under pressure.
Work with difficult individuals.
Demonstrated success with extensive public contact with individuals, small groups and large groups.
Conduct complex data comparison, analysis and synthesis.
Attend to detail.
Maintain an understanding of current ideas, trends, and practices pertaining to the areas of responsibility through continued study and participation in professional organizations.
Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability.
Perform with tact, patience and sensitivity.

Nice To Haves

Human Resources experience in public higher education, including community college, is preferred.
Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources Department including recruitment and selection, equal opportunity and diversity outreach, compensation and classification, personnel processing, recordkeeping, personnel policies, performance management, employee recognition, contract administration and employee relations.
Assists in selecting, training, supervising, and evaluating the performance of assigned staff; recommend transfers, reassignments, discipline, terminations, promotions and other personnel actions as appropriate.
Oversees and administers the evaluation and the maintenance of the classification system, including salary and classification studies, implementation of salary schedules, classification review, development and maintenance of job descriptions and position control; supervises the coordination of reclassification of all existing and new positions and position responsibilities, according to established policies and procedures.
Coordinates the development, implementation and modification of the human resources information system for the management of employee, retiree, contractor and related HR records and documentation; serves as department lead in the continued implementation of human resources information systems; facilitates continued modification following implementation.
Coordinates the handling of disciplinary matters; counsels managers, supervisors, and employees on District policies, practices, discipline, and performance evaluation matters; investigates grievances or complaints and prepares written reports/responses.
Assists in ensuring compliance with the District's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Plan in various aspects of employment and education, including compliance with American with Disabilities Act (ADA), sexual harassment, discrimination, Title IX, and EEO; encourage cultural and ethnic diversity in staffing, programs, and services.
Assist in directing functions associated with risk management as assigned and the benefit program, providing service and information regarding salary, classification, range and step increases, leaves, unemployment insurance, health and welfare and retirement. Articulates with Payroll Department as needed to ensure proper salary and benefit payments.
Develop and coordinate the gathering and analysis of data used in contract negotiations, special projects, and reports; participate in negotiations and contract administration; interpret bargaining unit contracts, Memoranda of Understanding, Administrative and Board policies.
Participates in the preparation of the annual budget; supervises its implementation and maintenance.
Meet schedules and timelines, organizes multiple projects efficiently and effectively and carries out required project details throughout the year.
Participates in shared governance and collaborates on a variety of institutional issues including employee relations, HR administration, union relations, collective bargaining agreements and related HR topics.
Perform other related duties as assigned.