Human Resource Manager

Town Of Southington • Southington, CT

7d • $80,000 - $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Human Resources Director provides professional and administrative leadership in support of the Town's comprehensive human resources functions. Working under the direction of the Human Resources Director, this position assists with the administration and oversight of recruitment, employee relations, benefits, leave administration, workers' compensation, labor relations, training, compliance, performance management, and general Human Resources operations. The Assistant Human Resources Director serves as a resource to employees, supervisors, and department heads regarding Human Resources policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable employment laws. The position exercises independent judgment in handling sensitive and confidential employee matters and serves as the primary backup to the Human Resources Director.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Labor Relations, or a closely related field; and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional Human Resources experience, including employee relations, benefits, leave administration, recruitment, and HR compliance; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Considerable knowledge of Human Resources principles, practices, and procedures and applicable federal and state employment laws.
• Knowledge of employee benefits, leave administration, recruitment, employee relations, performance management, workers' compensation, and Human Resources compliance.
• Knowledge of labor relations principles and administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding meetings and workplace investigations objectively, professionally, and confidentially.
• Ability to provide guidance to department heads, supervisors, and employees and to analyze complex employee relations issues and make sound recommendations.
• Strong interpersonal, conflict-resolution, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling highly sensitive personnel information.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines independently.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, Human Resources Information Systems, electronic personnel records, and employee self-service platforms.
• Ability to provide leadership and direction in the absence of the Human Resources Director.

Nice To Haves

• Municipal or other public-sector Human Resources experience is highly desirable.
• Experience working in a unionized environment and interpreting collective bargaining agreements is highly desirable.
• Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Human Resources Director with the overall administration, management, and daily operations of the Human Resources Department.
• Serve as a resource to department heads, supervisors, and employees regarding Human Resources policies, procedures, benefits, leave programs, workplace expectations, and employee relations matters.
• Provide guidance to supervisors and department heads regarding employee relations, performance concerns, attendance, corrective action, and consistent application of Town policies and collective bargaining agreements.
• Assist with employee complaints, workplace concerns, fact-finding meetings, and internal investigations; gather and review documentation, conduct interviews, maintain records, and assist in preparing findings and recommendations.
• Assist with disciplinary matters, grievances, and labor relations, including reviewing documentation, researching collective bargaining agreement provisions, and preparing correspondence and supporting materials.
• Assist with collective bargaining preparation, including researching comparable information, compiling data, reviewing proposals, and preparing supporting documentation.
• Interpret and apply Town personnel policies, collective bargaining agreements, administrative procedures, and applicable employment laws in consultation with the Human Resources Director.
• Coordinate recruitment activities, including job postings, applicant screening, interview scheduling, interview panels, reference checks, employment offers, and onboarding.
• Work with department heads to review and update job descriptions and assist with evaluating organizational and staffing needs.
• Conduct new-hire orientation and oversee the onboarding process to ensure required employment documentation, pre-employment requirements, and benefit enrollment information are completed accurately and timely.
• Serve as a primary Human Resources point of contact for ADP, including recruitment, onboarding, employee records, benefits, timekeeping, employee self-service, system access, troubleshooting, and coordination of system updates and enhancements.
• Work closely with the Payroll Coordinator to ensure accurate and timely communication of employee changes affecting payroll, benefits, deductions, leave, compensation, status changes, new hires, and separations.
• Serve as backup for payroll processing and related payroll functions, as assigned, to ensure continuity of payroll operations during absences or other operational needs.
• Share responsibility for the administration of employee benefits in coordination with the Payroll and Benefits Coordinator, including health, dental, vision, prescription, life insurance, enrollment changes, qualifying life events, employee deductions, benefit eligibility, and annual open enrollment.
• Serve as a resource to employees regarding benefit eligibility, enrollment, coverage questions, qualifying events, and benefit-related procedures and coordinate with insurance carriers and benefit providers as necessary.
• Assist employees and retirees with CTMERS retirement processes, retirement-related documentation, and coordination of applicable benefit changes.
• Administer and monitor employee leave programs, including FMLA, and assist with ADA accommodation requests and other applicable leave requirements.
• Coordinate workers' compensation administration, including first reports of injury, claim processing, documentation, communication, and return-to-work or light-duty matters.
• Assist with unemployment claims and prepare documentation and responses as necessary.
• Monitor the Town's new employee performance and development process, including New Employee Expectations Meetings and required new-hire evaluations.
• Track and monitor 30-, 60-, and 90-day new-hire evaluations to ensure department heads and supervisors complete required reviews within established timeframes, maintain appropriate documentation, and address performance or development concerns in a timely manner.
• Follow up with department heads regarding overdue evaluations and provide guidance on establishing expectations, documenting employee performance, providing feedback, and developing appropriate goals or corrective measures when necessary.
• Assist with the annual employee performance evaluation process, including tracking completion, communicating deadlines, maintaining documentation, and providing guidance to supervisors and department heads.
• Maintain confidential personnel, medical, leave, benefits, workers' compensation, payroll-related, and employee relations records in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Assist with the administration and maintenance of the Town's HRIS, electronic personnel files, employee self-service resources, and other Human Resources technology.
• Prepare and maintain Human Resources reports, correspondence, employee notices, spreadsheets, presentations, and other documentation.
• Assist with federal and state reporting and Human Resources compliance requirements, including FMLA, ADA, EEOC, OSHA, and other applicable employment regulations.
• Assist with the development, review, implementation, and communication of Human Resources policies, procedures, forms, and Employee Handbook provisions.
• Coordinate and assist with employee training, supervisor development, compliance training, safety programs, professional development, and other Human Resources initiatives.
• Assist with performance management processes, including new-hire evaluations, annual performance reviews, performance expectations, employee development, and supervisor guidance regarding appropriate documentation.
• Assist with employee engagement, recognition, wellness, retention, and workplace culture initiatives.
• Conduct employee offboarding, including exit interviews, benefit information, retirement coordination, and separation documentation, and communicate relevant information to Payroll and other departments as necessary.
• Work collaboratively with Finance, Payroll, department heads, insurance carriers, benefit providers, medical providers, legal counsel, ADP representatives, and other internal and external partners.
• Monitor changes in federal and state employment laws and Human Resources best practices and assist with implementing necessary policy or procedural changes.
• Provide guidance and support to Human Resources staff and assist with coordinating department workflow, priorities, deadlines, and special projects.
• Assist with strategic Human Resources initiatives, workforce planning, employee development, succession planning, and continuous improvement of Human Resources programs and services.
• Represent the Human Resources Department at meetings, training, committees, and other functions as assigned.
• Serve as Acting Human Resources Director when designated and ensure continuity of day-to-day Human Resources operations during the Director's absence.
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality and exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive personnel, payroll, benefits, and organizational matters.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Human Resources Director and Director of Finance.

Benefits

• CT Municipal Employees Retirement System (CTMERS) Pension Plan
• Generous time off, including: Vacation leave, Personal days, accrued sick leave, 12 full-day holidays & 2 half-day holidays
• Comprehensive insurance package including: Medical, Dental, Vision care, Prescription coverage and Life insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager