Human Resources Director

Distro•Hardin, MT

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Human Resources Director serves as a strategic and operational leader overseeing all Human Resource functions across Big Horn County. Responsible for aligning human capital strategies with county policies and state/federal employment laws, this role manages full-lifecycle recruitment, labor relations, employee performance, compliance, and benefits administration. The ideal candidate blends strong technical knowledge of public-sector employment regulations with exceptional empathy and interpersonal skills to foster a healthy, supportive, and compliant workplace culture.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required.
8+ years of progressive HR management experience preferred (open to public or private sector backgrounds).
Valid driver's license with an insurable driving record required.
Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check and drug screening.
In-depth understanding of FMLA, ADA, FLSA, HRIS platforms, and labor negotiations.
High emotional intelligence, conflict resolution capability, diplomacy, and tact.
Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and public sector database management proficiency.

Nice To Haves

HRCI (PHR/SPHR) or SHRM (SHRM-CP/SCP) certification strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor to County Commissioners, Department Heads, and Elected Officials on personnel matters.
Promote a supportive, inclusive, and cohesive workplace culture across all county departments.
Review, investigate, and resolve employee grievances, workplace complaints, and Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) claims.
Provide guidance and oversight on disciplinary proceedings, Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), and terminations.
Participate in collective bargaining and labor contract negotiations.
Ensure strict compliance with state and federal labor regulations, including FMLA, ADA, FLSA, Workers' Compensation, and prevailing wage standards.
Maintain and update the County Employee Handbook, job descriptions, and salary structures in alignment with changing labor laws.
Oversee accurate personnel record-keeping within the HRIS and manage confidential drug and alcohol testing files.
Ensure mandatory federal, state, and county employment posters and notices are properly displayed and maintained.
Oversee end-to-end recruitment and hiring processes in collaboration with department leads.
Conduct pre-employment vetting, including background checks, drug screenings, and eligibility verifications.
Direct new hire orientations and coordinate retention programs.
Oversee benefits administration, employee open enrollment, and offboarding from benefit systems.
Collaborate closely with the Payroll department to ensure seamless wage and benefit processing.
Prepare annual salary and benefit expense projections for the Board of Commissioners.
Manage safety, injury prevention, and workers' compensation follow-up programs.