Chief Human Resources Officer

The purpose of this classification is to plan, direct and oversee operations and staff involved in personnel, employee benefits, classification and compensation, internal communications, and employee records and to provide advice to County administrators and elected officials regarding related issues.

Manages, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.

Oversees the administration of County-wide human resources: ensures that the County operates under a fair and equitable personnel system; develops, recommends, and enforces personnel policies and procedures; reviews appeals and resolves disputes.

Develops and administers budget for the department: forecasts funding needs for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; coordinates budget development with Division Managers; monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget; prepares and submits financial reports and documentation; manages County-wide self-funded budgets for medical, dental, and workers compensation.

Plans, organizes, and directs departmental activities and operations in order to provide efficient, compliant human resources services to County departments, managers, and employees: creates organizational structure; communicates vision; plans and allocates departmental resources; develops and administers departmental operating budget; reviews and analyzes operating reports; and evaluates operations and services for improvement.

Oversees divisions responsible for human resources activities: employment, to include recruitment, testing, selection, promotion, and related programs/services; employee benefits programs, ensuring that benefits remain cost-effective and meet the needs of County employees and management; pension administration, to include serving as a Trustee (Secretary) on the Board of Trustees and the County workers compensation program; County's classification and compensation system, to include position classification, compensation analysis and administration, and merit increase programs; employee development and employee relations programs, to include serving as Director of the Civil Service Board, and the County wellness program to include on site wellness center, fitness centers, wellness programs and wellness incentives.

Manages internal employee communications, to include intranet, email, and print materials distributed to County employees and retirees.

Manages human resources information systems and employee records: ensures security of records and systems; ensures compliance with open records, HIPAA, and other applicable state and federal regulations.
Seeks innovative and creative strategies to ensure the department remains apprised with trends in the HR industry and aligned with the mission/vision of the County.

Develops, plans, and implements long- and short-term strategic plans, goals, and objectives for the department: evaluates performance and effectiveness of current financial services, programs, and systems in relation to growing needs of the County; and identifies and implements needed changes, modifications and/or enhancements. Ensures that all applicable federal, state and County codes and ordinances are enforced.

Serves as a resource on personnel-related issues for the Board of Commissioners, County Manager, and other County departments, and the general public; and resolves conflicts affecting County personnel; Confers with County administration and senior management to keep them informed of key issues and progress toward goals and objective, and to garner or ensure continued support and approval for the department's strategic initiatives; Serves on several boards, including, but not limited to, Civil Service and Board of Trustees, and prepares and presents agenda items to the Board of Commissioners.

Prepares all necessary reports to meet legal requirements and assists in making human resources decisions: submits all mandated reports to local, state and federal regulatory agencies or others as required; compiles and/or tracks various administrative and/or statistical data pertaining to human resources matters; prepares, reviews, and/or analyzes a variety of data; makes applicable calculations; and prepares or generates reports; maintains records.

Represents the County at various functions such as making speeches at civic and business associations meetings, meetings with community leaders, and news reporters to establish goodwill and respond to inquiries.

May assist in representing the County in legal proceedings related to employment actions, policies, procedures, and/or decisions.  May be called upon to participate in fact-finding, depositions, and other activities on behalf of the county.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Degree in Business Administration, Human Resource Management or related field; supplemented by fifteen years of progressively responsible experience managing large-scale human resource operations and ten years of experience managing teams and developing strategic initiatives for an organization; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

PHR, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP or CCP or related certification is strongly preferred.

Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.

Sensory Requirements

Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors

Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

EEO Statement

Cobb County Government is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.