Human Resources Manager

The City of Elkhorn, WI is proud to serve its community through a team of dedicated employees across a variety of municipal departments. We are seeking a Human Resources professional who is passionate about public service and values building strong working relationships across departments while serving as a trusted resource for employees and leadership.

The Human Resources Manager oversees all human resources operations for the City, ensuring the maintenance of a highly qualified workforce that delivers quality service to the citizens of Elkhorn. Under the general direction of the City Administrator and Common Council, the HR Manager provides strategic oversight of HR functions, ensuring legal compliance with personnel-related laws and regulations. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, managing staff recruitment, onboarding, and retention; benefits, leave, and compensation administration; development of employee policies and fostering positive employee relations. This position requires the ability to work independently, exercising good judgment and initiative, while maintaining confidentiality.

Benefits
The City of Elkhorn is proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support you and your family:

• Medical Insurance: Premium-free for employee-only coverage, with a minimal 1% cost share for family plans
• Dental Insurance: Premium-free for all employees
• Vision Insurance: Available as a voluntary benefit
• Life Insurance: Two policies provided, with options to purchase additional coverage for yourself and your spouse or dependents
• Retirement Savings: Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), a state-managed pension plan, along with access to a 457(b) deferred compensation plan
• Paid Time Off: Accrued biweekly 
• Medical Leave Bank: Hours can be added annually to be used for qualifying medical leave.
• And more!
  
  

• 2026 full salary range: $71,926.40 - $96,803.20
• Expected hiring range: $71,926.40 - $84,260.80, commensurate with qualifications and experience
  

• Serves as the primary contact for HR-related inquiries and issues, providing guidance on benefits, policies, procedures, employee relations, performance management, and conflict resolution.
• Manages the entire employee lifecycle, including recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and exit processes. Collaborates with department managers to understand required skills and competencies for job openings. Ensures completion of all pre-employment requirements including background checks, drug screens, and physicals.
• Acts as the NeoGov administrator and ensures accurate entry of employee information into payroll and benefit systems.
• Plans and conducts new employee orientation to review City policies, new hire paperwork, and provide information on available employee benefit programs.
• Prepares employee separation notices and related documentation and conducts exit interviews to determine reasons behind separations.
• Manages and administers benefit programs for all employees including health insurance, dental, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, deferred compensation, and long-term disability. Oversees COBRA and FMLA program administration. Acts as a liaison between employees and benefit providers, resolving issues and answering questions.
• Educates employees on City benefits, including the State Retirement System. Collaborates with the City’s broker and City Administrator to strategize on reducing costs and maintaining a high-quality self-insured health plan for employees. Coordinates and oversees the annual Open Enrollment process, including sending out necessary notices and communications. Ensures all required annual notices are provided to employees and individuals enrolled in COBRA.
• Coaches and advises managers on employee performance and disciplinary issues. Participates in employee investigations, counseling, and disciplinary meetings, as needed.
• Assists with the employee performance evaluation process, ensuring timely assessments by supervisors.
• Develops and implements strategies to monitor and improve employee engagement, including conducting employee climate surveys, analyzing results, and executing action plans. Fosters a positive and inclusive work environment that supports employee retention and satisfaction.
• Coordinates training programs and serves on Safety Committee.
• Ensures compliance with safety regulations and manages OSHA-related reporting requirements. Conducts annual audiograms and administers random DOT drug screens and breath alcohol tests in accordance with CDL regulations.
• Maintains accurate personnel records and medical files, ensuring compliance with privacy laws.
• Processes worker’s compensation and unemployment claims.
• Processes and reconciles monthly invoices for health, dental and life insurance plans.
• Reviews and updates City policies in coordination with the City Administrator and Council; informs employees of changes and updates. Ensures compliance with all federal, state and local employment law.
• Participates in labor relations activities, including contract negotiations, mediation, and arbitration. Prepares wage and benefit data for use in negotiations. Works with external professionals, such as attorneys, as needed. Monitors union contracts to ensure compliance with wage scales and ensures all contract terms are adhered to.
• Assists with creating and updating job descriptions; participates in the evaluation of newly established and/or revised position descriptions for proper placement on City step schedule. Conducts external compensation analysis and recommends adjustments as needed.
• Prepares annual departmental operating budget; assists in City budget, focusing on areas relating to wages, benefits, training and other employee programs.
• Acts as a backup for processing bi-weekly payroll.
• Oversees compliance with employment laws and regulations (e.g., EEO, ADA, FMLA, OSHA) and manages the timely filing of required reports.
• Maintains knowledge of trends, best practices, and regulatory changes in HR.
• Prepares miscellaneous communications, written correspondence, reports, and documentation as needed, including maintaining a monthly employee newsletter.
• Prepares for and attends council, committee, and commission meetings as needed.
• Other related duties as necessary.

Required Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in business management, human resources administration, or closely related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources.
• Prior experience working in local government is preferred.
• Prior labor relations experience is preferred.

Required License/Certifications/Training
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification preferred.
• Must possess a valid Wisconsin driver’s license.

Candidates who do not meet the exact education and experience criteria may be considered if they possess any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Working knowledge/understanding of general office practices and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of HR principles, practices, and employment laws and regulations.
• Familiarity with compliance and reporting requirements including, EEO, ADA, FMLA, and OSHA.
• Proficiency in HRIS Systems (e.g., NeoGov) and common software applications (e.g., Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat).
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and prepare a variety of documents such as legal notices, ordinances, resolutions, insurance forms.
• Ability to receive and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow instructions.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with department heads, elected officials, consultants, fellow employees, and the public.
• Ability to plan, assign, instruct, and review the work of other employees.
• Ability to problem solve and work effectively in stressful situations, including working with multiple deadlines and changing work priorities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to develop and implement HR policies and procedures.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities to address complex HR issues, including conflict resolution and policy interpretation.

Special Requirements
• Must be able to attend meetings outside of regular working hours, as needed.
• Occasional travel within the municipality, or for training, may be required.

Tools and Equipment Used
• Frequent use of computer, telephone, office copier, and fax machine.
• Occasional use of presentation equipment (e.g., projectors, video conferencing tools).

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, walk, bend, talk and hear, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects or control the equipment listed above.
• While performing the duties of this position the employee may occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, prolonged visual concentration, and the ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions
The working conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is usually performed in an office setting.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet (e.g. business office, light traffic).
• Minimal exposure to environmental conditions.