Commissioner of Human Resources (Unclassified)

***ATTENTION APPLICANTS: Please submit cover letters and resumes to the following email address with your contact information for consideration [email protected]. ***

The Commissioner of Human Resources serves as the City's chief administrative and executive officer for all human resources and personnel matters. The Commissioner is responsible for directing, coordinating, and overseeing the City's civil service administration, recruitment, employee training and development, performance management, compensation, benefits, and equal employment opportunity programs.  The Commissioner shall also partner with labor relations on all matters related to performance management, discipline, and implementation of new contract provisions. 

The Commissioner shall ensure that human resources policies and practices are administered consistently, fairly, and efficiently in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, the New York State Civil Service Law, the Buffalo City Charter and Administrative Code, and existing collective bargaining agreements.

The Commissioner shall report directly to the Mayor and work collaboratively with City department commissioners and other officials to maintain a qualified, effective, and professional municipal workforce.

The Commissioner of Human Resources shall:

1. Exercise the duties and powers of a municipal civil service commission as provided by the New York State Civil Service Law, to the extent legally authorized.
2. Oversee all City personnel matters, including recruitment, examinations, appointments, promotions, classifications, and employee records.
3. Consult and partner with the Corporation Counsel and the Director of Labor Relations in the administration of the City's collective bargaining agreements.
4. Oversee employee training, professional development, workforce planning, and retention programs.
5. Develop and implement a uniform employee performance review system and a merit-based compensation framework, to the fullest extent permitted by law, available appropriations, and existing collective bargaining agreements.
6. Administer City compensation, employee benefits, and applicable leave programs.
7. Coordinate and oversee City-wide affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance programs.
8. Enforce employee residency requirements established by state and local law.
9. Develop and maintain consistent personnel policies, procedures, and administrative practices throughout City government.
10. Advise the Mayor and department commissioners on personnel administration, workforce management, labor relations, civil service, compensation, and employee relations matters.

LABOR RELATIONS AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

The Commissioner shall partner with the Corporation Counsel and the Director of Labor Relations to support the negotiation of all collective bargaining agreements, as well as the administration of employee performance evaluations and discipline procedures.  

Collective Bargaining Agreement Reporting Requirement: 

The Commissioner of Human Resources shall, no later than sixty (60) calendar days after the execution of a collective bargaining agreement, prepare a report stating the total estimated costs and budgetary and economic impact of such agreement, and file same within said period with the Common Council.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND COMPENSATION

The Commissioner shall formulate, implement, and maintain a uniform employee performance review system and develop a merit-based compensation system for City employees, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law and existing collective bargaining agreements.

The Commissioner shall work with the commissioners of each City department to establish appropriate performance standards, templates, evaluation procedures, and measurable objectives. The Commissioner shall also develop recommendations for linking employee performance, professional development, and compensation where legally permissible.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The Commissioner shall supervise and coordinate Citywide employee training (including but not limited to all mandatory training), professional development, supervisory training, and workforce planning initiatives.

The Commissioner shall administer and oversee the City's compensation and benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement-related benefits, leave administration, and other employee benefits, in accordance with applicable laws and collective bargaining agreements.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND COMPLIANCE

The Commissioner shall coordinate and oversee Citywide programs to ensure compliance with affirmative action requirements, equal employment opportunity laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other applicable nondiscrimination and accessibility requirements.

The Commissioner shall also develop and administer procedures to monitor and enforce employee residency requirements established by state and local law.

DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION AND COORDINATION

The Commissioner shall provide leadership, direction, and oversight of the Department of Human Resources, including departmental personnel, operations, budget preparation, expenditures, and administrative functions.

The Commissioner shall work with the commissioners of all City departments to implement consistent human resources policies and programs, provide guidance on personnel matters, monitor compliance, and address departmental workforce needs.

The Commissioner shall maintain appropriate personnel records, workforce data, and reporting systems and provide the Mayor and other authorized City officials with information and recommendations concerning significant human resources matters.

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferred qualifications include a master's degree from a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field; experience directing a municipal or other public-sector Human Resources department; and at least ten years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, personnel administration, labor relations, or a related field, of which at least five years of experience in a senior management, executive, or departmental leadership role.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY

The Commissioner shall serve as an ex officio member of the Citizens Salary Review Commission and provide relevant compensation information, technical assistance, and administrative support within the Commissioner's lawful authority.

Additionally, the Commissioner should be prepared to take on important special projects that ensure the Department of Human Resources is operating in a modern, 21^st century workplace environment. Examples of special projects include updated job descriptions, streamlining the hiring and onboarding process, annually reviewing and revising the employee handbook, issuing employee policies (e.g. social media policy), and proposing or recommending changes to the department’s organizational design and operation. 

The Commissioner shall perform all duties in accordance with applicable laws, the City Charter and Administrative Code, and established City policies. Nothing in this position description shall supersede the lawful authority of the Mayor, Common Council, appointing authorities, or other City officials; authorize unilateral changes to collective bargaining agreements; or permit expenditures beyond authorized appropriations.

The Commissioner shall perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be lawfully assigned by the Mayor or otherwise established by applicable law.

***ATTENTION APPLICANTS: Please submit cover letters and resumes to the following email address with your contact information for consideration [email protected].***