Human Resources and Civil Service Director

This is a highly responsible administrative and professional position in planning, directing, and managing the City’s centralized Human Resources (HR) programs and services. The Director serves as the City’s chief human resources officer and provides strategic guidance and leadership in recruitment, employee and labor relations, classification and compensation, employee development, administration of self-insured group health benefits, an on-site wellness clinic, and compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.

Work involves frequent contact with department directors, City administration, employees, union representatives, and external partners. The incumbent exercises considerable independent judgment and initiative in administering a comprehensive HR program that supports the City’s workforce and service delivery goals. Work is subject to review through discussion and analysis of program effectiveness and accomplishments.

• Provides leadership and oversight for all human resources operations, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and best practices in municipal government.
• Advises and supports City leadership on workforce planning, organizational structure, compensation, employee relations, and personnel policy matters.
• Interprets and communicates HR programs, policies, and procedures to City administration, department directors, employees, and their representatives, professional groups, and the public.
• Leads and manages employee and labor relations programs, including workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, and grievance processing.
• Directs and coordinates the City’s Equal Employment Opportunity programs, including plan development, monitoring, complaint investigations, and recordkeeping.
• Develops and oversees the City’s general training, employee engagement, leadership development, retention, and labor relations programs.
• Administers employee engagement and recognition programs, such as the Employee Suggestion Program, Service Awards, Educational Assistance, and City-sponsored employee activities.
• Supervises the preparation and dissemination of internal HR communications.
• Oversees human resources transactions and records, ensuring accuracy, security, and legal compliance.
• Serves as a member of the labor negotiations team and acts as liaison with the City’s employee association.
• Leads or supports initiatives related to change management, workforce modernization, and organizational development.
• Provides administrative support to implement policies and administrative decisions of the City’s Civil Service Board, including maintaining Board documents, statistical data, and attending all meetings of the Civil Service Board, its committees, and subcommittees.
• Oversees all City group medical insurance, including policy renewals, competitive bidding processes, specification development and evaluation, administration of self-insured programs, and coordination with health and medical professionals.
• Manages the operations and administration of the City’s on-site employee health clinic, including coordination of occupational health services, wellness initiatives, medical providers, and employee care programs.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements. 
• May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.   
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or a related field.
• Ten years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience, including at least three years in a supervisory or senior leadership role.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• Master’s degree is preferred.
• Professional certification in the field of Human Resources (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR, IPMA-SCP) is preferred.
• An incumbent in this position is required to file a financial disclosure statement with the State of Florida in accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapter 112, Part III. This filing must be completed within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter, no later than July 1 of each year in which the individual serves in this position.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Public sector human resources practices, labor relations, and applicable federal and state employment laws.
• Structure, functions, and operations of municipal government.
• Compensation and classification systems, organizational development practices, and workforce analytics.
• Modern office technology, HRIS platforms, and data management best practices.
• Group health insurance practices and applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and compliance standards related to insurance programs.
• Employee health and wellness program administration, including occupational health clinic operations.

SKILLS:

• Preparing and analyzing reports, research findings, and survey data for policy and decision-making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for preparing reports, policies, presentations, and recommendations.
• Managing multiple projects, programs, and deadlines in a complex municipal environment.
• Leadership and supervisory skills in directing staff, consultants, medical providers, and third-party administrators.
• Conducting inspections, investigations, and compliance reviews.

ABILITIES:

• Lead, manage, and develop staff while fostering a high-performance and service-oriented culture.
• Build consensus, communicate complex ideas clearly, and maintain confidentiality and discretion in sensitive matters.
• Coordinate and manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously.
• Work collaboratively across departments and with community stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
• Inspire confidence, drive organizational change, and model professionalism and integrity.
• Plan, assign, evaluate, and support the professional development of Human Resources staff.
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and contractual provisions related to medical insurance.
• Analyze claims, insurance policies, and operational risks and provide sound recommendations as they relate to group health insurance.
• Supervise and evaluate staff, consultants, and service providers effectively.
• Prepare and present detailed reports, recommendations, and policy proposals to executive leadership and governing bodies.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment in handling sensitive personnel, medical, and legal matters.
• Manage and oversee the operations of an employee occupational health clinic and related wellness initiatives.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sedentary work with occasional walking or standing, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard use.
• No significant exposure to environmental hazards.
• Normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, bright/dim light, and texture perception.

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or qualifications. Management reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as needed.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE