The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is seeking a Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to lead the human resources, safety, and training functions for the organization. With the opportunity to impact the lives of nearly 300 employees and the thousands of riders they serve, this position offers both the opportunity to help improve the Greater Des Moines community and the individual lives of our employees. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this position is responsible for ensuring DART is an employer of choice where diverse, talented, and enthusiastic individuals who are committed to serving others can thrive and succeed. The right person will have extensive experience and skills in leadership and management, enjoy a fast pace and lots of change, and be willing and able to navigate between the weeds of day-to-day human resources administration and long-term culture building and strategic planning.

Position Summary:

The Chief Human Resources Officer is a member of the executive leadership team and responsible for developing and executing human resources, training, and safety strategy in support of the organization, specifically in the areas of recruitment and talent management; labor relations and dispute resolution; equal opportunity program administration; diversity, equity and inclusion; organizational and performance management; benefits and compensation; safety; training and development; and change management. Ensures that programs, policies, and procedures are consistent with strategic directions and provide the quality of work life necessary to meet DART's long-range objectives.

Essential Functions of this Position:

Directs the development and management of the human resources function, including recruitment, selection, placement, classification and compensation, employee benefits, workers compensation, labor relations, drug and alcohol program, and records management; serves as the Agency's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer; and monitors the terms and conditions of employment to ensure compliance with State and Federal laws. Implements the organizations strategic human resources goals and objectives, ensuring alignment with DART's vision, strategic goals and budget parameters.
Directs the development and management of the organization’s safety function including safety programs, policies and procedures.
Directs the organization’s human resources training and development function including annual training and compliance, new employee training, and professional development planning. The CHRO may frequently be involved in both the long-term and day-to-day activities of the team including 1) recruitment and hiring of employees, 2) terminating employees, 3) evaluating employee performance, 4) problem-solving, 5) training, coaching, counseling, and development of employees, 6) special recognition and awards, 7) ensuring a strong diversity, equity and inclusion program, 8) compensation, payroll and benefits administration, and 9) succession planning.
Directs effective recruitment, staffing, training, employee relations, compensation and benefits programs that address the needs of DART and its employees and ensure that DART is viewed as the employer-of-choice within the community.
Oversees the development and implementation of effective workforce planning initiatives and policies including structured workforce planning and succession planning programs.
Collaborates with executive leaders on the development and implementation of human resource initiatives designed to support DART’s strategic goals, diversity initiatives.
Communicates changes in agency personnel policies and procedures and ensures common understanding and compliance.
Responsible for ensuring programs, policies and procedures that ensure a welcoming workplace that celebrates and encourages diversity, equity and inclusion.
Ensures that DART takes all appropriate measures for fair and equal treatment of employees in all employment practices (hiring, training, benefits, promotions, discipline, etc.); keeps abreast of developments and trends in equal opportunity and employment law, providing for DART's full compliance with applicable statutes and regulations.
Manages the labor relations program; coordinates the collective bargaining process; develops and evaluates proposals for collective bargaining contract negotiations; participates in contract negotiations; prepares final contract document; administers the contract; maintains official contract negotiation, grievance, and labor/management correspondence files; consults with management and union representatives to identify and resolve issues of mutual interest; provides counsel, training and technical assistance to supervisors and managers on labor relations and contract interpretation.
Oversees the establishment of innovative policies, programs, and activities which cultivate an employee advocate role and provide for and promote employee communication, quality of work life improvement, and cultural change within DART through a variety of techniques.
Investigates or directs the investigation of complex and/or serious employment or discrimination matters; serves as DART’s representative in employment related legal matters; provides counsel, training and technical assistance to employees, supervisors, and management on employment law and employment related issues and problems.
Communicates with attorneys, union officials, insurance representatives, business leaders, and representatives of public, community and regulatory agencies to exchange information and resolve issues related to employment, grievances, complaints, claims, and lawsuits.
Directs the preparation, maintenance and distribution of records, reports, statistics and other materials for Agency use and for local, state and federal agencies as required (OSHA, EEO, Affirmative Action, etc.).
Partners with agency leaders and managers to sustain effective performance management and ensure development and succession planning processes are in place for continual growth and training of employees.
Presents to and works with the DART Commission to ensure alignment of the above functions with the Commission’s strategic direction.
Leads a process of organization development that plans, communicates, and integrates the results of strategic planning throughout the organization.
Supports and maintains a human resource system that meets DART’s and employee informational needs.
Participates on committees and special projects and seeks additional responsibilities.
Any other assigned duties.

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Industrial Psychology or a closely related field.
Master’s Degree preferred.
Union experience preferred.
A minimum of seven (7) years of verifiable professional human resource experience which must include at least three (3) years of management experience; public sector and/or labor relations experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

Knowledge of:

The principles and practices of managing a comprehensive Human Resource program including recruitment, compensation, benefits, organizational development, HRIS, employment development, workers compensation, federal drug testing requirement, employee assistance programs, affirmative action and related program areas.
The methods and techniques of negotiation, conflict resolution and organizational development.
Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, regulations, laws and processes that are essential to effective human resource management.
Personal computers and current office software programs for word processing, presentations, email, spreadsheets and databases at the advanced level of proficiency; as well as general knowledge of specialized software related to functional area.

Skill, Ability or Competency to:

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with department heads, staff, general manager, consultants and governmental regulatory agencies.
Facilitate diverse groups and resolve conflicts, while responding sensitively to cultural, racial, economic and ethnic diversity.
Handle constant changing priorities with flexibility, commitment and diplomacy.
Be trusted with the confidentiality of sensitive oral/written communications with management, employees and the public at large.
Gain cooperation through leadership, influence and behavior modeling, resulting in collaboration and motivation for others to perform well.
Work under time pressures to meet deadlines with required end results.
Organize and analyze varied and complex data and present facts and recommendations effectively in oral and written form.
Professionally maintain composure and effectiveness under pressure and changing conditions.
Make decisions, exhibit sound and accurate judgment and make timely decisions.
Prioritize and plan work activities, use time efficiently and develop realistic action plans.
Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives and procedures.
Take initiative, reason logically and be creative in developing and introducing new ideas.
Work effectively under stressful situations involving confrontation and conflict.

This position supervisory responsibility over:

Human Resources Manager
Training Manager
Safety Manager
Second-level supervision of human Resources, safety and training department staff reporting to the above managers.

Physical Demands:

On a normal work day, this position requires:
- Prolonged periods of sitting and reaching.
- Extensive use of hands, fingers and arms in operations requiring constant handling of paper documents, computing and entering data using a keyboard and ten key calculator.
- Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less to read and enter numerical data.
- The ability to hear normal verbal conversation with or without corrective devices to communicate with co-workers and customers.
- The ability to speak and read the English language clearly and concisely.
Work is performed in a general office environment, heated during the winter and cooled in the summer. Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards.

Disclaimer:

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the position. While this list is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, DART reserves the right to revise the functions and duties of the position, or to require that additional or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, staff shortages, workload changes, rush jobs, or technological developments).

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.

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