SUMMARY
The Chief Human Resources Officer will lead the Jeffco Thrives Strategic Plan Priority- Our People, Our Strength and its aligned focus on Jeffco staff experiencing a collaborative, inclusive team culture with high expectations for staff and student performance. Leads all facets of human resources (HR) management, ensuring that the Department’s programs and initiatives are successfully integrated districtwide and effective in supporting schools, central departments, and the District’s strategic plan. The Chief is responsible for establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with District leadership and association/bargaining units’ leadership to maximize effectiveness of HR. The Chief oversees the systems, services, programs, processes, and procedures impacting 14,000 employees in the areas of employee/ labor relations; employment; personnel record maintenance and record retention; job classifications and compensation; performance management and evaluation activities; human resource information systems; benefits and leaves administration; talent acquisition; onboarding; employee leave programs; guest teacher program; unemployment insurance management; employee assistance program; and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) activity.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet, lead/serve on District-level committees, and represent the District at various District and community events.
- Ensure that all personnel practices are reasonably designed to conscientiously balance the needs of the District and the District employees. Establish and implement short- and long-range department goals, objectives, strategic plans, policies, and operating procedures aligned with Jeffco Thrives; monitor and evaluate programmatic and operational effectiveness, and implement changes required for improvement, ensuring the District has a high-performance workforce capable of meeting the needs of students and the communities we serve.
- Serve as chief negotiator or negotiations team member, as appropriate, to represent the Board of Education to ensure contract language aligns with interpretation and achievement of Board end statements. Provide advice and counsel alongside the Cabinet Team in establishing negotiations strategy. Research, identify, and provide labor relations recommendations to Cabinet and Negotiating Teams.
- Establish and maintain relationships with association representatives and meet with them in appropriate forums to problem solve and update practices.
- Oversee Employee Relations and Labor Relations to provide an environment, districtwide and through all HR functional areas, of support and open communication with all employees; and to hear employee concerns regarding workplace issues and provide pathways to resolution for employee concerns.
- Oversee the management and administration of the District collective bargaining agreements/labor contracts in accordance with state and federal laws, Board policies, and negotiated agreements. Provide advice and counsel to administrators, licensed, and education support professional staff regarding labor relations concerns.
- Lead the strategic development and continuous improvement of HR functions, in collaboration with other Chiefs and the Chief Legal Officer in particular, to implement Board Policies and ensure alignment with organizational goals. Ensure HR and District staff comply with District policies and interpretations, state and federal laws and negotiated agreements.
- Contributes to organizational culture initiatives, ensuring inclusive practices in recruitment, professional development, and employee engagement. Champion a culture of excellence and accountability through effective performance management systems.
- Ensure that the District is competitive in the market by leading efforts to regularly generate and analyze data and information regarding compensation programs; benefits; leaves workforce planning and strategy; and employment and labor relations practices that inform strategic decisions.
- Lead the expansion and evolution of functionality of HR information systems and participate in business process redesign efforts including as part of the district’s ERP implementation (est. 2025-2028).
- Continuously improve departmental and organizational practices and ensure efficient use of resources in alignment with Jeffco Thrives annual targets.
- Oversee the HR budget including several district-level accounts such as unemployment, guest teacher, and employee professional development funds.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EXPERIENCE
7-10 years’ minimum experience in Human Resources including experience working with negotiated agreements and employee associations. Demonstrated leadership experience in K-12 may be considered in lieu of Human Resources experience. K-12 Human Resources experience preferred.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Master's degree in Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Educational Leadership or other related field.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, OR REGISTRATIONS
Administrator License preferred. Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), or Society of Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional or Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP or SHRM-CP) certification desired.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Ability to use computers and familiarity with standard software (MS Windows & Office Suites, internet and email) required for hire. Exposure to human resource information systems is critical with a preference for experience with PeopleSoft. Strong technical skills and knowledge of human resource related laws and regulations on federal, state and local level. Excellent interpersonal skills inclusive of the ability to mediate and facilitate. Understand human resource programs and activities in a public sector environment. Experience in a unionized setting and knowledge of labor relations laws, practices and procedures preferred. Ability to promote and follow Board of Education policies; and building and department procedures. Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse backgrounds. Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.
SPAN OF CONTROL
Directly supervises HR leadership staff, and indirectly oversees upwards of 55 HR employees for which this position is ultimately responsible. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems. Responsible for both budget development and accountability.
The physical requirements, mental requirements and work environment factors described below 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.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate, synthesize, and use interpersonal skills. The employee is frequently required to compare, analyze, coordinate, instruct, compute, evaluate, compile, and negotiate. The employee is occasionally required to copy.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Frequent travel to schools, department locations, and community meetings is required.
Jefferson County Public Schools employs a strong internal candidate for this role.
