Announces a Recruitment For HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR For THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS GovHR USA is pleased to announce the recruitment and selection process for the City of Des Plaines, Illinois next Director of Human Resources. This brochure provides background information on the City of Des Plaines, the municipal organization and the Human Resources Office. Candidates interested in applying for the position should submit their résumé, cover letter, and contact information for five work-related references by November 27, 2015, to http://www.govhrusa.com/current-positions/recruitment. Additional information about the City can be found on the City s web site: www.desplaines.org. Please contact the City s recruiter with any questions about this opportunity: Heidi Voorhees, President GovHR USA/Voorhees Associates 650 Dundee Road, Suite 270 Northbrook, IL 60062 TEL: 847-380-3240 FAX: 866-401-3100 Formal applications should be submitted to: www.govhrusa.com/current-positions/recruitment
City of Des Plaines, Illinois PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT Des Plaines, IL (58,364) The City of Des Plaines is a vibrant, diverse collection of residential, commercial and industrial land uses strategically located approximately 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago near O Hare International Airport. The City is seeking progressive, innovative candidates to serve as its next Director of Human Resources. Des Plaines has 357 full-time and 15 part-time employees and is a financially sound community with a total budget of $156 million. Candidates must be experienced in recruitment and selection processes, collective bargaining, benefits administration and general human resources best practices. Additional knowledge in policy development and implementation, compensation analysis, position classification, and employee development and training is very important. Bachelor s degree required; master s degree and HR certifications desired. Minimum of 5-7 years increasingly responsible professional experience including seniorlevel human resources administration. Starting salary $109,000+/- DOQ. Excellent fringe benefit package. Send cover letter and résumé with contact information for five professional references by November 27, 2015 to Heidi Voorhees, President, GovHRUSA, at http:// www.govhrusa.com/current-positions/recruitment. Tel: 847-380-3240. COMMUNITY BACKGROUND The City of Des Plaines is located approximately 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago near O Hare International Airport. It is a vibrant, diverse collection of residential, commercial, and industrial land uses, encompassing roughly 15 square miles of land area. Des Plaines neighboring communities include Park Ridge, Glenview, Mount Prospect, Rosemont, and Chicago. Des Plaines is home to a breadth of accessible, affordable and connected neighborhoods that are some of the city s greatest assets. In Des Plaines, downtown high-rise condos take the stress out of living and commuting. When cities are no longer a good fit for growing families, their singlefamily neighborhoods are welcoming and friendly. Des Plaines also offers a full menu of outdoor recreation options. There are miles of trails for a bike ride, numerous parks, and the world-class 80-bay driving range. In addition, Des Plaines is home to Lake Opeka, a 40 acre lake within the Des Plaines city limits where residents can fish, sail or boat. There is also an 18 hole, par 3 golf course, volleyball courts, picnic shelters and pavilions along the shore. Des Plaines is home to 58,364 people (2010, U.S. Census Bureau). The City has grown dramatically from its inception in 1857, characterized by a rapid growth period from 1950 to 1970. During the last forty years, Des Plaines population has remained relatively constant, increasing slightly during this period.
Human Resources Director Below is the current breakdown of the City s population as well as an historical depiction of the overall population of the City. CITY GOVERNMENT The City of Des Plaines was incorporated in 1857 and operates under the statutory Mayor-Manager form of government. The City Manager serves as the City s Chief Administrative Officer and is responsible to the Mayor and City Council for the efficient management and operation of all of the affairs of the City and its departments. The current City Manager has been with the City for five years and has been City Manager for four years. The City Council is comprised of the Mayor and eight Aldermen. The City is divided into eight wards, with the residents of each ward electing an Alderman to represent the ward. The Council is the legislative body of the City, setting policy direction and enacting legislation affecting the City. The City is a full-service City and its operations are concentrated within six major operating departments City Manager s Office, Community & Economic Development, Finance, Fire, Police, and Public Works & Engineering. Human Resources operates out of the City Manager s Office. The City has 357 full-time and 15 part-time employees and an annual budget of $156 million. The City is preparing to launch a new website in December that will feature a virtual City Hall and on line applications for job applicants. The City is financially solvent with an AA2 bond rating and significant capital funds derived from the casino revenues.
City of Des Plaines, Illinois HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR The Human Resources Director reports to the City Manager and is a key senior executive position who coordinates the recruitment and selection processes for the City, the collective bargaining efforts with the City s unions, and works closely with the department heads on organizational development and training as well as disciplinary matters. In addition, the Division is responsible for administering the compensation programs, overseeing employee relations programs, developing and implementing personnel policies, ensuring compliance with laws, overseeing the operations of the staff, and maintaining the Affirmative Action Plan/Equal Employment Opportunity regulations. The City has five unions and the following outlines the status of the contracts: Metropolitan Alliance of Police (MAP) The City is in negotiations with the Police Command bargaining unit. The Police Officer contract expires on December 31, 2016. The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) The contract expires on December 31, 2016. The Municipal Employee City Coordinating Association (MECCA) The contract expires on December 31, 2015 and the City is in negotiations with the union. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) The contract expires on December 31, 2015 and the City is in negotiations with the union. The Human Resources Director is assisted in these efforts by a talented staff that includes a Benefits Specialist and an Executive Secretary. The Department has also utilized interns in the past. The City s health insurance is provided by the Intergovernmental Personnel Benefit Cooperative (IPBC). The Human Resources Director is the Alternate Delegate to IPBC. The Human Resources Director is the delegate to the City s Risk Management Pool, the Municipal Insurance Cooperative Agency (MICA). CANDIDATE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA The Des Plaines City Manager is seeking candidates who possess a strong background in municipal Human Resources administration as well as exceptional managerial and interpersonal skills. The ideal candidate will be an experienced, creative, team-oriented professional who can effectively work in partnership with the Director of Finance, the City s legal team, and the City Manager to address the City s short- and long-range goals as well as effectively administer the departmental responsibilities. The following factors of education, experience, and leadership and management skills have been identified as ideal attributes for the Director of Human Resources to possess in order to function effectively in the position. The anticipated starting salary for the position is $109,000+/- depending upon qualifications and experience. Residency is not required for this position.
Human Resources Director Education and Experience Possess a Bachelor s degree in human resources, public administration, public policy or other similar field. A Master s degree and/or Human Resource certifications is preferred. Possess a minimum of 5-7 years increasingly responsible professional experience including senior-level human resources administration. Have demonstrated ability to apply the principles and practices of personnel administration, position classification, performance evaluation, and compensation administration. Have knowledge of benefit programs and administration of health insurance, worker s compensation insurance and related programs and plans. Have strong knowledge of FMLA, employer and employee rights and responsibilities. Have experience working with elected and appointed officials and the public, with the ability to present information and related data in a comprehensible and understandable manner. Have experience in making difficult decisions and the ability to explain the reasons for the decision. Have experience in conducting internal investigations. Have experience working with unions and as a negotiator of collective bargaining agreements. Have a record of fostering positive labor relations, utilizing labor management meetings and other methods for formal and informal communication with union leadership. Leadership and Management Skills Have a balance of technical and leadership/management skills with people skills a high priority. Have skills in diplomacy and interpersonal skills and the ability to remain objective despite personal feelings towards a situation or person. Understand the mission of the various departments of the City and have a strategic orientation, recognizing the need to set objectives and then supporting the accomplishment of the objectives. Have a customer-service orientation and recognize the operating departments as customers. Be accessible with trustworthiness. Have the ability to work in small groups to meet recruitment and hiring goals. Have strong communication skills, both orally and in writing, with the ability to interrelate well with the other department heads. Have demonstrated experience in employee development and empowerment; provide effective guidance and leadership to department staff and support training efforts. Organize appropriate training for employee groups.
City of Des Plaines, Illinois Have a collaborative and open, friendly personality and management style and be one who can establish trust quickly with others. Know how to deal with conflict in a constructive manner. Have the ability to maintain confidentiality. Maintain a calm demeanor during times of stress, providing thoughtful advice to employees, department heads and elected officials. Have the ability and courage to say no when necessary. Be flexible and open to change with a willingness to learn and ask questions. Be assertive when necessary yet empathetic. Have complete personal and professional integrity, inspiring the confidence of elected and appointed officials.
Human Resources Director