Human Resources Manager

DEPARTMENT: Administration/Human Resources

REPORTS TO: Wallowa County ESD Director of Business Services/CFO

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 1.0 FTE
LENGTH OF POSITION: Year Round

Salary Range: $30-40/HR Full Benefits

OPEN: Until Filled

POSITION SUMMARY

The Human Resources Manager provides comprehensive human resources leadership, consultation, and technical assistance to Troy, Wallowa, Joseph, and Enterprise School Districts through Wallowa County Education Service District (ESD).
 

This position serves as a shared human resources resource for participating districts, supporting consistent, effective, and legally compliant employment practices while recognizing that each district is a separate employing entity with its own governing board, administration, collective bargaining agreements, policies, and personnel authority.

The Human Resources Manager serves in an advisory and support capacity. The position provides guidance, recommendations, documentation support, training, and human resources expertise but does not independently make employment decisions on behalf of a participating district. Final authority for hiring, discipline, termination, evaluation, and other personnel decisions remains with the superintendent, administrator, governing board, or other authorized representative of each employing entity.

    ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

              Human Resources Operations and Compliance

• Provide comprehensive human resources consultation and support to Wallowa County ESD and participating school districts.

• Advise superintendents, administrators, and supervisors regarding federal and Oregon employment laws, regulations, board policies, collective bargaining agreements, and sound human resources practices.

• Assist participating districts in developing, reviewing, interpreting, and implementing personnel policies, procedures, forms, and administrative practices.

• Monitor changes in employment-related laws, regulations, and requirements and communicate relevant changes to participating districts.

• Support compliance related to employment practices, personnel records, required notices, leave administration, accommodations, and other human resources requirements.

• Assist administrators in maintaining appropriate and consistent documentation of personnel matters.

• Review human resources processes and recommend improvements that increase consistency, efficiency, compliance, and service quality.

• Develop common resources, templates, checklists, and procedures that may be used by participating districts while accommodating district-specific requirements.

• Coordinate with legal counsel, insurance providers, state agencies, and other professional resources as directed by the appropriate superintendent or administrator.

• Maintain current knowledge of human resources practices affecting Oregon public schools.

Employee Relations

• Serve as a confidential human resources advisor to superintendents, administrators, and supervisors regarding employee relations matters.

• Provide guidance regarding employee performance concerns, corrective action, workplace conduct, complaints, conflict resolution, and other personnel issues.

• Assist administrators with planning and documenting employee conferences, performance improvement plans, disciplinary processes, and related personnel actions.

• Provide guidance regarding the interpretation and application of board policies, employment agreements, collective bargaining agreements, and established personnel procedures.

• Support administrators in responding consistently and appropriately to employee concerns and workplace issues.

• Facilitate or support conflict resolution and problem-solving processes when requested.

• Identify potential human resources, legal, or employee-relations risks and advise the appropriate administrator regarding available options and recommended next steps.

• Recommend consultation with legal counsel when circumstances warrant specialized legal advice.
   

  Workplace Compliance and Investigations

• Advise administrators regarding appropriate responses to workplace complaints and allegations.

• Assist in determining the appropriate process and scope for personnel investigations.

• Conduct or coordinate impartial workplace investigations when assigned and appropriately authorized.

• Interview complainants, respondents, and witnesses; review relevant records and evidence; and maintain appropriate investigation documentation.

• Prepare factual investigation summaries or reports for review by the authorized district or ESD administrator.

• Maintain neutrality and confidentiality throughout investigation processes to the extent permitted by law.

• Advise administrators regarding procedural considerations following an investigation.

• The Human Resources Manager does not independently determine or impose disciplinary action resulting from an investigation; such decisions remain with the employing district's authorized administrator or governing board.

Training and Administrative Support

• Develop and provide training for administrators and supervisors on human resources topics such as documentation, employee relations, performance management, workplace conduct, investigations, and legal compliance.

• Provide orientation and guidance to new administrators regarding personnel procedures and supervisory responsibilities.

• Assist participating districts with developing consistent administrative practices while respecting differences in district policies and collective bargaining agreements.

• Serve as a resource for administrators seeking assistance with complex or sensitive personnel situations.

• Maintain organized and confidential human resources records associated with services provided through the ESD.

• Prepare reports, summaries, recommendations, and other human resources documentation as requested.

• Participate in administrative meetings when human resources consultation would be beneficial.

• Perform other related duties consistent with the scope and purpose of the position.

SHARED-SERVICES RESPONSIBILITIES
 

The Human Resources Manager is employed through Wallowa County Education Service District and provides human resources services to the following entities:

• Wallowa County Education Services District

• Troy School District

• Wallowa School District

• Joseph School District

• Enterprise School District

Because the position serves multiple public education employers, the Human Resources Manager shall:

• Respect the independent governance and personnel authority of each participating entity.

• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and separation of personnel information among participating entities.

• Apply each entity's applicable policies, employment agreements, collective bargaining agreements, and procedures when providing advice.

• Communicate directly with the appropriate superintendent or designated administrator regarding matters involving that entity's employees.

• Identify potential conflicts of interest or circumstances in which independent legal or human resources assistance may be appropriate.

• Establish service priorities in consultation with the Wallowa County ESD Superintendent and participating superintendents when competing needs arise.

 AUTHORITY AND DECISION-MAKING
 

The Human Resources Manager functions as an advisor, consultant, and technical resource to participating districts.

The Human Resources Manager may research issues, evaluate options, provide recommendations, assist with documentation, facilitate processes, and conduct investigations when appropriately assigned. The position does not supersede the authority of a district superintendent, administrator, or governing board.

Unless specifically delegated in writing by the appropriate employing entity, the Human Resources Manager does not independently:

• Hire or terminate employees.

• Issue disciplinary action.

• Direct or evaluate employees of participating districts.

• Make final determinations regarding employee grievances or complaints.

• Enter into agreements on behalf of a participating district.

• Modify collective bargaining agreements, employment contracts, or board policies.

• Commit a participating district to a particular personnel action.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, public administration, education administration, organizational leadership, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible human resources experience.

• Demonstrated experience in human resources administration, employee relations, workplace investigations, employment compliance, or a closely related field.

• Knowledge of federal and state employment laws and sound human resources practices.

• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive personnel matters with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to research complex personnel matters, analyze information, and provide practical recommendations.

• Ability to establish effective working relationships with superintendents, administrators, employees, governing boards, legal counsel, and external agencies.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and provide services to multiple organizations.
   

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Human resources experience in an Oregon public school district, education service district, public agency, or other public-sector organization.

• Knowledge of Oregon public-sector employment requirements and K-12 personnel practices.

• Experience working with collective bargaining agreements and representing employees.

• Experience conducting or supporting workplace investigations.

• Professional human resources certification, such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.

• Experience providing human resources consultation to multiple departments, locations, or organizations.
   

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
 

• Thorough knowledge of professional human resources principles and practices.

• Working knowledge of employment law, employee relations, workplace investigations, and personnel compliance.

• Ability to maintain neutrality and objectivity when addressing sensitive employee matters.

• Excellent judgment and the ability to recognize when an issue requires escalation or consultation with legal counsel.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust across multiple organizations.

• Ability to communicate difficult or complex information clearly and professionally.

• Strong organizational, analytical, documentation, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently while remaining accountable to established organizational authority.

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and appropriately manage sensitive information.

• Ability to balance consistency in human resources practices with the individual needs, policies, agreements, and governance structures of participating districts.
   

WORKING CONDITIONS

The position requires regular travel among Wallowa County ESD and participating school district locations. Work is primarily performed in an office and school environment and includes frequent interaction with administrators and employees. The position may occasionally require attendance at meetings outside normal business hours.
 

The Human Resources Manager routinely handles confidential, sensitive, and potentially contentious personnel matters and must maintain professionalism, neutrality, and discretion.
 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Duties generally require sitting, standing, walking, communicating in person and electronically, operating standard office equipment, and traveling between work locations.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
 

Salary, benefits, work year, and other conditions of employment shall be established by Wallowa County Education Service District.

EVALUATION

Performance of this position shall be evaluated by the Wallowa County ESD Director of Business Services/CFO in accordance with ESD policy and established procedures. Input regarding shared services may be obtained from participating district superintendents as appropriate.

NOTICE

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by the Human Resources Manager. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Wallowa County Education Service District may modify duties consistent with the needs of the ESD and participating districts.