ORGANIZATION AND AREA INFORMATION: Nestled in the central part of Southeastern Arizona’s Gila Valley, the City of Safford is a thriving rural Arizona City. With a population of just over ten thousand, it is the largest municipality in Graham County. Incorporated as a town in 1901 and becoming a city in 1955, Safford has become the major hub for Southeastern Arizona. The City of Safford as an organization has multiple different departments and over 230 staff members including full time employees, seasonal employees, volunteer firefighters and councilmembers to staff all the different positions at the City. The City also provides all utilities for its residents and other residents in surrounding areas. In addition to the major utilities of gas, water, electric, sewer, and sanitation, the City has a landfill and airport that service the county.

SUMMARY:  Under limited direction, plans, organizes, directs and implements the activities of Human Resources, including but not limited to compensation and benefit programs, recruitment, selection, testing, position classification, ensures labor law compliance and employee relations programs.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISITICS: This is a high level executive management job class overseeing the City’s Human Resources function and reports to the City Manager.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Works closely with the City Manager/Executive Team to define and accomplish established strategic goals and objectives and execute successful business plans.
• Provides technical advice to City Manager/Executive Team on issues relating to Human Resource and employment, ensuring compliance with local, state and federal ordinances, regulations and laws.  These areas include but are not limited to; ADA, FMLA, HIPAA, FLSA, EEO, USSERA, etc.
• Effectively manages and supervises the daily operation of the Human Resource Department, ensuring the goals and objectives of the department are efficiently met.  
• Communicates with personnel about matters relating to Human Resources and their employment; interpreting and explaining complex regulations and laws into an easily understood manner both verbally and in writing. This includes maintaining and keeping current the City of Safford Human Resources Manual.  
• Implements and administers an organization-wide development training for current and future supervisors in the organization.  
• Manages the internal and external posting of position vacancies in the organization.  This includes the recruitment, screening and selection of applicants while maintaining the integrity of the selection process.
• Manages the termination of employees and enforces disciplinary sanctions relating to staff conduct and performance issues.  
• Responsible for position classification and pay setting analysis.        
• Acts as a primary liaison between the organization and benefit providers.         
• Coordinates benefit enrollments for medical, dental, life, vision, flexible benefit plans, retirement, sick, vacation and holiday pay, worker’s compensation, etc.
• Acts on behalf of the City as the primary trustee (voting member) of the Rural Arizona Group Health Trust (RAGHT).
• Manages the finances of the department, ensuring department purchasing and procurement follow policies and procedures.
• Performs the duties of Risk Management Officer for the organization.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education, Experience, Certifications and Licenses:

• High School diploma or equivalent GED certificate, or equivalent experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Public Administration or a related field, and; 
• Five (5) years’ work experience in Human Resources within a minimum of one (1) year having been served in the capacity of a supervisor.
• (OR)
• An equivalent combination of 10 (ten) years of training and work experience in the public sector that provides the required knowledge and skills with a minimum of one (1) year having been served in the capacity of a supervisor, and;  
• Certification as a Professional in Human Resources or similar certification.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge, skill and ability to interpret and apply all city, state and federal laws, court decisions, administrative rulings, regulations and ordinances that pertain to Human Resource matters.
• Knowledge of public personnel management and administration; position analysis and classification development; benefits administration and techniques.
• Knowledge of principles, practices and methods of management and supervision.
• Knowledge of budget preparation, bid and purchasing procedures and expense control.
• Ability to maintain composure, utilizing tact and diplomacy when working under stressful conditions and emergency situations.
• Skill in effectively supervising, leading and delegating tasks and authority.
• Skill in reviewing and preparing narrative and statistical reports and records.
• Skill in operating a personal computer and software applications.
• Skill in interpreting, following and effectively communicating verbal and written instructions.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals from various social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability in maintaining confidentiality of information.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS & CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here 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.

• Work is routinely performed in an office environment with occasional exposure to inclement weather, and varying temperatures.
• Subject to standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, kneeling, running, and occasional lifting of objects up to 50 pounds.

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EOE