Director of Human Resources

Classification: Full-time
Department: Administration

Work Location: District Headquarters (Mahomet, IL)
FSLA:  Exempt
IMRF: Eligible
Hours:  Work hours are based on operational needs but typically will be during regular business hours (Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:30pm) unless otherwise scheduled. Some evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required for attending Board meetings. Potential for flexible hours and hybrid work schedule.

Salary Range: $75,524 - $105,733

The Human Resources Director role at the Champaign County Forest Preserves offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the culture, systems, and people strategies of a mission-driven organization. Leading HR across all departments, you’ll directly influence how we attract, develop, and retain the ~130 talented individuals who preserve and enhance seven forest preserves covering over 4,000 acres. Our executive leadership team is deeply committed to fostering an environment where staff can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel valued for their work. In this role, your efforts will not only strengthen our workforce but will also advance our mission: to protect Champaign County’s natural and cultural resources and inspire people to care for, enjoy, and explore their natural world.

Position Summary

The Human Resources Director is responsible for all human resources functions of the organization.  This position develops and implements programs, policies, and procedures in the areas of recruitment, onboarding, benefits administration, compensation, employee relations and conflict resolution, inclusion practices, training and development, performance management, employee engagement, policy development and implementation, safety and wellness, records management, and compliance.

Supervisory Relationships

This position reports to the Executive Director and supervises one staff member, the HR Associate.

Job Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Oversees recruitment for all positions, including developing sourcing strategies, job postings, and advertising; partners with hiring managers to create interview questions and scoring rubrics; advises on hiring best practices; participates in interviews for supervisory and higher-level non-temporary roles as needed.
• Directs the design and delivery of onboarding and orientation programs, collaborating with department leaders to ensure a consistent, engaging, and compliant new hire experience that supports successful integration into the organization.
• Directs the Forest Preserves’ employee benefits program, including plan design in partnership with brokers, budget impact analysis with senior leadership, and the design and execution of open enrollment. Oversees eligibility, communication, enrollment, invoice verification, and vendor relations.
• Leads the Employee Engagement Committee in the development of employee recognition, staff events, and other engagement initiatives.
• Develops and implements personnel policies and procedures; reviews, researches, and updates policies and procedures as needed; ensures policies are consistently administered throughout the organization.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state and local employment-related laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Prepares and presents data-driven reports to the Board of Commissioners, providing clear, comprehensive analysis to guide policy and procedural decisions on issues of critical organizational impact.
• Oversees equitable application of the Forest Preserves’ established classification and compensation plan, ensuring consistency, fairness, and compliance with FLSA regulations. Evaluates positions using the Job Analysis Questionnaire to support accurate classification, appropriate compensation, and alignment with organizational strategy.
• Partners with supervisors in the development of job descriptions for all positions; assists with the review and revision of job descriptions as needed.
• Oversees the monitoring and managing of employee leaves of all types to ensure compliance with applicable policies and regulations.
• Develops and implements organization-wide training plan; facilitates or provides employee training on a variety of topics in accordance with plan.
• Provides coaching and guidance on employee relations issues; advises supervisors on disciplinary issues and participates in the progressive discipline process.
• Conducts investigations and documents findings; prepares recommendations for resolution of issues or grievances; and facilitates mediation sessions when needed.
• Serves on Strategy Team, helping to set organizational direction.
• Coordinates the Forest Preserves’ performance review process; updates evaluation tool(s) as necessary.
• Communicates with Forest Preserves’ legal counsel, Risk Management attorneys and Risk Management advisers on human resources issues to ensure legal compliance and mitigate liability.
• Supervises the management of personnel records, recruitment files, benefit documents, etc.
• Manages the Human Resources Information System (HRIS), providing daily user support, generating and analyzing reports, and administering configuration changes in time & attendance, user interfaces, and other applications to ensure maximum functionality and meet organizational needs.
• Performs short- and long-term HR planning in alignment with organizational goals, supporting the Forest Preserves’ strategic planning process. Reviews and evaluates plans, develops and implements initiatives, and contributes to establishing and achieving organizational goals and objectives.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the organizational values of Stewardship, Community, and Discovery by caring for our resources, fostering inclusive experiences, and inspiring curiosity through this position’s work.

Secondary Functions

• Maintains membership in professional organizations and participates in conferences, workshops, and classes.
• Develops and executes Forest Preserves’ wellness initiatives.
• Participates in and promotes Forest Preserves’ diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
• Administers employee surveys or collects feedback from employees to assess climate, culture, and employee engagement.
• Oversees the processing of workers compensation and unemployment claims. Serves as back-up for claims processing for accident and incident reporting.
• Develops and oversees Human Resources budget.
• Directs work and evaluates HR Associate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, organizational development, organizational psychology, or related field is preferred. SPHR, PHR, SHRM-SCP, or SHRM-CP certification is preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience working in human resources is required.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience to successfully perform the essential duties of the job will also be considered.
• Extensive knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and compliance standards as well as familiarity with current human resources trends and practices required. Prior experience supervising staff is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships throughout the staff, leadership and external constituents.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with individuals of all backgrounds and abilities to foster understanding and build trust
• Ability to help others resolve conflict.
• Ability to balance the needs of the organization with employee satisfaction.
• Ability to work independently; to exercise initiative and independent judgment in performance of duties; and to identify and solve problems as they arise.
• Must be highly organized and possess excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple priorities to meet deadlines, delegating work when appropriate.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations with good safety awareness and judgment; capable of maintaining self-control and composure in challenging or difficult situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in the performance of duties.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, particularly for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, is required. Prior experience with Paylocity or another HRIS is required.
• A valid driver's license and clean driving record is required within 6 months of hire.