Human Resources Director in Hardin, Montana at Distro

POSITION OVERVIEW The Human Resources Director serves as a strategic and operational leader overseeing all Human Resource functions across Big Horn County. Responsible for aligning human capital strategies with county policies and state/federal employment laws, this role manages full-lifecycle recruitment, labor relations, employee performance, compliance, and benefits administration.

The ideal candidate blends strong technical knowledge of public-sector employment regulations with exceptional empathy and interpersonal skills to foster a healthy, supportive, and compliant workplace culture. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & FUNCTIONAL DOMAINS

1. Strategic HR Leadership & Employee Relations (High Priority - Soft Skills) Serve as a trusted advisor to County Commissioners, Department Heads, and Elected Officials on personnel matters. Promote a supportive, inclusive, and cohesive workplace culture across all county departments. Review, investigate, and resolve employee grievances, workplace complaints, and Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) claims. Provide guidance and oversight on disciplinary proceedings, Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs), and terminations. Participate in collective bargaining and labor contract negotiations.

2. Compliance, Policy & Records Management Ensure strict compliance with state and federal labor regulations, including FMLA, ADA, FLSA, Workers' Compensation, and prevailing wage standards. Maintain and update the County Employee Handbook, job descriptions, and salary structures in alignment with changing labor laws. Oversee accurate personnel record-keeping within the HRIS and manage confidential drug and alcohol testing files. Ensure mandatory federal, state, and county employment posters and notices are properly displayed and maintained.

3. Recruitment, Talent Acquisition & Onboarding Oversee end-to-end recruitment and hiring processes in collaboration with department leads. Conduct pre-employment vetting, including background checks, drug screenings, and eligibility verifications. Direct new hire orientations and coordinate retention programs.

4. Benefits, Payroll Support & Operations Oversee benefits administration, employee open enrollment, and offboarding from benefit systems. Collaborate closely with the Payroll department to ensure seamless wage and benefit processing. Prepare annual salary and benefit expense projections for the Board of Commissioners. Manage safety, injury prevention, and workers' compensation follow-up programs. CANDIDATE REQUIREMENT PROFILE Minimum & Preferred Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required. Experience: 8+ years of progressive HR management experience preferred (open to public or private sector backgrounds). Certifications: HRCI (PHR/SPHR) or SHRM (SHRM-CP/SCP) certification strongly preferred. Driver's License: Valid driver's license with an insurable driving record required. Background Vetting: Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check and drug screening. Core Competencies & Skills Technical HR Knowledge: In-depth understanding of FMLA, ADA, FLSA, HRIS platforms, and labor negotiations. Interpersonal & Soft Skills: High emotional intelligence, conflict resolution capability, diplomacy, and tact. Software Proficiency: Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and public sector database management.

#HireFinder

#LI-PROMOTED

#LI-Onsite