Commissioner of Human Resources (Unclassified)

Salary: $127,245.00 - $177,245.00 Annually
Location : Human Resources Department- City Hall Room 1001, NY
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: Posting
Department: HUMAN RESOURCES
Opening Date: 11/10/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Fee: $0.00

RESIDENCE: Residence is a requirement for all positions. In the absence of clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, an applicant shall be deemed a non-resident if he/she cannot show ninety (90) days of continuous and uninterrupted residence in the City of Buffalo prior to filing application. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ANYONE APPLYING FOR THE BUFFALO POLICE ENTRY LEVEL EXAMINATION. NO RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT-SUMMER LIFEGUARDS: Due to the nationwide lifeguard shortage, residency is NOT a requirement for the seasonal lifeguard position in the City of Buffalo. Applicants from any nearby municipality are encouraged to apply.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BUFFALO MANDATE CONTINUOUS RESIDENCY IN THE CITY DURING YOUR EMPLOYMENT, EXCEPT FOR POSITIONS SPECIFICALLY EXEMPT UNDER STATE LAW.

FEE: WHERE INDICATED, A NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR APPLICATION VIA CHECK, CASH OR MONEY ORDER (If using check for payment, your check must clear to complete processing.)

Check with Civil Service office for fee waiver info.
Distinguishing Features of the Class
***ATTENTION APPLICANTS: Please submit cover letters and resumes to the following email address with your contact information for consideration ***

The Commissioner of Human Resources serves as the City's chief administrative and executive officer for all human resources and personnel matters. The Commissioner is responsible for directing, coordinating, and overseeing the City's civil service administration, recruitment, employee training and development, performance management, compensation, benefits, and equal employment opportunity programs. The Commissioner shall also partner with labor relations on all matters related to performance management, discipline, and implementation of new contract provisions.

The Commissioner shall ensure that human resources policies and practices are administered consistently, fairly, and efficiently in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, the New York State Civil Service Law, the Buffalo City Charter and Administrative Code, and existing collective bargaining agreements.

The Commissioner shall report directly to the Mayor and work collaboratively with City department commissioners and other officials to maintain a qualified, effective, and professional municipal workforce.

Examples of work (Illustration Only)
The Commissioner of Human Resources shall:

1. Exercise the duties and powers of a municipal civil service commission as provided by the New York State Civil Service Law, to the extent legally authorized.
2. Oversee all City personnel matters, including recruitment, examinations, appointments, promotions, classifications, and employee records.
3. Consult and partner with the Corporation Counsel and the Director of Labor Relations in the administration of the City's collective bargaining agreements.
4. Oversee employee training, professional development, workforce planning, and retention programs.
5. Develop and implement a uniform employee performance review system and a merit-based compensation framework, to the fullest extent permitted by law, available appropriations, and existing collective bargaining agreements.
6. Administer City compensation, employee benefits, and applicable leave programs.
7. Coordinate and oversee City-wide affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance programs.
8. Enforce employee residency requirements established by state and local law.
9. Develop and maintain consistent personnel policies, procedures, and administrative practices throughout City government.
10. Advise the Mayor and department commissioners on personnel administration, workforce management, labor relations, civil service, compensation, and employee relations matters.

LABOR RELATIONS AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

The Commissioner shall partner with the Corporation Counsel and the Director of Labor Relations to support the negotiation of all collective bargaining agreements, as well as the administration of employee performance evaluations and discipline procedures.

Collective Bargaining Agreement Reporting Requirement:

The Commissioner of Human Resources shall, no later than sixty (60) calendar days after the execution of a collective bargaining agreement, prepare a report stating the total estimated costs and budgetary and economic impact of such agreement, and file same within said period with the Common Council.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND COMPENSATION

The Commissioner shall formulate, implement, and maintain a uniform employee performance review system and develop a merit-based compensation system for City employees, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law and existing collective bargaining agreements.

The Commissioner shall work with the commissioners of each City department to establish appropriate performance standards, templates, evaluation procedures, and measurable objectives. The Commissioner shall also develop recommendations for linking employee performance, professional development, and compensation where legally permissible.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The Commissioner shall supervise and coordinate Citywide employee training (including but not limited to all mandatory training), professional development, supervisory training, and workforce planning initiatives.

The Commissioner shall administer and oversee the City's compensation and benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement-related benefits, leave administration, and other employee benefits, in accordance with applicable laws and collective bargaining agreements.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND COMPLIANCE

The Commissioner shall coordinate and oversee Citywide programs to ensure compliance with affirmative action requirements, equal employment opportunity laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other applicable nondiscrimination and accessibility requirements.

The Commissioner shall also develop and administer procedures to monitor and enforce employee residency requirements established by state and local law.

DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION AND COORDINATION

The Commissioner shall provide leadership, direction, and oversight of the Department of Human Resources, including departmental personnel, operations, budget preparation, expenditures, and administrative functions.

The Commissioner shall work with the commissioners of all City departments to implement consistent human resources policies and programs, provide guidance on personnel matters, monitor compliance, and address departmental workforce needs.

The Commissioner shall maintain appropriate personnel records, workforce data, and reporting systems and provide the Mayor and other authorized City officials with information and recommendations concerning significant human resources matters.

Minimum Qualifications
The Commissioner of Human Resources shall have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, and shall have a minimum of five (5) years of senior human resource management experience.

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferred qualifications include a master's degree from a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field; experience directing a municipal or other public-sector Human Resources department; and at least ten years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, personnel administration, labor relations, or a related field, of which at least five years of experience in a senior management, executive, or departmental leadership role.

Additional Information
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY

The Commissioner shall serve as an ex officio member of the Citizens Salary Review Commission and provide relevant compensation information, technical assistance, and administrative support within the Commissioner's lawful authority.

Additionally, the Commissioner should be prepared to take on important special projects that ensure the Department of Human Resources is operating in a modern, 21st century workplace environment. Examples of special projects include updated job descriptions, streamlining the hiring and onboarding process, annually reviewing and revising the employee handbook, issuing employee policies (e.g. social media policy), and proposing or recommending changes to the department's organizational design and operation.

The Commissioner shall perform all duties in accordance with applicable laws, the City Charter and Administrative Code, and established City policies. Nothing in this position description shall supersede the lawful authority of the Mayor, Common Council, appointing authorities, or other City officials; authorize unilateral changes to collective bargaining agreements; or permit expenditures beyond authorized appropriations.

The Commissioner shall perform such other duties and responsibilities as may be lawfully assigned by the Mayor or otherwise established by applicable law.
***ATTENTION APPLICANTS: Please submit cover letters and resumes to the following email address with your contact information for consideration ***
The City of Buffalo's benefit package is designed to give our employees and their love one's, comfort, safety, and stability they need in serving our community each and every day.

Our offerings include:

-Medical and vision, Dental, Life Insurance (basic) and (supplemental)

-New York State Retirement System

-Deferred Compensation Plan

-Employee Assistance Program for employee/family members

-Flexible Spending Accounts

-Liberal holidays & vacation

-Growth Opportunities and Steady earnings potential