Salary: $52.50 Hourly
Location : Balsam Lake, WI
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202400847
Department: Human Resources
Opening Date: 08/15/2025
Closing Date: 8/29/2025 11:59 PM Central

Description
Reporting to the General Government Director, the Human Resource Director serves as the senior professional within the County, effectively displaying leadership characteristics, strategic thought and action, operational excellence, and organizational citizenship. The HR Director supervises the HR staff of three professionals.
Duties and Responsiblities

1.) Leadership

• As the County's senior HR professional, provides guidance on issues related to human resources to the County Administrator, General Government Director, and senior staff
• Gains and maintains the trust of employees, staff, and management
• Effectively represents Polk County in the broader HR community as a member of professional associations and workgroups

2.) Strategy

• In coordination with the General Government Director, develops forward-thinking human resource policy options and implements programs, procedures, and guidelines to help align the workforce with the strategic goals of the County
• Stays abreast of the benefits landscape, especially as these relate to the County's health plan, and makes recommendations for change as necessary
• Works with departmental leadership on organizational design and performance management
• Ensures the County is appropriately prepared for legal challenges related to HR

3.) Operations

• Administers compensation program and monitors the County's wage and benefit programs for compliance and accuracy
• Under the direction of the General Government Director, prepares, submits for approval, and administers the county's HR budget
• Ensures compliance with regulatory practices and various HR-related state and federal requirements
• With the assistance of staff and IT services, maximizes the utility of the County's Human Resources Information System and related systems
• Oversees the employee life cycle, including position development, recruitment, hiring process, performance management, and post-employment follow-up
• In coordination with the County Emergency Management Coordinator, administers the County's safety programs.

4.) Effective Organizational Interactions

• Supports the positive culture of Polk County Government
• Works collaboratively with stakeholders in the broader community
• Assists staff, employees, and managers with understanding and implementing the County's human resources policies and procedures

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Directly supervises employees in the Human Resources Department
Interview and make staff hiring recommendations
Sets management goals and objectives
Motivates and coaches' employees
Guides staff through changes in laws, processes, services or programs
Responds to grievances, discipline, termination or special issues
Conducts performance reviews

Marginal Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties as assigned
Qualifications

Education & Professional Experience:

Minimum qualifications:
1.) Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Management, Business Administration, or closely related field
2.) Five or more years of work experience at the HR Manage level
3.) Demonstrated knowledge of human resources best practices and principles

Preferred qualifications:
1.) Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Management, Business Administration, or closely related field
2.) Three or more years of work experience at the HR Director level. Demonstrated knowledge of public sector human resources practices and principles
3.) SHRM, HCRI, or PSHRA certification
Competency Requirements:

Superior Customer Service and Community Relations - Anticipates and strives to meet the needs of both internal and external stakeholders (employees, contracted staff, prospective employees, job applicants and other internal and external clientele). Delivers high-quality services; is committed to continuous improvement. Communicates/Interacts with employees and members of the public and other key stakeholders in a way that elicits positive response and participation, which on occasion, may include interaction either one-on-one or with several stakeholders at one time to present information and/or represent the County's or the Departments interest.

Integrity/Honestey - Contributes to maintain the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct, including appropriate confidentiality, and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.

Accountability - Assumes responsibility for successfully accomplishing work objectives and delivering results; setting high standards of performance for self and others.
Marketing and Strong Communication - Suggest strategies to meet the needs of the public and department as determined through analysis of data and research, and creativity design format and content of publications or communication products to work within a cohesive structure that optimally conveys the intended messages to target audiences with clarity and precision.
Organizational - Ability to effectively organize and manage work-and work-related activities.
Self-Management - Organizes and plans for task accomplishment in a way that maximizes efficient performance; establishes and adjusts priorities to ensure timely completion of assigned work/fulfill responsibilities.
Results Orientation - Maintains a focus on objectives to be achieved and acts accordingly to ensure their accomplishment. Remains focused on outcome and not process.
Leveraging Technology - Demonstrates proficiency in using on-line tools and business applications, creating and maintaining accurate data and communications, including, but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and specialist HRIS and related systems.

Minimum Skills Assessment Requirements: Must be capable of operating a personal computer using standard word processing, spreadsheet, and e-mail software. General knowledge as it related to web-based programs, demonstrated knowledge and skills in operation of HRIS system.
Certifications/Licenses/Registrations: SHRM or HCRI or similar certification preferred. Possession of a current valid Driver's License or has access to a regular source of transportation.
Additional Information

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
2025 Polk County - Exempt Fringe Benefit

Personal Time off (PTO)

Annual Front Load Hours

Start

152

3 - year anniversary

168

6 - year anniversary

208

10 - year anniversary

216

13 - year anniversary

256

15 - year anniversary

264

20 - year anniversary

272
**Personal Time Off (PTO) is frontloaded and prorated upon hire and a maximum of 380 hours

can carry over to the new accrual year.

Extended Leave Accrual at the rate of five (5) days annually (cap 20 days)

Holidays Ten (10) paid holidays per year

Short-term Disability 66 2/3% weekly wages from days 30-89, at cost to employee

Term Life Insurance One (1) times annual salary at no cost to employee

Supplemental Life available for employee, spouse, & children

Retirement - WRS Employee portion: 6.95%

Employer portion: 6.95%

Deferred Compensation Wisconsin Deferred Compensation - three (3) options for additional retirement savings (pre-tax)

Health Insurance Begins on the 1st of the month following date of hire

Health Partners - three (3) plan options to choose from

Other Insurances Dental, Vision, Long-Term Disability, Accident and Hospital

Flexible Spending Account Administered through WEX

(pre-tax dollars for medical expenses and daycare costs)

Employee Assistance ProgramHealth Partners confidential counseling services

Wellness ProgramEmployees selecting to participate in various wellness programs and

activities throughout the year my qualify for a monthly health insurance

premium reduction. A Fitness Center & 1/3-mile wooded walking trail

located at the Government Center available for staff enjoyment.

Tuition ReimbursementUp to $1,500 reimbursement for approved expenses per class; and a maximum

benefit of $3,000 annually