Assistant Human Resources Director

The City of Ottawa is recruiting for an Assistant Human Resources Director.

Position Summary

The Assistant Human Resources Director performs advanced professional human resources work and provides support for operational leadership of the Human Resources Department. This position independently administers major human resources programs while assisting the Human Resources Director in planning, directing, coordinating, and evaluating the City's comprehensive human resources services.

The Assistant Human Resources Director serves as both a strategic partner and working leader, exercising considerable independent judgment in the administration of employee relations, talent acquisition, total rewards programs, workers' compensation, risk management, safety, policy administration, organizational compliance, and special projects. The position develops recommendations, supports implementation of strategic initiatives, and performs complex professional human resources functions while supporting and ensuring efficient day-to-day department operations.

The Assistant Human Resources Director serves as Acting Human Resources Director in the Director's absence and represents the department with department directors, employees, external agencies, and the public as assigned.

Department Operations & Leadership

• Assists in planning, organizing, and evaluating Human Resources Department operations.
• Develop and recommend improvements to departmental policies, procedures, business processes and service delivery.
• Participates in developing departmental goals, objectives, strategic initiatives, and performance measurements.
• Assists with preparation and administration of the departmental budget.
• Serves as Acting Human Resources Director in the Director's absence.

Employee Relations & Organizational Development

• Serves as a trusted advisor, with oversight by the Human Resources Director, to department directors and supervisors regarding employee relations, policy interpretation, performance management, and workplace issues.
• Participate in succession planning, leadership development, employee engagement, and organizational development initiatives.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Support:

• Coordinates talent acquisition initiatives including job postings, outreach efforts, candidate tracking, interview scheduling, onboarding logistics, and pre-employment activities in collaboration with the Human Resources Representative.
• Participates in workforce retention, workforce planning and succession planning initiatives.
• Coordinates onboarding activities and employee orientation processes to support successful integration of new employees in collaboration with the Human Resources Representative.

Total Rewards, Leave & Wellness Administration:

• Administers employee total rewards programs including enrollments, qualifying life events, wellness initiatives, COBRA coordination, and annual open enrollment support in collaboration with the Human Resources Representative.
• Assists with performance management, compensation, and classification review activities.
• Provides oversight of FMLA and other leave programs.
• Serves as liaison with benefit providers, brokers, and employees regarding plan administration and eligibility questions.

Risk Management

• Assists in coordinating property and casualty insurance renewals, claims administration, and property schedules.
• Coordinates the identification of operational risks and recommends mitigation strategies.
• Assists in collaboration with brokers, adjusters, and legal representatives.

Workers' Compensation Administration

• Administers the City’s workers’ compensation program from initial injury through claim closure with oversight by Human Resources Director.
• Communicates with insurance carriers, third-party administrators and medical providers.
• Administers return-to-work and modified duty programs.
• Monitor claims, identifies trends, and recommends loss reduction strategies.

Safety & Loss Prevention

• Assists in coordinating the City's Safety Committee.
• Supports in the development and maintenance of safety policies and procedures.
• Coordinates employee safety training.
• Participates in workplace inspections, safety audits, and accident investigations.
• Monitors OSHA, KMU, KERIT, and regulatory compliance making appropriate recommendations.

Compliance & Policy Administration

• Assists in monitoring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Assists with development and maintenance of personnel policies and the employee handbook.
• Conducts HR compliance reviews and audits as directed by the Human Resources Director.

Ancillary Job Functions:

• Comply with all organizational policies and applicable employment laws.
• Assists departments with HR operational support and documentation routing as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a closely related field required.

Experience

Minimum of 8 to 10 years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience. Demonstrated experience in employee relations, employment law, talent acquisition, total rewards, compliance, performance management, and organizational development. Experience administering workers' compensation, workplace safety programs, and organizational risk management. Public sector or municipal human resources experience strongly preferred. Experience leading organizational initiatives, cross-functional projects, and process improvement efforts preferred.

Certifications

Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, PHR, PSHRA-CP, or equivalent is preferred. Valid driver's license required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Thorough knowledge of human resources principles, employment law, employee relations, total rewards, workers' compensation, risk management and workplace safety. Advanced proficiency in ERP and benefit administration systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office 365 applications. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in sensitive situations. Ability to exercise sound judgment, independently manage, as assigned, complex HR programs, communicate effectively, build collaborative relationships, analyze issues, and foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement. Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Abilities:

(Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions) Must be able to sit for extended periods of time. Must be able to talk, hear, grasp, stand, walk, drive, reach with hands/arms, stoop, kneel, and crouch. Must be able to have repetitive wrist/hand/finger movement and manual dexterity. Must have precise hand-eye coordination, clarity of vision, and ability to identify/distinguish colors. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds. Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.

Range:

$100,443.20 - $140,628.80

Date Opened:

September 21, 2026

Date Closed:

October 21, 2026

Hours:

8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Monday through Friday.

Residency:

Regular full-time employees are required to establish and maintain residency within a driving distance of 35 miles of Ottawa City Hall within one year from hire.

E-Mail Confirmation:

After your application has been received by the City of Ottawa, you will receive confirmation by e-mail. Please check your SPAM filter or JUNK Mail. If you have not received confirmation within 48 hours of submitting your application, please call 785-229-3634 to verify application has been received. For additional information, contact Human Resources at 785-229-3634 or e-mail humanresources@ottawaks.gov.

Anyone with a disability who needs reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at 785-229-3634 at least two days prior to a scheduled test or interview.

The City of Ottawa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.