Chief People Officer

Salary:

Position Range: $159,985.00 - $221,456.00
Hiring Range: $180,476.000 - $211,212.000
Most applicants’ offers will fall within this hiring range based on qualifications, experience, and alignment with the role’s needs.

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Join the team that keeps the Tri-Cities moving!

OUR MISSION

Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) provides exceptional and cost-effective transportation services that consistently exceed customer expectations while promoting the principles and practices of livable communities and sustainable development.

OUR VALUES

We value customer service, collaboration, diversity, fiscal accountability, innovation, sustainability, and safety. Employees and representatives of BFT are expected to uphold our values and mission.

NATURE OF POSITION

Provides strategic leadership and oversight of Ben Franklin Transit’s (BFT) Human Resources and Labor Relations functions. Responsible for developing and executing people strategies that support organizational goals, including labor and employee relations, talent acquisition, classification and compensation, total rewards and benefits administration, and federally mandated drug and alcohol testing programs. Ensures organizational compliance with applicable employment laws, regulations, policies, and affirmative action requirements while fostering a high performing, engaged, and compliant workforce.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team on workforce planning, organizational design, employee relations, and culture initiatives.

• Provide leadership development and supervisory training programs to strengthen management capability and promote a positive workplace culture. Work with CEO on workplace succession planning.

• Support agency strategic planning initiatives by aligning workforce strategies with operational and long-term organizational goals.

• In collaboration with legal counsel, develop, review, revise, and implement HR policies/procedures to ensure compliance with applicable legal guidelines and alignment with agency culture and mission.

• Develop creative strategies to engage union leadership in a collaborative process; educate and inform the CEO on the status of negotiations; recommend proposals, settlement, and/or mediation/arbitration, as appropriate

• Develop and implement department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for staff and assigned areas of responsibility.

• Provide oversight to the Drug and Alcohol Program Manager/Designated Employer Representative; ensure agency and any covered contractors comply with applicable FTA and FRA regulations as it relates to the HR function and the drug and alcohol program.

• Direct process for all involuntary separations, including development of appropriate separation agreements for sensitive terminations in conjunction with Finance, Executive Leadership, and legal Counsel.

• Oversee all recruitment and retention programs with the goal of attracting and retaining high-caliber staff in support of BFT’s mission and strategic/business plans.

• Direct performance management programs and systems. Recommend improvements and enhancements to ensure alignment with agency mission and operational need.

• Oversee BFT’s compliance with conflict of interest, ethics requirements, and state-required training for supervisors and managers.

• Participate in the preparation of department annual budget and multiyear projections. Monitor expenses and recommends adjustments to achieve annual results within goals.

• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and inclusion consistent with the agency’s mission and public service responsibilities.

• Manage internal communication strategies with appropriate department leadership.

• Provide excellent customer service to all customers both internally and externally.

• Display and practice BFT’s Core Values in the workplace.

• Work with and maintain confidential information.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Understanding of human resources principles, practices, and methods.

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations governing human resources.

• Identify and implement practices and procedures of employment law, compensation, organizational planning, recruitment, employee relations, safety, training, and employee engagement and development.

• Business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resource modeling, leadership techniques, and coordination of people and resources.

• Provide continuous effort to improve operations; streamline work processes; work cooperatively throughout the agency to provide quality customer service.

• Learn new technologies, policies, procedures, and guidelines established by professional organizations and/or governing agencies.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

• Collaboration: Shares time and knowledge with others; adjusts priorities as circumstances dictate; follows through on commitment; accepts responsibility for actions; resolves interpersonal conflicts constructively.

• Diversity: Demonstrates an awareness and respect of cultural and individual values. Treats all people with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

• Fiscal Accountability: Actively contributes to the productivity of the agency; demonstrates good stewardship of company time and resources; displays high standards of ethical conduct.

• Customer Service: Anticipates the needs of internal and external customers; delivers quality work products and services within expected timeframes. Considers and responds appropriately to people in various situations.

• Innovation: Considers new approaches to situations; encourages ideas and improvements.

• Sustainability: Actively encourages environmental benefits and the conservation of natural resources.

• Safety: Adheres to safety-related laws, regulations, standards, and practices; performs work in a safe manner; encourages and supports others to be safe while at work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Human Resources, Organization Development, Industrial Psychology, Business Administration, or related field. 10 years of professional human resource work experience, including three to five years’ experience in a unionized environment. 5 years at an Executive/Senior level; or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

None

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree; PHR or SPHR or equivalent certification.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Generally sedentary in nature; occasionally stand and walk; intermittently kneel, stoop, bend, and twist at the waist, and reach overhead; sit for long periods of time. Rarely kneel, crouch, or crawl. Occasionally lift, push/pull, or carry up to 40 pounds. Good vision to read print and computer screen. Hear and speak to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to include repetitive keyboarding, grasping, and reaching to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and/or standard office equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is primarily performed in an office environment where noise, distractions, and lack of privacy may be present. Operate a motor vehicle. Occasional exposure to outdoor environment and weather when training.

If you want to give back to the community, consider hopping onboard the team that's going places!

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy