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La Plata County, CO

Human Resource Director

JOB_REQUIREMENTS

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Salary

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Salary

$110,815.90 - $153,000.12 Annually

Location

La Plata County, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

01092026

Department

Human Resources

Opening Date

01/08/2026

Closing Date

2/8/2026 4:00 PM Mountain

Job Summary

Seeking a visionary & principled leader to direct the daily operations of the HR dept, act as a strategic partner to the organization. Works alongside the Finance Director to ensure fiscal responsibility & benefit stewardship. Navigates complex employee issues, employment law & compliance in conjunction with county attorneys. We are looking for a go-getter who balances a pragmatic, data-driven approach with an empathetic leadership style. You must possess the moral courage to uphold professional boundaries & the legal lens required to navigate high-stakes decision making. BA degree in HR Mgmt, Public Admin, Bus Admin or related field & 6 years of progressively responsible HR experience is req’d. La Plata County offers a professional environment where your expertise is valued and your leadership is integral to our mission. You will join a synergistic executive team dedicated to serving our community with transparency and efficiency.

Please include a cover letter and resume with your application.

Essential Job Functions

Essential functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible.

Plans, organizes, administers and directs the operation of the Human Resources Department, including the supervision of staff.

Answers questions on policy, procedure, and employment law from department heads and employees; counsels department heads/supervisors and ensures compliance with County policies, procedures, and State and Federal laws effecting employment such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), EEOC, ADA, FMLA and Fair Employment Practices.

Participates in resolving employees' grievances, counseling employees, and resolving disputes created by personnel actions.

Serves as the County’s EEO Officer.

Oversees the benefits programs and participates in the team review of proposals and recommendations to the BOCC for selection of a benefit package.

Administers and monitors employee benefit/insurance plans; compiles relevant information to analyze and research benefit options.

Compiles and analyzes data in processing reports for compensation and benefit reviews, EEOC and Worker's Compensation.

Monitors Workers' Compensation program; reviews claims as needed; monitors cost-effective management of claims; supervises preparation of Workers' Compensation annual premium audit and prepares invoices for work units.

Maintains the County's classification and compensation plan; makes recommendations for timely updates; maintains the official class specification library; and processes specification revisions.

Interviews and hires Human Resources staff; plans, schedules, and assigns work; establishes priorities; instructs and trains in correct methods and procedures; checks and approves work; reviews and evaluates employee performance, counsels employees.

Develops and oversees employee training programs designed to meet the identified needs of individuals, departments and the County; conducts training sessions as appropriate.

Supervises the completion of surveys such as fringe benefits, and salary information; prepares other reports as requested by the County Manager and the Board of County Commissioners.

Prepares department budget.

Oversees and monitors the recruitment and selection process; participates as a member of the interview panel as requested by Department Heads or Elected Official.

Reviews and analyzes national and local data on a variety of personnel administrative and legal issues.

Oversees the employee exit process upon separation or retirement; ensures compliance with County policies, procedures, and federal and state laws and regulations.

Coordinates and monitors the County drug and alcohol testing program.

Serves as ex-officio to sick leave bank board; processes all SLB requests and monitors usage.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Regular and predictable attendance is required.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

General Office and Computer Equipment.

Minimum Qualifications Required

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field; and,

Six or more years of progressively responsible experience; or,

Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:

None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of public human resource administration.

All applicable state, federal and local laws, rules and regulations.

Computer applications related to the work.

Benefits plan design and analysis and laws governing such plans.

Principles and practices of classification and compensation.

Basic accounting and budgeting processes.

Principles and practices of organizational development.

Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting and program budget development and implementation.

Administration of staff and activities, either directly or through subordinate supervision.

Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis and report presentation.

Principles and practices of mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

Skill in:

Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.

Analyzing and resolving office administrative situations and problems.

Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.

Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up assignments with a minimum of direction.

Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.

Communicating clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.

Planning, organizing, assigning, directing, reviewing and evaluating the work of staff.

Selecting and motivating staff and providing for their training and professional development.

Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.

Skill in counseling and training of management staff and employees in effective supervisory and personnel practices.

Ability to:

Ability to analyze a variety of personnel and management problems, and make recommendations for their solution, and to prepare working procedures.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.

Ability to facilitate meetings and problem solving sessions.

Ability to maintain a very high level of professionalism and confidentiality..

Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action Statement

La Plata County prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with La Plata County on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or genetic information.

La Plata County is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. La Plata County takes affirmative action to assure equal employment opportunity for protected classes, persons with disabilities and for covered veterans. Covered veterans include: special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Vietnam era veterans, or any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaignbadge was authorized.

Inquiries regarding La Plata County's equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to:

Director of Human Resources

1101 E 2nd Avenue

Durango, CO 81301

Tel: (970)382-6361

Fax: (970)375-7985

Email: HR@co.laplata.co.us

La Plata County offers an extensive comprehensive package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, paid parental leave and long term disability.

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