Description

OBJECTIVE

THE INTENT OF THIS POSITION DESCRIPTION IS TO PROVIDE A REPRESENTATIVE SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR DUTIES AND 
RESPONSIBILITIES PERFORMED BY INCUMBENT(S) IN THIS POSITION. INCUMBENT(S) MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM 
ALL DUTIES IN THIS DESCRIPTION AND INCUMBENT(S) MAY BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM POSITION-RELATED TASKS OTHER 
THAN THOSE SPECIFICALLY LISTED IN THIS DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, oversees, manages, administers, and supervises all aspects of the City of 
Palestine’s human resources operations including: administration of health, disability, retirement, leave benefits, 
risk, and emergency management; compliance with regulatory guidelines for both Civil Service and non-Civil 
Service employees; and directs Human Resources projects related to the coordination, development, and 
implementation of policies and procedures for employee benefits, to include but not limited to, Patient Protection 
and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), FLSA, COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA, PWFA, and ADA programs. This position will 
supervise staff in Human Resources and provide guidance to City Council, the Senior Management Team, managers 
and employees on policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include, but are not limited to, the 
following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. (This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a 
comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

• Participates as a critical member of the City’s Senior Management Team.
• Oversees hiring and training process for all City employees.
• Annually reviews and makes recommendations for improvement of the City’s policies, procedures, and 
  practices regarding personnel matters.
• Maintains responsibility for City’s compliance with federal, state, and local legislation pertaining to all Civil 
  Service and non-Civil Service personnel matters.
• Communicates changes in the City’s personnel policies and procedures and ensures that proper 
  compliance is followed.
• Monitors and documents the use of time from the sick leave pool for all City employees; verifies proper 
  coding of hours to ensure compliance with handbook policies.
• Answers questions pertaining to health, retirement, and leave policies and procedures for all employees. 
• Responds to and resolves inquiries while troubleshooting and addressing escalating issues.
• Implements the review, preparation, and administration of the City’s salary and benefits programs
  including the annual budget process and future forecasting using personnel data.
• Manage and coordinate employee leave programs including FMLA, Sick Leave Pool, and Military Leave 
  under USERRA. Assist with monitoring Military Leave Pool in accordance with Chapter 143 of the Local Government Code for Police and Fire personnel. 
• Acts as Civil Service Director and maintains all Civil Service records and administers all testing. 
• Provides support as needed to the Civil Service Commission, including but not limited to: proctoring and 
  grading Civil Service entrance and promotional exams, scheduling meetings, preparing notices for 
  publication for exams and reading materials for exams and other duties as necessary.
• Designs benefit and salary surveys to send to other agencies.
• Consults with legal counsel as needed regarding personnel matters.
• Works directly with department directors, managers, and employees to assist them with personnel 
  matters.
• Recommends, evaluates, develops, and provides employee training and leadership development for the 
  organization.
• Develops and maintains a human resources information system that meets the City’s personnel needs.
• Supervises the staff of the human resources department and manages departmental budget.
• Communicates with elected officials regarding personnel issues.
• Directs and administers the risk/emergency management including the City’s safety program to limit City 
  liability and reduce employee injury. Serves as Risk Manager for the City.
• Administers Worker’s Compensation for the City.
• Maintains all insurance information for all City property. 
• Responsible for entering all personnel and payroll changes into system.
• Manages Child Support deductions for all employees. 
• Manages confidentiality standards for Human Resources records.
• Maintains and administers access security to all City buildings and gates. 
• Maintains and administers fuel pump access for all City employees.
• Administers access to Fastenal, issues supplies and equipment for departments.

 OTHER IMPORTANT JOB FUNCTIONS

• Knowledge of applicable local, state and Federal statutes, rules, codes, regulations, requirements, I-9 
  requiremensts, City of Palestine policies and procedures, and other governing documents.
• Knowledge in administering FMLA, ADA, PWFA, and FLSA and state employment statutes.
• Knowledge of the purposes, techniques, and problems of personnel administration.
• Knowledge of recruitment, job evaluations, training, employee relations, benefits, risk/emergency 
  management, and office equipment.
• Skill in developing and presenting written and oral reports, findings and recommendations.
• Ability to direct, control, and plan operations involving the activities of others or the processes with which 
  others are involved.
• Knowledge of intergovernmental relations and the legislative process.
• Knowledge of the principles of file and personnel records management and retention.
• Skill in reading, understanding, interpreting, and applying a variety of complex, often conflicting 
  informational sources, operational policies, procedures, guidelines, and directives.
• Skill in assessing and analyzing complex, often conflicting priorities and making recommendations based 
  upon information available.
• Skill in developing and maintaining effective working relations with other city departments, personnel, 
  contractors, vendors, the general public, news media and others having business with the City of 
  Palestine.
• Skill in developing and interacting with subordinates including conflict resolution. 
• Working knowledge of employment laws and other compliance issues.
• Ability to listen and probe to understand underlying needs and/or root cause of an issue.
• Ability to provide thoughtful, progressive, and strategic guidance.
• Expertise in analysis, critical decision making, project management, and process improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and solve practical problems.
• Outstanding judgement, sensitivity, and high discretion.
• Skill in operating a computer utilizing a variety of software applications.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Public Administration or closely related field or seven 
  to ten years of progressively responsible positions in human resources, or closely related areas of 
  responsibilities that included at least five years of staff management and/or supervisory responsibilities.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Must possess a Valid Texas motor vehicle driver’s license.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES PREFERRED

• Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources (SPHR);
• Society for Human Resources Management – Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP); or
• International Public Management Association – Human Resources Senior Certified Professional (IPMASCP)

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Must pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check. Employees are subject to random drug/alcohol 
testing throughout their employment.
Some travel may be required for training. 
Must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record .
Maintains regular required attendance.
Performs other duties as assigned or required.
This position may be required to work outside the hours of 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Meeting attendance may be 
mandatory.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Employees in Essential Services Positions will be required to provide services in the course and scope of their 
employment for the benefit of the public during emergency situations that threaten the safety of Palestine’s 
citizens.
This job description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required. 
City management has exclusive rights to alter this job description at any time without notice. Employees will be 
required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any 
person authorized to give instructions or assignments. This document does not create an employment contract, 
implied or otherwise, other than an 'at-will' relationship.
The City of Palestine affords equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, 
gender, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation or other protected status.

Your application is part of the review process; be sure it is complete. If attaching a resume, all information 
requested on the application form must also be completed (i.e. writing “see resume” is not sufficient)