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To apply: email resume, letter of interest, and 3 professional references (including a present or former supervisor) to Michael Goodrich: [email protected]

Job posting close date: November 2nd, 2020

Job Summary:
The Greater Portland Transit District (METRO) is seeking a highly qualified Human Resource Director to lead and direct the routine functions of the Human Resources (HR) department including recruiting, selecting and onboarding qualified staff, administering benefits and employee leave programs, enforcing agency policies and practices, and building a healthy and productive work environment. Applicants are advised that the HR Director is currently the single employee comprising the department. The individual holding this position will perform the full range of HR duties and activities.

Agency Background
Metro is a southern Maine public transit agency that provides transit services to the municipalities of Brunswick, Falmouth, Freeport, Gorham, Portland, South Portland, Westbrook and Yarmouth. The agency employs approximately 100 employees which includes approximately 70 Bus Operators, 15 maintenance employees and 15 administrative/management employees. The agency’s service is considered critical infrastructure and operates seven days a week between the hours of 5am-midnight and operates 44 heavy duty diesel and CNG buses. The agency’s annual budget is $13 million. Annual ridership prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was 2.1 million boardings.

Bus Operator and Maintenance employees are covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, currently in year one of a three-year agreement. Metro utilizes an automated payroll system that was implemented in 2019 from Tyler Technologies. While the payroll function resides in the Finance Department, there is significant cross-departmental teamwork needed between HR and Finance.

Reports to: Executive Director

Supervisory Responsibilities
The HR Director does not supervise any staff presently. Subject to available budget, Metro will be seeking to add HR support staff as part of its 2022 fiscal year. Should support staff be funded and hired, the HR Director will have the following supervisory duties.

• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains new staff in the department.
• Oversees the daily workflow of the department.
• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations.
• Handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.
• Facilitates professional development, training, and certification activities for HR staff.

Duties/ Responsibilities

• Administers and oversees benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, STD/LTD, FMLA, and Worker’s compensation; provides direct, frequent and highly supportive assistance to employees in accessing and navigating benefits programs; manages contracts with brokers/carriers to ensure employee coverages and costs are optimized.
• Collaborates with senior leadership to understand the organization’s goals and strategy related to staffing, recruiting, and retention. Manages the talent acquisition process, which includes recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and orientation of qualified job applicants, particularly for non-exempt Bus Operators, Fleet Mechanics, and professional roles; collaborates with departmental managers to understand skills and competencies required for openings.
• Plans, leads, develops, coordinates, and implements policies, processes, training, initiatives, and surveys to support the organization’s human resource compliance and strategy.
• Provides support and guidance to employees, management, and other staff when complex, specialized, and sensitive questions and issues arise; required to administer and execute routine tasks in delicate circumstances such as providing reasonable accommodations, investigating allegations of wrongdoing, and terminations.
• Provides direction and support to supervisors in the implementation of disciplinary matters, disputes and investigations, performance and talent management, productivity, recognition and employee morale, occupational health and safety, and training and development.
• Develop and coordinate implementation of agency-wide training and professional development (coordinated with the Safety-Training Manager).
• Administers and oversees the agency’s compensation program (excluding payroll processing) including the preparation of salary studies, approval pay increases, adjustments, and reclassifications; creates and maintains the agency’s pay plan.
• Conducts research and analysis of organizational trends including review of reports and metrics from the agency’s available management information systems (HRIS) or talent management systems (e.g., Indeed, LinkedIn).
• Maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices and advises management staff and supervisors accordingly; manages regular updates of the agency's personnel policies and develop methods to communicate and train staff on policies and expectations.
• Administer and directly implements the agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity program, Drug and Alcohol Testing Program for safety sensitive employees, and other federal compliance programs.
• Participates in the development of the agency's annual operating budget, primarily providing information related to employee benefits costs.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Superior interpersonal skills with ability to work productively/positively with colleagues at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct oneself with a high degree of professionalism, tact and diplomacy.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills; must be able to confront challenges with realism but have a positive and forward-thinking mindset aimed at constructive solutions to problems.
• Strong ability to effectively manage a wide range of HR duties, tasks and projects.
• Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws, regulations and best practices.
• Excellent organizational skills including attention to detail, time management, a proven ability to meet deadlines, and the ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate/outsource when appropriate.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Knowledge of the transportation industry is a plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Human Resources Information Systems: knowledge of Tyler Technologies’ Munis software is a plus.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• At least five years of human resource management experience required.
• SPHR, PHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP highly preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

Salary and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $105,000. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be based on individual’s experience, education and qualifications. Metro offers health, dental, vision and life insurance, and participates in both Social Security and Inter City Management Association (ICMA) pension systems. Employees contribute to all benefits except basic life coverage.