Chief Human Resources Officer

To apply for this position, submit application at: CHRO Application Link - CLICK HERE

Are you looking for an exceptional Human Resources leadership opportunity that provides a top-notch total rewards package including paid vacation &sick leave, outstanding health &dental insurance, onsite health clinic for you & your dependents, a generous retirement plan with match, and much more? Travis County is looking for an experienced Chief Human Resource Officer to join the Team! This position is eligible for Telework; in-office as needed.

Travis County is guided by an unwavering commitment to equity, fairness, respect, financial sustainability, operational excellence and innovation. How do we do it? We ensure that our values of equity, fairness and respect, financial sustainability, operational excellence, and leadership in innovation are reflected in our service to the Travis County
community!

In this role, you will serve as a strategic advisor and transformational leader responsible for delivering comprehensive Human Resources programs that directly support organizational effectiveness across the entire county. The position partners closely with Elected and Appointed Officials, Department Heads, leadership teams, and employees, including retirees, to provide expert consultation and tailored HR solutions that align with organizational objectives and legal requirements. The next CHRO will have the opportunity to establish a clear vision for the department, build a culture of accountability and continuous improvement and create systems and processes that deliver reliable, consistent, professional service to internal and external customers. 

The Department has an annual budget for FY26 of $142,339,535 and a great team of 38 employees to include Organizational Culture, Total Rewards (Compensation and Employee Benefits), Talent Planning and Engagement, Organizational Compliance and the Employee Health Clinic. Employee and retiree health benefits are self-funded and administered by the Benefits Team.

• Advises, consults and collaborates with Elected and Appointed Officials, Department Heads, department management, and employees, including retirees, on alternatives to meet their objectives related to assorted Human Resources policies and operational procedures, including personnel actions, reorganizations, classification changes, targeted recruitment, employee relations and discipline, employee benefits, risk management, health and safety.
• Administers and directs comprehensive Human Resources programs, services and activities to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, practices, and State, Federal and Local laws, policies and statutes.
• Approves and administers personnel actions (staffing, development, coaching and performance management) for departmental staff.
• Formulates and recommends policies, procedures, and practices to implement Human Resources programs and services.
• Plans, develops, recommends and implements Human Resources management programs and services.  Initiates Human Resources program development, design and evaluation efforts to continuously enhance operational processes and procedures, in accordance with Human Resources best practices and employment legislation, into new and improved programs and services that meet short and long-range countywide organizational needs.
• Plans, organizes and directs tasks and projects by applying research and assessment, and cost benefit analysis methodologies for outcomes that support deliberations on program and budget related policy decisions, e.g., wage and salary studies, ad hoc classification reviews, health benefits and pay for performance plans.  Develops and administers related implementation parameters in executing innovative solutions.
• Collaborates on complex tasks and project focused work groups that may comprise one or a combination of cross-functional entities, including legal, purchasing, auditor, payroll, budget, labor union, department Human Resources managers and employee representatives.
• Presents technical information clearly and logically in a manner that is easily understood to Commissioners Court, various and diverse audiences.
• Directs the administration of the total rewards program, classification and compensation and performance management programs and services to facilitate recruitment, employee development and retention of a productive workforce.  Ensures compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Directs the administration of staffing, training, employee relations programs and services, such as Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), organizational development and employee assistance programs.
• Directs the administration of employment investigations programs and services as requested by Elected/Appointed Officials.
• Directs the administration of Human Resource Information Systems programs and services.
• Directs the administration of group insurance employee and retiree benefits, wellness clinic, risk management, owner controlled insurance programs, health and safety, and Americans with Disabilities Act programs and services.
• Develops departmental strategic plans, work plans, work activities, projects and programs, monitors workflow and, budgets, reviews and evaluates work products, and performance measures.
• Approves expenditures and manages departmental budget, additional resources, personnel, and equipment and facilities.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration or a directly related field AND eight (8) years of increasingly responsible experience in a Human Resources, including four (4) years of mid- to senior level supervisory or management experience.

Preferred:

• Master's/advanced degree in Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration (MPA), Human Resources-related field (MA/MS), or
•  Juris Doctorate (JD);  
• Professional certifications such as Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR); or
• Professional in Human Resources Certification (PHR) a plus.  

• All areas of public and/or private sector Human Resources management.
• Management and supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Recent Human Resources developments and current literature.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines relating to the field, including: Title VII, Civil Rights Act; Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA); Public Information Act; Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO); Equal Pay Act; Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA); Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA); Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); American with Disabilities Act (ADA); Immigration and Reform Act; Texas Workers Compensation; TX Commission on Human Rights; TX Workforce Commission; Department of Labor/Wage and Hour Division.
• Labor relations methods and practices.
• State and local government budget, planning, systems, documents, issues, and trends.
• Negotiating and coordinating changes to Human Resources rules, policies and procedures.
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and local Human Resource Management Associations.
• Human Resources Publications and information sources.
• Budget preparation and office management.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

• Improving seamless customer service delivery.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with the Commissioners Court, Elected/Appointed Officials, citizens groups, community, other county employees, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.
• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Leadership development.
• Collaboration and teambuilding.
• Meeting management.
• Delivering change management initiatives.
• Negotiating and coordinating changes to Human Resources rules, policies and procedures.
• Collaborating with Officials and staff outside a direct line of authority.
• Developing, implementing, interpreting, applying and ensuring compliance with Human Resources policies and procedures per laws, rules, regulations, and codes.
• Contract management and project management.
• Working with Executive Management, and Elected and Appointed Officials.
• Developing strategic plans, budgets, and programmatic evaluation tools.
• Developing creative programs and solutions to address county needs.
• Developing Human Resources policies, total reward compensation and benefit systems, and employee relations/staff development programs.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Operating a variety of modern office equipment, including a computer.
• Explaining complicated technical problems in simple non-technical language.
• Both verbal and written communication.

• Direct, motivate, train, develop and evaluate staff.
• Direct, plan, organize and implement department programs, functions, operations and activities.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate the work of others through subordinates.
• Make appropriate and effective public presentations.
• Provide management, administration, organizational leadership and team building.
• Manage and prioritize projects and activities.
• Initiate and lead.
• Think independently.
• Accept responsibility.
• Exercise sound judgment and make decisions.
• Perform technical research, calculations and computations, and prepare plans and reports.
• Convey complex ideas and concepts verbally and in writing.
• Plan, assign, supervise, train and evaluate the work of professional and administrative support staff.
• Communicate goals to a wide and diverse audience.
• Mediate and resolve employee grievances and differences at all levels externally and internally to the Human Resources department.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Evaluate Human Resources problems and issues and recommend effective technical solutions.
• Perform in a fast-paced and stressful environment, while maintaining a professional manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County Executives, Commissioners Court and staff, Elected and Appointed Officials, Attorneys, Judges, all levels of management, other Department Heads, union representatives, departmental clientele, contractors, representatives of outside agencies and providers, other County employees and Officials, and the public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 15-20 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment.  Subject to standing, walking, carrying, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, driving, client/customer contact, balancing, occasional indoor/outdoor activities to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature.  It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.  The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Monday through Friday.

This position is eligible for telework; in- office as needed.

Department: Human Resources Management

Location: 700 Lavaca St., Austin, TX

Education/Employment Verification and Criminal Background Check Required.

Please submit application at: CLICK HERE to Apply.