Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Director of Human Resources

Location: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board , MN

Director of Human Resources

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is an independent, semi-autonomous body responsible for maintaining and developing the Minneapolis Park system to meet the needs of citizens of Minneapolis. This unique structure allows independent decision-making so the MPRB can efficiently oversee a diverse system of land and water. Nine Park Board Commissioners are elected every four years: one from each of the six park districts within the city and three that serve at-large. The policymaking Board of Commissioners appoints the Superintendent to provide high-level oversight and leadership to the nationally renowned park system. A Deputy Superintendent and three Assistant Superintendents, all appointed by the Superintendent, oversee administration, environmental stewardship, planning and recreation with a staff of 465 full-time and 1,200 part-time employees and annual operating budgets of $82 million and a $14-$21 million annual capital projects budget. The MPRB is one of five Minnesota park agencies and one of only 110 agencies in the United States that is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA).

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board exists to provide places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather, celebrate, contemplate and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community and the environment.

Residents Recognize Value of Parks
Minneapolis residents recognize the value of parks - 99 percent think the Park System plays an important role in serving the public, 96 percent think the parks and lakes play a key role in the physical health and wellness of city residents, and 94 percent say the Park System contributes to the economy by increasing the value of properties near parks.

Mission Statement:
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board shall permanently preserve, protect, maintain, improve, and enhance its natural resources, parkland, and recreational opportunities for current and future generations. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board exists to provide places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather, celebrate, contemplate, and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community, and the environment.

Service Department: Human Resources

Accountable To: Deputy Superintendent

Role Summary:
Responsible for leading and directing human resources operations and the design and implementation of strategic human resources initiatives.

Duties:
Performs under the general supervision of the Deputy Superintendent , and is responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

Essential Duties:

Responsible for overall management of the Human Resources Department.
Plan, organize, direct, coordinate and evaluate the activities of the department to ensure they align with the mission, goals, policies and priorities of the MPRB and the MPRB Comprehensive Plan.
Provide strategic leadership of the department and its resources so the development and implementation of human resources best practices fully support the current and future needs of the MPRB.
Design and deliver strategic HR initiatives that support MPRB's service, quality and efficiency objectives.
Design and deliver strategic HR initiatives that engage MPRB employees and support a high-performance culture.
Develop and implement new systems and best practices to improve and streamline human resources work processes that are integrated and coordinated across the organization and the City of Minneapolis where appropriate.
Build effective and collaborative relationships with MPRB employee representatives and lead the collective bargaining process.
Plan, prepare and manage the annual department budget and ensure proper expenditures for all projects and programs.
Provide relevant briefings and counsel to MPRB senior leadership on employee issues and risk management.
Recruit, supervise, train, evaluate, develop and discipline subordinate employees for development of a professional and support staff with a high degree of competence and sound judgment, including certification of HR staff.
Create a work environment that encourages staff to perform to the best of their abilities and holds them accountable for results.
Work across department lines and form partnerships that foster better services, eliminate barriers to achieving results, build alliances with key decision makers, and take advantage of available resources.
Handle personnel issues with highest degree of professionalism, including maintaining appropriate levels of confidentiality.

Related Work:

Determine and implement department polices and processes.
Develop and maintain effective communications and relationships with other MPRB staff to assure understanding of Park Board policies and procedures.
Respond to administrative and Board requests.
Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.
Remain current in industry best practices and apply knowledge to best serve the MPRB.
Work proactively to resolve problems and conflicts that surface.
Conduct probationary and annual performance reviews for each employee, initiate training and retraining when appropriate.
Represent the MPRB on community associations, city, county, and other governmental committees, school, library, agency, and business initiatives, and professional associations and institutions.
Provide leadership for MPRB committees to ensure that safety, maintenance, planning and recreation services complement and support each other in addressing citizen interests, issues and needs.
Keep the Deputy Superintendent promptly informed of matters as they relate to the department and MPRB.
Perform other related duties as apparent or assigned.

The Way We Work

The Employees of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board...
Work and accept responsibility to search for, create and execute new and innovative approaches to improve the performance of Park Board services and objectives.
Assist external and internal customers to serve their needs and take responsibility for continuously improving customer service.
Foster meaningful interaction among people through the exchange of information to produce understanding.
Continuously develop and use effective strategies and interpersonal styles to engage and guide others toward the accomplishment of identified objectives and goals in the best interest of the Park Board and community.
Consistently work toward the common good of the organization and encourage others to do the same.
Conduct themselves at all times in a professionally appropriate and respectful manner.
Apply the proper safety/security practices according to established protocols, guidelines and policies.

Knowledge of (position requirements at entry)

Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of human resources.
Extensive knowledge of and ability to interpret rules, regulations and laws governing employment practices, labor relations, benefits administration, and worker compensation to ensure compliance.
Detailed knowledge of Civil Service Commission rules.
Extensive knowledge of labor relations and collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
Considerable knowledge of strategic planning and implementation.
Considerable knowledge of managerial and supervisory principles and practices including budget preparation and administration.
Management, administration and the functions and needs of the MPRB.
Outstanding customer service principles and practices.

Skills and Ability to: (position requirements at entry)

Design and implement strategic HR initiatives.
Thoughtfully organize and creatively administer the functions of current and long-range human resources efforts.
Expertly negotiate labor contracts and maintain positive labor relations.
Understand and appropriately administer bargaining unit contracts, Civil Service Rules, MPRB policies and procedures, Minneapolis Code of Ordinances, and employment laws.
Negotiate and meet deadlines and prioritize issues, identifying which issues require immediate attention and taking effective and appropriate action based on that determination.
Set appropriate priorities while coordinating multiple projects and meeting critical deadlines.
Solve problems and effectively handle critical, controversial and/or sensitive policy issues.
Critically analyze operations, collaboratively design and institute improvements without disruption of existing operations.
Provide leadership and support toward the successful and effective performance of staff.
Provide both oral and written communication that is easily understood and direct in its content and listen effectively to thoroughly understand the intended message.
Establish and maintain effective, respectful and productive working relationships.
Negotiate effective and appropriate solutions to difficult conflicts.
Set appropriate priorities while coordinating multiple projects and meeting critical deadlines.
Show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences.
Handle personnel issues with highest degree of professionalism, including maintaining appropriate levels of confidentiality.

Equipment:
Computer, Microsoft Office suite, Adobe suite, human resources software applications, and miscellaneous office equipment and a motor vehicle.

Training and Experience (position requirements at entry)

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Human Resources, or closely related field. (Master's Degree preferred)
Increasingly responsible experience in human resources: at least six years
Increasingly responsible experience with labor relations and contract negotiations: at least six years
Increasingly responsible experience in leadership, management, and administration: at least six years
Experience supervising others: at least six years
Licensing Requirements (position requirements at entry)
Valid driver's license. SPHR certification.

Physical Requirements (ADA requirement, will be evaluated by HR)
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The physical ability to walk, stand, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, pull, push, finger, feel, grasp, lift, talk, see, hear and perform repetitive motions.

The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle as incumbents are subject to local travel to and from work locations. Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements. The ability to remain in a sitting or standing position for extended periods of time.

The incumbent may be required to traverse on rough, uneven terrain, as well as wet and slippery surfaces and to ascend and descend ladders to access work areas. The work may occasionally involve the ability to perform light lifting (up to 30 lbs.)

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Normal office environment 85% of the time. 15% of the time out in the field, attending meetings.

Compensation and Benefits
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board provides a competitive salary and benefits package.

Application Process
Interested applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to:

resumes@affionpublic.com
Reference in subject line: MPRBHR

Affion Public
20 North 2nd Street, Suite 200
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 888-321-4922
Fax: 717-214-2205
www.affionpublic.com

**Deadline to receive resume: June 28, 2013**

Posted: 03/22/2022