SEQUIM — City Manager Steve Burkett is seeking a Human Resources director, a position he upgraded to take the department to the next level of professionalism.
“It’s a new position in the budget,” he said, replacing the position of Human Resources manager with a new job description.
Candidates for the position, which has a pay range of between $64,800 and $84,000 a year plus benefits, are being recruited by professional executive hiring consultant Prothman of Issaquah.
Burkett said city Human Resources Manager Kathy Brown is expected to apply for the position.
“If she is the best person, she will get hired,” Burkett said.
Because she is to apply, he said, he chose to hire the consultants.
The deadline for applications is March 27.
Similarly, Burkett seeks and is advertising for a planning director, a position now held in the interim by Joe Irvin, who was the associate planner before Burkett and former Planning Director Dennis Lefevre agreed to part on a mutual terms.
Lefevre left Oct. 31 after serving the city eight years.
Burkett said Friday that Irvin had not applied for the planner position, which the city manager expects to fill by the end of May.
The Human Resources position oversees a department with two full-time employees and an annual budget of $216,000.
“The position requires someone who is an excellent listener, facilitator and effective strategic adviser to the city manager and executive team on human resource and organizational development issues and programs,” the position’s description said.
“He or she is responsible for effective labor relations and administers staffing, training and development, compensation, health and safety, and payroll services.”
The candidate should have five or more years of responsible supervisory, human resources and labor relations experience and a bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, human resources/personnel or a related area.
The job also calls for the Human Resources director to keep current on the latest trends and developments in the field of human resource management.
The person hired must “develop alternative plans to meet the city’s human resource needs, including program content and cost estimates” and “formulate policies for consideration of the city manager and City Council.”
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
