Deputy Director (Chief Human Resources Officer)

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.

Our Mission: Advocating. Fighting. Helping.
Our Vision:    A Fair Justice System.
Our Values:   Compassion. Dignity. Equity. Integrity. Service. Community.

We are committed to building a work environment where all team members have a voice and can embrace our differences to innovate service to the public in our pursuit of fairness and justice for all people.

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The Office of the Ohio Public Defender is seeking a dedicated and experienced human resources leader to fill the role of Director of Human Resources. The position will plan, direct, and oversee all activities of the Human Capital Management Department which serves 210 permanent employees in 6 different work sites. The work includes supervising a team of HR professionals, developing and implementing HR strategies, and providing guidance on talent management, classification and compensation, workforce planning, EEO and ADA, benefits, payroll, and labor relations.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serve as an advisor to agency leadership. Contribute to agency planning and decision-making as a member of leadership committees. Serve as a key advisor to the Deputy Director of Administration on HR matters. Contribute to biennial budget planning and work closely with Fiscal and Office Services regarding staffing and positions. Liaison with DAS HRD and Governor’s Office.

• Develop and implement HR strategies to support the agency's mission and goals.

• Lead and supervise a 5-person HR team.

• Provide guidance to agency leadership on talent acquisition, classification and compensation, labor relations, benefits, payroll, onboarding, and records.

• Oversee the development and implementation of department procedures and contribute to the development of agency policies.

• Analyze contract, legislative, and regulatory changes affecting personnel.

• Ensure department programs and practices support the agency’s mission, comply with state and federal statutes, civil service laws, administrative rules and collective bargaining agreements, and promote a productive, inclusive, and engaged workforce.

• Oversee talent acquisition and recruitment, employee relations, classification and compensation, payroll and benefits administration, performance management, workforce planning, and HCM operations.

• Manage Human Resource Information Systems integrity, reporting, analytics, and security.  Analyze proposed legislation and administrative rules. Provide technical advice and training to management staff and others on personnel matters.

• Plan, direct, and administer activities and initiatives related to Talent Acquisition and Onboarding/Orientation, Classification and Compensation, Performance Management, and Workforce and Succession Planning.

• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

**In your application, please upload and attach a resume and cover letter. Applications without a resume and cover letter will not be reviewed.**

Target compensation for this position is $110,000 - $130,000. 

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us at 614-466-5394 or [email protected].

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications: Education &/or experience in human resources. Preferred qualifications: At least 5 years of experience in a senior HR role; At least 1.5 years of experience leading an HR team; Extensive knowledge in employee relations and the laws, rules, and policies governing state employment and compliance.  
Job Skills: Human Resources; Management; Verbal & Written Communication; Establishing Relationships; Critical Thinking; Strategic Thinking.

Intentional omission of relevant information, falsification, or misrepresentation of information on the application will disqualify the applicant. In addition, such intentional acts are grounds for immediate termination of an employee.

Final candidates selected for this position will be required to undergo a drug test. An applicant with a positive test result will not be offered employment. Final candidates selected for this position will also be required to undergo a background check and state income tax check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration. 

This position serves at the pleasure and discretion of the State Public Defender. This position serves in a fiduciary relationship to the State Public Defender and will have an unclassified status per Ohio Revised Code 124.11 (A) (9).

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.