Buncombe County is a caring community in harmony with its environment where residents succeed, thrive, and realize their potential. Our mission is to promote a healthy, safe, well-educated, and thriving community with a sustainable quality of life; to provide effective and efficient government our citizens can trust; and to deliver needed service through a responsive work force committed to excellence, integrity, and teamwork.
 

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a strategic leader for the Buncombe County Human Resources Department, leading effective human resource programs and strategies under the general supervision of the County Manager and in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. This position has overall responsibility for the Human Resources (HR) department as well as the HR function within Buncombe County government and is accountable for leading effective human resource programs and strategies.

Buncombe County's Human Resources Department consists of 23 FTEs. The Human Resources Director directly supervises 6 HR Managers who are responsible for managing the following divisions: Organizational Development, Recruiting and Staffing, Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), Compensation, Classification & Benefits, Employee Relations and our Family Health Clinic.

Key projects for the HR team include: ensuring the County’s compensation is competitive, enhancing the functionality of the HRIS, developing an internship/fellowship program, revamping County-wide job descriptions to include disaster preparedness and response functions, facilitating County-wide disaster preparedness training, developing a succession planning program, continuing enhancement of employee engagement initiatives, and ongoing maintenance of the County’s performance management program 'Achieve Together.' The HR team exemplifies the County's commitment to strategic Human Resource Management; they are dedicated professionals who champion our employees and live the County's core values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, Honesty and Equity.

Tentatively, initial virtual interviews are to occur the week of September 7, 2025, with in-person finalists interviews targeted for the week of September 21, 2025. We anticipate an offer extended to the selected candidate by October of 2025. The Human Resources Director position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. The Human Resources Director must live or relocate to a residence within a 2-hour drive of 200 College Street, Asheville NC 28801. Buncombe County provides relocation assistance for Director-level positions.

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience: 

Master’s degree in human resources, personnel management or related field and seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in public personnel administration and management, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated proficiency in multiple areas of human resource management.

Essential Functions:

• Plans, organizes and administers comprehensive programs and services for County-wide recruiting and staffing, employee development, benefit administration, compensation/classification, and employee relations. 

• Monitor costs for administering County Self-Funded benefits, recommend ways to contain cost while maintaining competitive employee benefits. 

• Develop and maintain a culture of employee recognition that aligns with the goals and objectives of the organization and affects outcomes.

• Serve as the subject matter expert in a variety of HR areas that typically pertain to local government.

• Ensure compliance with all employment laws, organizational ordinances, and policies through effective leadership and guidance.

• Establish strategic plans, goals and objectives for the HR department that align with Buncombe County’s strategic plans and goals.

• Maintain the County’s classification and compensation plan, personnel ordinance, and policies, and make recommendations to the County Manager concerning appropriate revisions.

Duties, Responsibilities, and Other Functions:

• Conducts studies concerning the development and administration of personnel policies, programs, rules, and regulations; submits recommendations for the consideration and approval of the County Manager.

• Develop and manage a performance-based evaluation system that includes designing and measuring the effectiveness of the performance review tools, training staff and communicating the process as needed.

• Oversees the processing, maintenance and security of all personnel transactions, records, and files. 

• Directs and manages employee relations programs.

• Monitors and enforces personnel actions in accordance with established rules, regulations, state and federal laws, and Fair Labor Standards Act compliance. 

• Appears before the County Commissioners to explain proposed regulations, policies or programs.

• Manages the annual preparation and ongoing administration of the Human Resources Departmental budget. Directs the administration of employee benefit programs, including federal COBRA and Immigration Reform and Control Act compliance.

• Provide leadership to the HR Managers within the HR Department. 

• Provide professional advice and assistance on matters related to human resources administration and management on an as needed basis to proactively protect the interests of the County.

• Develop strategy and drive implementation of HR activities, through effective leadership and guidance that creates employee engagement and improves the organization’s success.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations and statutes and demonstrated ability to establish operating standards and procedures to ensure compliance.

• Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of public personnel administration, county government operations, organizations, procedures and policies.

• Thorough knowledge of personnel and management principles, practices and techniques as they relate to the administration of human capital and planning, position management, staff development and training, policy development and administration, employee relations, and related personnel and management functions and services.

• Knowledge of principles, concepts, and practices of organizational management.

• Knowledge of leadership principles, practices and techniques including how to delegate authority and assign work, how to deal effectively with difficult employees, how to evaluate performance and to participate in disciplinary actions, and ability to mentor new supervisors.

• Ability to interpret rules and regulations, internal and external to the organization. 

• Ability to develop and maintain professional working relationships in complex and/or difficult situations in order to achieve organizational goals.

• Ability to respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen/employee inquiries and complaints.

• Ability to deliver effective presentations, reports, and policies to managers, boards, commissions, civic groups, County Commissioners and the public.

• Exemplary skills in written and verbal language with the ability to communicate respectfully, clearly and concisely.

• Skills demonstrating a high level of integrity, commitment and work ethic.

In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.

Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.

It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.

About Buncombe County Government

Across 660 square miles, Buncombe County is a diverse patchwork of businesses and people. What brings us together is our belief that what we do matters and together we can shape a community where every person lives up to their potential. We believe we serve our community best with a diverse workforce who represent the best in their professions. We hope you will consider joining us!

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