Place of Business: City of Valdosta, Georgia

Job Location: Valdosta, Georgia

Position Description:
The City of Valdosta is seeking applications for a Human Resources Director. The City of Valdosta is a unique community, blending its historic past with a dynamic and high growth environment, coupled with a diversity to give it economic viability and strength. In 1860, Valdosta was incorporated as the new county government seat. With a population of 166 people, Valdosta thrived as the county government seat of Lowndes County and the inland capital for Sea Island cotton. The City’s first 10 years, it grew 622 percent with a population of 1,999; and it is now approaching a population of 60,000. Valdosta has seen explosive growth in the last decade. The City of Valdosta operates under a Council/Manager form of Government. The Valdosta City Council is comprised of a mayor and seven council members. Valdosta relies on the City Manager for all the daily operational functions while the Mayor/Council is charged with setting policy. The Human Resources Director reports to the City Manager. The City of Valdosta is a service-oriented organization of more than 600 employees and has an annual budget of $124 million. The city aspires to be a healthy, vibrant, safe environment where residents live, work, play, and grow in a diverse community that values families and neighbors.

Find details about position expectations by reviewing the recruitment brochure at www.mercergroupassociates.com

The City of Valdosta seeks a visionary, strategic, and collaborative Human Resources Director who is excited by the opportunity to implement transformational initiatives, modernize the HR Department, and establish the Department as a trusted strategic partner to City leadership, employees, and the community. Most importantly, the ideal candidate will be passionate about public service and committed to making the City of Valdosta an employer of choice, one that inspires confidence within the workforce, empowers employees to achieve success, and develops leaders who are dedicated to serving the citizens of Valdosta. The successful candidate will have exceptional leadership, communication, and change management skills, along with the emotional intelligence necessary to build credibility and strong working relationships with elected officials, city leadership, department directors, employees, and community stakeholders. To be successful in this position, the new Director will be comfortable leading through change, building high-performance teams, managing multiple priorities, and creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, and innovation. The new Human Resources Director will be an experienced leader who embraces continuous improvement and understands that Human Resources is much more than just compliance but is a catalyst for organizational success. The new Director will have experience implementing major organizational initiatives such as compensation and classification studies, performance management systems, HRIS/payroll technologies, employee engagement strategies, policy modernization, leadership development, and workforce planning.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in public or personnel administration, human resources, business management, or related field is required; master’s degree preferred.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible management experience in human resources/personnel management or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Local government human resources experience is desired.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR Certification preferred; other professionally recognized certification programs are indications of commitment to the profession and will be noted during the valuation process.

Compensation & Benefits:
The expected starting salary range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000 (depending on qualifications of the selected candidate). A very comprehensive benefits package is offered for this position, including: Health, dental and vision insurance; no cost Medical Clinic; Basic Life and AD&D – provided by the city at no cost; Long-term disability paid by the city; Employee Assistance Program – EAP; Pension benefit – employee contributes 3%, vested in 10 years; Deferred Compensation 457 offered through Empower and Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays. Relocation expenses negotiable.

How to apply for this position:
Interested candidates must submit by email a cover letter, resume, a list of at least five job related references (with email and phone numbers), and salary history no later than August 28, 2026, to lisaward912@gmail.com. Please direct any questions to Mercer Group Associates, Lisa Ward at 706-983-9326; or Alan Reddish, at 706-614-4961.

Place of Business:
City of College Station

Location:
College Station

Position Description:
Under general direction of the Assistant Director, this senior level position is responsible for providing strategic direction and management oversight in the areas of employee relations, HR operations, benefits and leave administration, financial and fiscal processes, contracts, compliance, HRIS, records management, and HR-related initiatives. The HR Operations and Services Manager serves as a senior advisor on employee relations matters, ensures regulatory compliance, and supervises employees responsible for the delivery of HR operational services.

Principal Duties: 

Coordinate and oversee HR operational and fiscal functions, including HR processes, contracts, fiscal procedures, expenditure monitoring, vendor relationships, project management, and financial reporting; provide strategic oversight of HRIS, workforce data management, and records management to ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and reporting accuracy; and lead HR operational initiatives.

Provide leadership and direction to assigned staff, including prioritizing and assigning work, hiring, training, coaching, evaluating performance, and making recommendations regarding discipline and termination.

Provide leadership and oversight of employee relations functions, including consultation on performance management, policy interpretation, investigations, corrective actions, and resolution of complex or sensitive workplace issues. Serve as the escalation point for employee relations matters, ensuring consistent, equitable, and legally compliant application of policies and employment practices.

Responsible for the development, implementation, and administration of health and wellness plans, initiatives, policies and programs for City employees and retirees. Responsible for plan design strategy, relationship management, resolution of complex benefits issues, and oversight of the Employee Clinic.

Manage and oversee all aspects of leave administration, including FMLA, ADA, short-term disability, accommodations, workers’ compensation, modified duty, and other related programs, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and organizational policies.

Provide organizational oversight of HR compliance across all functional areas; ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations through policy development and governance, audit and reporting oversight, monitoring legislative changes, and implementation of compliant HR practices.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required:

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, business management or related field and three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience with emphasis in HR operations, employee relations, benefits administration, and compliance; and one (1) year of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Texas Driver’s License

Demonstrated experience managing HR operational and fiscal functions, including budget development, expenditure monitoring, financial reporting, contract oversight, and vendor management.

Knowledge of various local, state and federal laws, regulations, and statutes specific to employment, employee relations, corrective action processes, leave administration, and compliance practices

Experience with Benefits Administration including knowledge of Healthcare Laws

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to exercise sound judgment, manage risk, and maintain confidentiality.

Ability to adapt to change while simultaneously maintaining focus on organizational and operational objectives and envisioning the bigger picture.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to communicate and interact effectively with all levels of staff, management, business contacts and internal/external partners

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft products, including Word and Excel, with the ability to learn software related to departmental functions

Preferred:

Previous work experience in a Sr. HR Generalist, HR Operations Lead, or similar role

Three (3) to five (5) years of employee benefit plan administration

HR certifications such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PSHRA-CP, or CEBS.

Experience leading or supporting organizational change initiatives, policy development, or large-scale HR operational improvements.

Knowledge of municipal government operations and public-sector compliance requirements.

Experience working in a matrix style or cross-functional leadership environment.

Salary:
$75,468.00 - $113,199.00

Click here to apply.