Departments :: Employee & Administrative Services
Human Resources
Our Vision...
To encourage a people focused service culture, through a collaborative effort, which will promote a productive, accountable and performance driven county work environment. We will work in partnership with the departments to realize such success through an unyielding investment in our employees promoting an environment of involvement, commitment and empowerment.
Our Mission...
To serve as a source of information and expertise providing innovative and practical human resource solutions.
Summary of Services
Core services include:
- Employment Services: Seeks new/vacant position authorization from Wage & Classification Committee, advertises job openings, reviews applications for minimum requirements, establishes interviews, performs pre-employment testing and background checks, notifies applicants, completes new employee orientations, maintains personnel files, fulfills personnel actions, exit interviews & maintains Human Resources Information System.
- Benefits Administration: Responsible for administering the employee benefits programs, including policy development and coordination relating to medical, dental, vision and life insurance, deferred compensation, flexible spending, disability and retirement. Responsible for investigating, evaluating and analyzing all unemployment claims and for defending the county on unemployment claims, claim denial and appeals.
- Compensation: Responsible for bringing classification matters in front of the Wage & Classification Committee, compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, performs market research (salary surveys), develops compensation policy, coordinates Senior Management compensation plan, maintains job descriptions and salary matrixes, and provides administration of Wasco County Civil Service Rules.
- Employee Relations: Develop, revise and implement human resource policies and procedures. Responsibilities include development and administration of work-life strategies (such as telecommuting, flexible scheduling), administration of employee grievance policy, drug testing program, and investigation of responses to charges of employment discrimination. In addition, administers the county's compliance efforts relative to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, as well as compliance with other federal and state laws affecting employment practices. Responsible for administration of the Employee Assistance and Wellness Programs (currently through a contracted vendor).
- Labor Relations: Acts as official county liaison with law firms representing Wasco County in matters of labor, employment and safety. Responsible for negotiating, interpreting and administering Collective Bargaining Agreements.
- Organizational Development (Change Management): Advise management on the formulation and administration of plans and policies for human resource activities. Manage Organizational Development (OD) strategies and processes; assess organizational development needs as requested; lead the design, development and implementation of programs, policies and strategies tailored to meet OD needs and programs goals; prepare budgetary recommendations that meet departmental goals and provide for the effective management of resources.
- Consulting Services: Provide consultative services to the County Court and departments and acts as internal consultant by analyzing and recommending solutions to human resource issues; ensures programs or functional areas are in compliance with established policies and procedures; provides assistance with recruitment, employee selection efforts, establishing classification and pay decisions; develops and administers the county's performance management process.
- Committee/Commissions: include Civil Service Commission, Wage & Classification Committee, Compensation Committee, Quest/Strategic Planning.
Quick Facts: 2009
# Full-time employees = 154
# Part-time employees = 12
# Seasonal employees = 18
# AFSCME Union = 46
# WCLEA Union = 21
# FOPPO Union = 4
# Non Represented = 113