400 Lake Street • Ithaca, New York • 14850
NOTICE OF VACANCY
Position Title: Director of Human Resources
Location(s): Admin Building (400 Lake Street)
Anticipated Start Date: 9/1/2026
Posting Dates: 7/17/2026- 7/31/2026
Number of Vacancies: 1
Hours per week/FTE: 1
Civil Service Jurisdictional Class: Non-Competitive
Brief Description: The Director of Human Resources Operations is responsible for managing and administering the daily human resources operations of the Ithaca City School District, including pre-employment procedures, recruitment, onboarding, employment records, certification tracking, compensation and benefits administration, employee attendance and leave processes, and compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing employment.
The Director of Human Resources Operations serves as a resource to District administrators and consults with the Superintendent of Schools on human resources and labor relations matters. The position is not a member of the Superintendent of Schools' executive team, but supports the executive team and managerial staff by providing accurate human resources information, operational guidance, and coordination of assigned personnel matters.
The position also supports labor relations by consulting with District administrators, legal counsel, union representatives, and other appropriate parties regarding contract administration, grievance matters, records, and related personnel issues. The Director may represent the Superintendent of Schools at grievance hearings and collaborates as a member of the District team in preparation for collective bargaining and negotiations.
The work is performed under the administrative direction of the Superintendent of Schools or designee, with latitude given for the exercise of independent judgment and discretion in the management of assigned human resources operations. Supervision is exercised over the work of departmental staff. Does related work as required.
Location(s): District-Offices, 400 Lake Street
Posting Dates: 07/17/2026- 07/31/2026
Application Requirements:
- Three (3) Letters of Reference (required for external candidates)
- MANDATORY Writing Sample (see prompt below)
The Ithaca City School District values diverse perspectives and life experiences. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQIA+, veterans, people with disabilities, and those with lived experiences.
MANDATORY Writing Sample
A writing sample is required for the application to be completed.
Please upload your writing sample separately or with your cover letter.
- The ICSD has a diverse student population representing a variety of races, gender identities, learning needs, socio-economic status, sexual orientations, languages, national origins, etc. Describe your teaching strategies and/or experiences for effectively educating students from diverse backgrounds. Please give specific examples of how you respond effectively to students who have a variety of identities, and/or respond effectively to students who are different from your own identity. How do you ensure success for every student?
Supervision Structure
- Supervises and directs District recruitment and selection efforts; oversees the development of pools of qualified applicants for anticipated and actual vacancies and supports the work of screening and interviewing committees;
- Ensures compliance with the District's equal employment opportunity and workforce diversity policies and procedures;
- Serves as a resource to members of the District administrative team regarding employee relations, staffing, onboarding, employee records, leave processes, and other human resources operations;
- Consults with the Superintendent of Schools regarding human resources operations, personnel matters, and labor relations issues;
- Supports executive leadership and managerial staff by providing accurate human resources information, operational guidance, and timely follow-up on assigned personnel matters;
- May represent the Superintendent of Schools at grievance hearings;
- Consults with District administrators, legal counsel, union representatives, and other appropriate parties regarding labor relations matters, contract administration, grievance issues, personnel records, and related employment matters;
- Collaborates with members of the District team in preparation for collective bargaining and negotiations, including gathering data, reviewing records, analyzing proposals, and coordinating relevant human resources information;
- Supports the administration, interpretation, and implementation of labor contracts in coordination with District leadership, legal counsel, and other appropriate representatives;
- Assists with the coordination of personnel processes related to assignment, transfer, evaluation, promotion, discipline, and separation of staff;
- Determines employee salaries and benefits in accordance with collective bargaining agreements, Board of Education policies, Civil Service requirements, and applicable laws and regulations;
- Supervises the preparation and maintenance of a variety of records and reports, including employment records, recruitment and selection records, personnel files, certification records, leave records, and departmental activity reports;
- Supports the implementation and administration of performance evaluation processes for District staff;
- Oversees the District's compliance with personnel-related laws, policies, regulations, Civil Service requirements, and employment procedures;
- Serves as a liaison between the Human Resources Department and District administrators regarding personnel procedures, staffing processes, employee records, and contract-related operational matters;
- Supports the work of the Board of Education's Human Resources Committee by preparing personnel reports, pre-employment materials, and other human resources information as directed;
- Provides direction to Human Resources staff in the performance of their duties, establishing work priorities, improving departmental procedures, and achieving department and District goals;
- Develops, recommends, and implements improvements to human resources systems, workflows, forms, records management, and service delivery practices;
- Coordinates onboarding, offboarding, employee status changes, certification tracking, and related employment processes;
- Maintains confidentiality and ensures the appropriate handling of sensitive personnel information.
Characteristic Responsibilities.
Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of human resources administration;
good knowledge of personnel operations, recruitment, onboarding, employee records management, benefits administration, compensation procedures, and leave administration;
working knowledge of labor contract administration and labor relations processes; good knowledge of federal, state, county, and local employment laws, including equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination laws; working knowledge of the theory and administration of a civil service system;
skill in developing, implementing, and conducting outreach and targeted recruitment programs; skill in analyzing job descriptions, job requirements, supervisory practices, employment records, union contracts, and employer policies; strong organizational skills; strong analytical skills; strong creative problem-solving skills; ability to understand and interpret complex written material; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; ability to consult effectively with administrators, legal counsel, union representatives, employees, and other appropriate parties;
ability to work successfully with people of various cultures, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds; ability to manage and supervise an office and prepare budgetary materials; ability to use computerized office management tools, including database, word processing, spreadsheet, and human resources information systems; ability to successfully work with and serve a diverse local community; initiative; good judgment; confidentiality; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
Minimum Qualifications
A. Possession of a Master's degree in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Industrial and Labor Relations, or a closely related field with similar course curriculum and two years of full-time paid professional human resources experience, or its part-time paid equivalent, at least one year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or
B. Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Industrial and Labor Relations, or a closely related field with a similar course curriculum and five years of full-time paid professional human resources experience, or its part-time paid equivalent, at least two years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or
C. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of A and B above.
Note: College degrees must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education and/or U.S. Secretary of Education. If an applicant's degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, the applicant must provide independent verification of equivalency. Applicants are responsible for payment of any required evaluation fee.
The Ithaca City School District is committed to eliminating race, class, gender, and disability as predictors of academic performance, co-curricular participation and discipline
To Apply:
External Applicants: Apply online at ithacacityschools.recruitfront.com
In order for us to receive your application, you must complete the following three steps on Recruitfront:
Salary Range: $145,000- $155,000 (12-month full-time basis)
We envision 6000+ Thinkers. Thinking is foundational to the development of self and society. It is the cornerstone of all creative ideas and problem-solving, new scientific discoveries, new products and services, individual and organizational learning, education, business success, interpersonal and intrapersonal communications, all social change and even democracy itself. Our vision is what we see. It motivates us. Our vision is audacious.
Our mission is to engage, educate, and empower. We will strive to engage all students in the importance and relevance of thinking; to educate every learner to communicate, comprehend, and collaborate for understanding; and to empower all in the ICSD to achieve academic excellence.
The Ithaca City School District does not unlawfully discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military status, veteran status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, or other federal/state protected status.
09/01/2026
Application Deadline:07/31/2026
