Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Human Resource Manager to join our leadership team and support our mission of providing exceptional public safety communications to Southern Oregon.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates must submit both a cover letter and resume (maximum two pages) to HR Manager Jody Hathaway via the Indeed apply function.
Application Deadline:
5:00 p.m., September 21, 2026
Interviews: Interviews for qualified candidates are scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2026.
Anticipated Start Date: December 1, 2026
Must pass law enforcement background, medical and drug screen.
Required Education & Experience
- Five or more years of progressively responsible and successful experience in human resources, including recruitment, compensation, wage and hour compliance, benefits administration, leave management, and employee relations.
- Proficiency with a variety of computer software applications, including QuickBooks, Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, databases, HRIS systems, and report-generation tools.
- Valid driver's license. Additional driving-related requirements may apply depending on the nature and scope of responsibilities involving ECSO vehicles or other business-related driving.
Preferred Education & Experience
- Five or more years of human resources experience in a government or public-sector environment.
- Three or more years of human resources experience in a public safety environment.
- Professional HR certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP.
About ECSO
Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon (ECSO) is the 911 communications and dispatch center serving Jackson County, Oregon. ECSO is an intergovernmental agency established under ORS 190.010 and is governed by a Board of Directors and an Intergovernmental Council. ECSO provides emergency communications services to more than 25 public safety agencies, including law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies.
Our Mission
We contribute to the safety of the citizens of Southern Oregon and our subscriber agencies by providing public safety communications with industry-best standards, procedures, and practices.
About the Position
The Human Resource Manager is a key member of the ECSO leadership team and shares responsibility for fostering a dynamic, high-performing, engaged, safe, and healthy workplace culture. This position provides strategic and operational leadership across all areas of human resources and serves as a trusted resource to employees, supervisors, managers, and executive leadership.
The Human Resource Manager reports directly to the Director and is responsible for ensuring that ECSO's human resource practices support organizational goals while remaining compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
Key Responsibilities
Human Resources Strategy & Leadership
- Lead strategic planning and policy development for Human Resources. Research, analyze, and recommend changes to policies and procedures to promote consistency, effectiveness, and compliance with statutory requirements.
- Collaborate with the Director and leadership team on strategic planning and organizational initiatives related to human resources.
- Serve as a member of the leadership team in developing policies, strategies, goals, work plans, and procedures that support Board direction and ECSO's mission, vision, values, and organizational strategies.
- Attend Board meetings and outside agency meetings as required.
Talent Acquisition & Workforce Development
- Attract, motivate, develop, and retain high-quality employees through effective human capital strategies.
- Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, talent management, succession planning, leadership development, and employee recognition initiatives.
- Manage the recruitment and selection process, including job postings, application review, interview scheduling, background checks, candidate testing, and employment offers.
- Ensure recruitment and selection practices comply with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements.
Employment Law & Compliance
- Maintain current knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal employment laws and regulations affecting ECSO.
- Monitor HR policies and practices for compliance and take affirmative steps to address potential areas of risk.
- Ensure compliance related to job descriptions, employee handbooks, performance management documentation, personnel records, employment practices, and required governmental reporting.
- Consult with legal counsel, when appropriate, regarding employment matters and policy compliance.
- Respond professionally to inquiries from employees, government agencies, and the public.
- Represent ECSO in personnel-related hearings, investigations, and other proceedings as appropriate.
Payroll & Compensation
- Manage and oversee payroll processing for all personnel, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
- Administer complex pay elements, including overtime, DPSST certification pay, and leave accruals.
- Ensure compliance with wage and hour requirements, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
- Monitor timekeeping systems and ensure appropriate coding, approvals, and recordkeeping.
- Investigate and resolve payroll discrepancies and respond to employee inquiries.
- Manage ECSO's classification and compensation structure.
- Conduct position audits and compensation surveys as needed.
- Coordinate with leadership to maintain accurate, meaningful, and competitive job descriptions and classifications.
- Compile and analyze wage and salary data to support compensation decisions, ensure internal equity, and maintain FLSA compliance.
- Provide the Director and Board with compensation information, salary surveys, and relevant market data.
Employee Benefits & Leave Administration
- Serve as Plan Administrator for ECSO employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, short-term disability, long-term disability, VEBA, and retirement plans.
- Ensure COBRA processes are appropriately administered.
- Work directly with benefit providers regarding plan changes, enrollment, billing, and other administrative matters.
- Research benefit plan design, costs, and market trends and make recommendations that balance employee needs with ECSO's organizational objectives.
- Oversee annual benefits open enrollment.
- Administer ECSO leave policies in accordance with applicable laws and organizational policies.
- Maintain current knowledge of FMLA, OFLA, ADA, Paid Leave Oregon (PLO), OSHA, and other applicable requirements.
- Provide education, guidance, and support to employees and leaders regarding leave and accommodation processes.
Labor & Employee Relations
- Participate in labor relations activities and maintain a constructive working relationship with ECSO's collective bargaining unit.
- Participate in positive labor-management dialogue and ensure compliance with labor laws and contractual obligations.
- Provide guidance to leadership regarding collective bargaining agreement interpretation and administration.
- Lead and manage ECSO's collective bargaining and labor contract negotiation activities.
- Investigate employee complaints, including allegations of discrimination, harassment, and other workplace concerns.
- Conduct impartial internal investigations and make recommendations regarding appropriate corrective or disciplinary action.
- Assist leadership with conflict management and resolution.
Performance Management & Employee Development
- Oversee ECSO's employee performance evaluation program and periodically assess its effectiveness.
- Recommend improvements to performance management processes and practices.
- Coach and support leaders in preparing and delivering timely, accurate, constructive, and meaningful performance evaluations.
- Collaborate with leadership to promote employee professional growth and development.
- Assess organizational and employee training needs and recommend, coordinate, develop, and deliver training programs.
- Assist leaders in identifying effective solutions to employee performance and workplace challenges.
Safety & Workers' Compensation
- Provide oversight and administrative support to ECSO's Safety Team.
- Assist with workplace accident investigations and prepare reports as required for regulatory compliance.
- Direct, oversee, and participate in the administration of ECSO's workers' compensation program.
Records Management & Confidentiality
- Oversee documentation related to significant employee events, disciplinary actions, position changes, employment transitions, workplace accommodations, leaves of absence, and other employment matters.
- Ensure personnel records and employee files are maintained accurately, securely, and confidentially.
- Ensure appropriate segregation and protection of medical and other confidential employee information.
- Oversee the appropriate retention and destruction of confidential records in accordance with applicable record retention schedules.
Budget & Resource Management
- Ensure assigned areas of responsibility are managed within established budgets.
- Develop, administer, and monitor the Human Resources operating budget.
- Promote the effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time.
Organizational Collaboration
- Communicate professionally, respectfully, and courteously with employees, contractors, customers, partner agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Foster a productive work environment through active listening, collaboration, positive relationships, and constructive exchange of ideas.
- Complete special projects and other duties as assigned in support of team, department, and organizational goals.
- Demonstrate accountability and responsibility for achieving desired outcomes and measurable results.
Benefits
- Annual Salary: $102,312
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- HRA/VEBA
- 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
In summary, ECSO is seeking a Human Resource Manager who will bring sound judgment, strong interpersonal skills, strategic leadership, and a commitment to employee and organizational success to this important role.
Pay: $102,312.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Applications for this job must include both a resume (maximum two pages) and a cover letter. Indeed provides a box for the cover letter during the resume step; or the letter may be attached as an additional document. Do you acknowledge that applications received without a cover letter will likely not be considered?
Work Location: In person
