Director of Human Resources

Job Description

Position Title: Director of Human Resources

Department: Human Resources

Reports to and evaluated by: Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations

FLSA: Exempt

Location: Central Office

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 12 months (260 days), 40 hours per week with benefits and salary in accordance with an individual employment contract. Salary Range: $130,000 - $150,000 based on qualifications and experience.

JOB GOAL: To lead all administrative functions of the Human Resources Department in the Lexington Public Schools efficiently and effectively within a culture of respect, caring and continuous improvement.

SUPERVISION: Works under the supervision and direction of the Superintendent of Schools.

DIRECT REPORTS: Responsible for supervision and evaluation of four (4) full-time human resources staff members.

July 1, 2026 start date.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Employee Records, Data and Reporting

• Ensures that all personnel, medical records and other employment records and files are maintained in hard-copy and/or electronically in accordance with applicable laws and contract agreements;
  
• Oversees the district-wide bi-annual PK-12 EPIMS (Employee Personnel Information Management System) reporting process;
  
• Facilitates data research and synthesis related to the Human Resources, including but not limited to staffing updates and exit interview data as examples;
  
• Verifies and approves all Employee Action Forms (EAFs);
  
• Serves as the district's designated Chief Records Access Officer.

Educator Licensure and Staff Certifications

• Oversees all aspects of educator licensure, including but not limited to: waiver requests, requests to expedite, licensure renewal, communications with staff in connection with licensure, and provision of technical support for licensure to staff;
  
• Ensures compliance with DESE licensure regulations and requirements, and problem solves all licensure issues;
  
• Assists professional level educators with inquiries and support related to supervision and evaluation;
  
• Ensures that all employees other than educators requiring licensure and/or certifications are properly credentialed.

Recruitment, Interviewing, and Hiring

• Oversees the district-wide employee recruitment procedures, including but not limited to: tracking employee vacancies; advertising in print and web-based media outlets; posting on Applicant Tracking (system-wide job web application), the Lexington Public Schools website, SchoolSpring, and other electronic media outlets as necessary; attending local and regional job fairs, and annual 'on-campus' college and university interviews; and conducting interviews and training with all prospective new hires.
  
• Represents Lexington Public Schools in outreach efforts to promote the hiring of candidates of color and minority hiring;
  
• Chairs and/or serves on administrative search committees under the direction of the Superintendent of Schools.

Employee Retention, Training and Compensation

• Oversees annual district-wide events that welcome and honor educators and staff, including the New Educator Orientation program, New Educator and Administrator Induction programs, and Professional Teacher Status recognition and other milestone events.
  
• Oversees the district-wide Mentoring Program;
  
• Tracks professional and non-professional teacher status for all educators district-wide;
  
• Observes non-professional status teachers within the first ninety (90) calendar days of their employment;
  
• Approves all requests for graduate program approval and graduate credit, granting of lane changes, and tuition reimbursement;
  
• Approves annual salary data sheets for all employees, and annual letters of assurance for all school year and at-will employees;
  
• Conducts wage/classification studies and market research when necessary;
  
• Recommends step and lane placement and salaries for all new employees to the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations and the Superintendent.

Professional Development and Training

• Tracks and maintains records of staff participation in professional development activities, ensuring alignment with licensure renewal requirements and contractual obligations;
  
• Oversees compliance training programs, including mandatory annual trainings required by state and federal law, and ensures all staff complete required trainings on schedule.

Benefits

• Working in collaboration with the Town of Lexington, oversees the administration of the health, dental, vision benefits, life insurance, and Flexible Spending Accounts for all school employees;
  
• Oversees the administration of retirements (MTRS, RMUN or OBRA), leaves of absence, including but not limited to Family Medical Leave and maternity leaves, and unemployment claims;
  
• Appears before the Unemployment Board for hearings as required;
  
• Ensures the delivery of the Employee Assistance Program;
  
• Approves all requests for personal absence not requiring special permission;
  
• Corresponds with staff in connection with longevity, longevity buyout, worker's compensation, stipends, and vacation day payouts;
  
• Oversees contractual Sick Leave Banks and, as a member of the district's Sick Leave Bank Committee, approves Sick Leave Bank requests;
  
• Oversees employee annual accruals in MUNIS;
  
• Oversees deferred compensation programs (403B and 457 plans).

Contract Negotiation

• Provides executive leadership in the contract negotiation and monitoring of all collective bargaining agreements negotiated by the School Committee, as well as all those who have individual employment agreements.

Labor and Employee Relations

• Promotes positive working relationships and a climate of trust with all elected union officials through mutual respect and ongoing collaboration;
  
• Respects and protects employee rights;
  
• Advises school administrators regarding policy and contract interpretation, as well as other labor and employment issues, including but not limited to employee misconduct;
  
• Drafts disciplinary action letters.

Compliance

• Oversees the enforcement and maintenance of contractual agreements by and between the school district and its respective employee organizations;
  
• Conducts and/or directs personnel investigations; recommends disciplinary action as needed; serves as a participant in grievance meetings where appropriate;
  
• Oversees the application of the CORI, SORI, and fingerprinting processes; and reviews and approves all such applications;
  
• Ensures compliance with I-9 regulations;
  
• Ensures compliance with EEO and MCAD regulations;
  
• Ensures compliance with ADA, MMPLA, and FMLA regulations;
  
• Ensures compliance with the supervision and evaluation process as described in each of the district's six (6) collective bargaining agreements;
  
• Keeps the Superintendent of Schools informed of all state and federal laws and School Committee policies pertaining to applicable HR issues;
  
• Delivers the annual Mandatory Training for all school employees;
  
• Delivers the annual State Ethics Training for all school employees;
  
• Serves as the district's Harassment Officer;
  
• Provides recommendations to the Superintendent of Schools regarding the revision of policies and procedures related to Human Resources, and informs employees of changes and updates as necessary.

Diversity

• Directs the district's effort to recruit and retain a diverse workforce;
  
• Attends local and regional diversity and minority recruitment job fairs annually;
  
• Coordinates affinity groups in partnership with district leaders;
  
• Provides the Superintendent with an annual update on the status of outcomes related to diversity hiring;

General Operations

• Assists with supervision and evaluation, ensuring all supervisors' timely completion of tasks;
  
• Assists with special projects related to the Human Resources field and/or office;
  
• Maintains and monitors up-to-date databases, employment contracts, and policy and procedure manuals in hard copy and online; and responds to all inquiries for sharing of data;
  
• Develops and reviews department goals and objectives on an ongoing basis;
  
• Develops and administers the Human Resources department budget annually;
  
• Participates in the Superintendent's Central Office Leadership Team and Administrative Council leadership teams, and other meetings as directed and/or needed;
  
• Attends School Committee meetings and executive session meetings as directed and required;
  
• Works closely with legal counsel;
  
• Develops, revises and updates evaluation instruments for all school personnel, including all district administrative level positions, support staff, and all other service and support departments;
  
• Assists in schools' and employee handbook and website updates annually;
  
• Oversees all components of the Educator and Clerical substitute services programs;
  
• Oversees the maintenance of the Lexington Public Schools' Human Resources webpages;
  
• Maintains active membership in professional organizations related to Human Resources
  
• Performs all other related duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools;

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Master's Degree in Education, Human Resources, or other related field;
  
• Appropriate Massachusetts educator licensure (e.g., Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent or Supervisor/Director);
  
• Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) and/or SCP certification preferred;
  
• Five (5) or more years of increasing responsibility leading a Human Resources Department, particularly in a school district or municipality;
  
• Public sector Human Resources experience working in a unionized environment preferred.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Believes in excellence and equity for all staff and students; and places honesty, integrity and fairness at the center of his/her work;
  
• Prioritizes interpersonal relationships and demonstrates proven customer service skills, including care and empathy for others, collaboration with constituencies, and servant leadership abilities;
  
• Demonstrates the ability to be highly responsive and exercise sound judgment and a high degree of diplomacy in responding to and resolving issues in a highly professional manner;
  
• Practices continuous improvement for self, the Human Resources Department and the district;
  
• Possesses ability to analyze complex issues and develop proposals leading to constructive solutions, often under tight deadlines;
  
• Demonstrates the ability to be highly organized and detail-oriented;
  
• Maintains confidentiality in all personnel and employment matters;
  
• Evidences strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to successfully conduct high-level public presentations;
  
• Demonstrates an ability to lead effectively in crisis or stressful situations in a calm manner;
  
• Possesses fluent proficiency with Google and district-wide database tools, including but not limited to: Student Information System software (ASPEN), financial application/employee databases (MUNIS), electronic filing and processing system (Records), applicant tracking systems (Applicant Tracking) and substitute and absence management software systems (Frontline);
  
• Evidences the ability to lead and manage a high volume workload in a fast-paced office environment;
  
• Demonstrates the ability to tolerate ambiguity, and think and work flexibly;
  
• Evidences knowledge of licensure regulations, School Committee policies, and labor and employment laws and regulations as applicable;
  
• Evidences knowledge and experience working effectively in a union and collective bargaining environment;
  
• Solid understanding of laws and regulations relating to the essential functions of this position.

Tools and Equipment Used: Phone console; personal computer - including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, MUNIS, TalentEd, Frontline, ASPEN, copy machine, calculator, and fax machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, or hear. The employee is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands or arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is reasonably quiet.

Experience and commitment to working in a racially and culturally diverse teaching and learning community.

Applicants for employment are considered without regard to age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, or military status.