Director of Human Resources

Director of Human Resources

The Director of Human Resources reports to the General Manager and is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and managing the activities and operations of the Human Resources and Risk & Safety Departments. This includes overseeing and directing comprehensive District-wide human resources management programs including recruitment, selection, employment, classification, compensation, employee relations, labor relations, union negotiations, training and employee development, performance appraisal programs, benefits administration, safety, workers' compensation, employee wellness programs, and related services such as providing expert internal consulting assistance and guidance to District management in Human Resources and employee / labor relations matters. This position manages a team of four human resources and three safety / risk management professionals.

OCWD's culture of high quality and performance is driven by people with a passion for pursuing innovation and excellence. Its organizational structure enables every employee to make a unique contribution with the opportunity to be recognized and to advance. OCWD creates an environment where individuals can reach their personal goals and full potential, while fulfilling the District's mission and providing the best possible service to the 19 cities and agencies it serves.

The ideal candidate will be an innovative, flexible, and collaborative leader. As a problem solver with excellent communication, the successful candidate will have the necessary interpersonal skills to build positive working relationships with staff, department heads, leadership, labor, and elected officials. The successful candidate will be solutions-oriented, have strong political acumen, and have the ability to adapt to changing and competing priorities. A background in budget development, policy administration, staff management, and team building are key. Experience in a union environment and knowledge of negotiations is a must.

Key Attributes and Characteristics :

• A hands-on, working manager with a creative approach to problem solving.
• Excellent leadership skills with a positive demeanor; a leader that reassures staff while inspiring confidence.
• The ability to think 'outside the box' while still being detail-oriented and accurate; having the ability to articulate concepts and ideas clearly and directly.
• Politically astute. Understand political implications while remaining apolitical.
• A positive, honest, and consistent Director who understands the importance of acting as a mentor and coach, with a skill set in career development, training programs, and succession planning.
• A creative thinker who is adaptable and looks at situations from all perspectives to assess and improve efficiencies and implement best practices.
• The ability to work with a wide variety of personalities and communicate effectively with different personality types, build trust and accountability.
• A collaborative leader and consensus builder with the skill set to find solutions and positive results.
• An HR generalist who will initially focus on three key areas :
• Continue to build the Leadership Development Program across the organization.
• Participate / lead labor negotiations with OCEA (current five-year contract expires June 30, 2026).
• Learn and develop a clear understanding of the organizational culture, staff, priorities, and leadership goals.

The Orange County Water District (OCWD) is a groundwater wholesale agency responsible for managing and protecting the Orange County Groundwater Basin. The basin is a vital local resource that provides 85% of the drinking water supply to 19 cities and retail water districts, who serve a collective 2.5 million people in north and central Orange County. The OCWD's service area covers approximately 350 square miles, and the District owns approximately 1,600 acres in and near the Santa Ana River, which it uses to capture water flows for groundwater recharge. Formed in 1933, the District has implemented cutting-edge programs and projects to maximize local water resources, enhance water reliability, ensure high-quality water, prevent seawater intrusion, and protect Orange County's rights to Santa Ana River water.