Human Relations Director

Salary: $126,505.00 Annually
Location : Winston-Salem, NC
Job Type: Full-Time / Permanent
Job Number: 08126
Department: Human Relations
Opening Date: 03/14/2025
Closing Date: 4/20/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Description
Winston-Salem, with a population of 255,000, is known as the "City of Arts and Innovation" and is home to prestigious educational institutions including Winston-Salem State University, Salem College, Wake Forest University, UNC School of the Arts and Forsyth Technical Community College. The city has transitioned from a historically tobacco and manufacturing center to a thriving hub for biomedical research.
Winston-Salem is nestled in the Triad region of North Carolina, approximately ninety minutes from Raleigh and seventy-five minutes from Charlotte. The city offers numerous attractions and restaurants, and it is recognized statewide for its active and walkable downtown. The dynamic downtown area features diverse bars and restaurants, and an active arts district which contributes to the city's vibrant atmosphere. Additionally, Winston-Salem is home to two nationally recognized hospitals.
Winston-Salem is experiencing an exciting period of transformation under new leadership. The city manager has been in place for over a year, and two of the four assistant city managers were recently added to the team. We are implementing positive changes and striving to elevate our organization. The city management team values creativity and innovation while strongly committed to recognizing and supporting every employee.
With these priorities in mind, we seek a Human Relations Department Director who understands the importance of fostering a collaborative culture internally and externally. The Human Relations director will lead a department of twenty employees and will oversee a traditional Fair Housing Program while driving impactful internal initiatives. Additionally, the city of Winston-Salem has a citywide nondiscrimination ordinance passed by the City Council in 2022, reflecting our commitment to being fair and respectful to all.
Examples of Duties

• Analyzes, manages, supervises, reviews, and trains staff and subject matter experts in all areas of law and enforcement pertaining to the local fair housing ordinance, allegations of fair housing violations, and landlord/tenant mediations.
• Must enforce and be thoroughly familiar with civil rights laws and executive orders.
• Manage the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area; establish, within city policy, appropriate service, and staff levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
• Administers and directs the Human Relations Commission, Youth Advisory Council, African American Heritage Council, Building Integrated Communities, and College Advisory Board.
• Analyzes, reviews, and approves fair housing investigative reports and makes final determinations regarding cause or no cause discrimination violations.
• Manages, develops, and administers tailored cultural inclusion programs and city government's limited English proficiency compliance.
• Function as staff liaison to the Human Relations Commission.
• Coordinate activities and represent the department to other city departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explain, justify, and defend Human Relations Department programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
• Apprise the Assistant City Manager and City Manager of potentially serious community human relations problems; recommends approaches to resolving those problems to effectively address concerns; handle projects and programs as assigned by the Assistant City Manager and City Manager.
• Design and implement programs involving all segments of the community to reduce conflicts and increase understanding; speak to community groups and counsel citizens regarding human relations.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate, through subordinate level managers, the department's key work items; assign projects in programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work and methods and procedures; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Manage, oversee, and participate in the development and administration of the department's budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approve expenditures; and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate department personnel; provide guidance and training to subordinate supervisors, ensuring productivity, adherence to policy, effective performance evaluation, and individual skill development; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures working with Human Resources and Legal as necessary.
• Direct, advise, and assist city employees and department directors in a variety of human relations matters, including the interpretation and application of anti-discrimination laws in employment and housing, work with other departments in community problem-solving efforts, as well as consulting on internal human relations issues.
• Manage, direct, and participate in the investigation of complaints of discrimination and unfair treatment; review investigation procedures performed by staff; approve all reports on discrimination submitted to other agencies and organization; provide counseling to complainants.
• Coordinate and participate in the activities of various committees and boards; provide professional advice and direction to the bodies, make presentations to organizations, agencies, and the public on various human relations topics.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints. Provide staff assistance to the Assistant City Manager and City Manager; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Provide staff support to a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional groups and organizations; stay abreast of trends, developments and legal opinions relating to the field of human relations.
• Serve as the Equal Opportunity Officer.
• Ensure compliance with Title VI Limited English Proficiency (LEP) requirements.
• Performs research and gathers information regarding complaints and charges of discrimination received; meets with various parties to discuss and act on complaints; and monitors case production and compliance with contract requirements.
• Presents educational programs to various employees, outside groups, and agencies.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Adheres to assigned work schedule as outlined in the Department and City attendance policies and procedures; ensures all behaviors comply with the City's Personnel Rules and Regulations.
• Oversees the Language Access program along with subordinate managers.

Typical Qualifications
Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree with coursework in social work, psychology, sociology, or related field and extensive experience working in human relations or mediation, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in the law and enforcement of the Fair Housing Act.
10 years of progressively responsible related professional experience that includes significant management and supervisory experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of the sociological and psychological aspects of community life, the origin and causes of discrimination.
• Thorough knowledge of the source of current information in human relations and related fields.
• Ability to evaluate the needs of the community and the effectiveness of social programs; ability to plan, organize and promote programs of community action.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
  with associates, social and business agencies, and the public.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity towards the attitudes, actions, and reactions to a wide variety of citizens which may be found in the community.
• Facilitation and problem-solving techniques.
• Modern and complex principles and practices of human relations, including methods and techniques used in investigation, training, counseling, and conflict resolution.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of human relations services, programs, and policies.
• Advanced principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Advanced principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Must remain abreast of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and position-specific software.
• Sensitivity to the attitudes, actions, and reactions of minorities and to be able to project this into the growth of community understanding and behavior, and good physical condition.
• Facilitate various groups in reaching consensus.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Interpret and apply city and personnel policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Maintain confidentiality in the performance of duties.
• Effectively handle a work environment and conditions that involve working closely with others, potentially hostile environment, and exposure to computer screens.

Supplemental Information

Certified Civil Mediator
Fair Housing Act training

This position falls under the residency policy that requires the person selected maintain their principal residence within a thirty-mile radius of the Winston-Salem City Hall, or establish their principal residence within a thirty-mile radius of the Winston-Salem City Hall within 180 days of the effective date of the personnel action
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• 401a Contribution (employee match not required)
• Bus Pass Program
• Education Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Suggestion Program
• Family and Medical Leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Group Health Insurance
• Group Dental Insurance
• Jury Duty Leave
• Life/Accidental Death Insurance
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Military Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Promotion from Within
• Retirement/Pension Plan (State of NC)
• School Leave
• Shared Leave
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Sick Leave
• Training
• Vacation Leave
• Wellness Program

The City of Winston-Salem's employment practices are guided by federal, state, and local rules and regulations guaranteeing employment opportunities to all persons without regard to and prohibiting discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, religion, political affiliation or beliefs, national origin or handicap, unless a bonafide occupational qualification exists.
01

Please indicate your highest level of education.

• Some High School
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Professional Degree (e.g. JD)
• Doctorate

02

Please indicate your years of experience in the law and enforcement of the Fair Housing Act.

• None
• 1 - 2 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 6 - 10 years
• 10+ years

03

Please indicate your years of experience working in human relations in a management or supervisory capacity.

• None
• 1 - 2 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 6 - 10 years
• 10+ years

04

This position falls under the residency policy that requires the person selected maintain their principal residence within a thirty-mile radius of the Winston-Salem City Hall, or establish their principal residence within a thirty-mile radius of the Winston-Salem City Hall within 180 days of the effective date of the personnel action. Do you understand this requirement?

• Yes
• No

Required Question