APD Human Resources and Labor Relations Division Chief - City of Alexandria VA

ALEXANDRIA POLICE, DIVISION CHIEF

HUMAN RESOURCES AND LABOR RELATIONS

The City of Alexandria is located in Northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties.  With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work.  About one-quarter of the City’s square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district.  We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead.  If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for a position as our Human Resources and Labor Relations Division Chief.   

 An Overview

The Alexandria Police Department is seeking a highly qualified Human Resources and Labor Relations Division Chief who will be integral to the Department’s personnel management efforts.  The Human Resources and Labor Relations Division Chief is responsible for a variety of departmental functions including human resources, budgeting, employee wellness, Peer Support and resiliency programs, and engagement with departmental labor groups. The Division Chief will be responsible for developing labor relations program policies and procedures. This position directs and executes organizational development and diversity strategies that strengthen performance to achieve departmental and city goals.          

The Human Resources and Labor Relations Division Chief acts as liaison with various City agencies; administers the grievance process and provides interpretation of grievance-related language and mandates; makes recommendations to the Chief of Police on personnel issues; supervises the personnel and performance evaluation systems; manages the career development and counseling program; coordinates internal transfers and promotion processes; maintains personnel records of all employees; maintains attendance records, manages the payroll; maintains a master file of Special Directives; prepares and implements personnel policies and procedures based on Administrative Regulations, Police Directives, and accreditation standards. 

This office holds a staff of 5 permanent full-time team members who work to implement an effective department plan that emphasizes communication and customer service. The office performs or coordinates the agency’s safety/workman’s compensation programs/policies, all recruiting efforts for civilian positions, and all internal promotional processes. The office is responsible for all payroll functions for the department to include overtime, leave, performance evaluations, new employees, and separations. 

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate will be someone with exceptional senior level Human Resources experience within a law enforcement environment who understands the unique circumstances that are encountered. A demonstrated experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism within a complex organization. The ideal candidate should drive labor relations policy, processes, and practices to ensure effective execution and compliance. The incumbent is expected to exercise considerable discretion in carrying out responsibilities independently and with awareness of police command structure and culture and human resource issues and sensitivities. The incumbent should have thorough knowledge of human resources administration, experience developing, supervising, motivating, and recognizing personnel, communicating effectively as well as stress, conflict, and crisis management. The ability to handle multiple projects, professional written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills. Willingness to work a flexible schedule. Experience in workforce planning, labor relations and policy formulation experience. 

The Opportunity – Examples of Work

• Directs, manages, and supervises the Division’s employees and ensures that program objectives and outcomes are achieved.
• Assesses the department’s administrative needs and problems and reallocates or secures resources to meet those needs.
• Leads departmental initiatives to strengthen infrastructure to achieve optimal performance; Assesses employee engagement and directs the strategies/action planning process to positively impact employee engagement.
• Facilitates development of employee work groups and committees to address specific issues, skills gaps, and opportunities for development. Establishes partnerships with subject matter experts in the areas of organizational development, change management, diversity/intercultural development, strategic planning, performance management and other specialties as needed to create a learning environment and high performing organization. Collects and analyzes data for short and long-range planning and evaluates services to make recommendations for improvement.
• Develop labor relations program-related procedures, and processes. Administers the grievance process and provides interpretation of grievance-related language and mandates. Represents the Department in formal/informal hearings regarding labor relations issues and preliminary discussions with employee organizations.
• Represents the department effectively on equity issues in a variety of forums within the City and the region.  Exercises sound, expert independent judgment, and political acumen within general policy guidelines. Exercises tact and diplomacy in dealing with highly sensitive, complex, and confidential issues and situations; Conducts and attends meetings as a Departmental representative.
• Provides guidance and assistance to Department top management regarding State/City personnel regulations and procedures, and in resolving personnel problems.
• Formulates and recommends policy on matters having Department implications, implements changes policies and procedures, presents new or revised written directives, and monitors changes in State and Federal law affecting Departmental operations.
• Monitors Department's operational effectiveness, selects program areas for inspection and analysis, conducts management studies, audits to assess operational conditions;
   Directs planning and research of data processes and data analysis to establish/revise management methods and procedures to improve workflow, simplify reporting procedures, reduce costs and meet professional accrediting standards and legal requirements.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

About the Department 

The City of Alexandria Police Department is a nationally recognized and accredited law enforcement agency providing services to a diverse community. A group of talented professionals, the Alexandria   Police Department is a dedicated team of people who, in partnership with the community, work to create and maintain a safe and secure environment for our residents, merchants, and visitors. We are a diverse organization, reflecting Alexandria’s various cultures and offering many different career and promotional opportunities.