Human Resources and Civil Service Director

The City of Lakeland, Florida seeks an experienced human resources executive to serve as the Human Resources and Civil Service Director, the chief HR officer responsible for centralized human resources programs across the city. This on site leadership role oversees recruitment, employee and labor relations, classification and compensation, employee development, benefits administration including self insured health benefits and wellness, and compliance with employment laws. The position offers an annual salary of USD 24,500 and requires a bachelor’s degree along with ten years of progressive HR experience.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and oversight for all human resources operations, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and best practices in municipal government.
• Advises and supports City leadership on workforce planning, organizational structure, compensation, employee relations, and personnel policy matters.
• Interprets and communicates HR programs, policies, and procedures to City administration, department directors, employees, their representatives, professional groups, and the public.
• Leads and manages employee and labor relations programs, including workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, and grievance processing.
• Directs and coordinates the City's Equal Employment Opportunity programs, including plan development, monitoring, complaint investigations, and recordkeeping.
• Develops and oversees the City's general training, employee engagement, leadership development, retention, and labor relations programs.
• Administers employee engagement and recognition programs, such as the Employee Suggestion Program, Service Awards, Educational Assistance, and City sponsored employee activities.
• Supervises the preparation and dissemination of internal HR communications.
• Oversees human resources transactions and records, ensuring accuracy, security, and legal compliance.
• Serves as a member of the labor negotiations team and acts as liaison with the City’s employee association.
• Leads or supports initiatives related to change management, workforce modernization, and organizational development.
• Provides administrative support to implement policies and administrative decisions of the Civil Service Board, including maintaining Board documents, statistical data, and attending all meetings of the Civil Service Board, its committees, and subcommittees.
• Oversees all City group medical insurance, including policy renewals, competitive bidding processes, specification development and evaluation, administration of self insured programs, and coordination with health and medical professionals.
• Manages the operations and administration of the City’s on site employee health clinic, including coordination of occupational health services, wellness initiatives, medical providers, and employee care programs.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated as Mission Critical.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or a related field.
• Ten years of progressively responsible professional human resources experience, including at least three years in a supervisory or senior leadership role.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid telephone number.
• An incumbent in this position is required to file a financial disclosure statement with the State of Florida in accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapter 112, Part III. This filing must be completed within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter, no later than July 1 of each year in which the individual serves in this position.

Technologies

• HRIS platforms

Benefits

• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• Sick Leave Pool
• Family and Medical Leave
• Pension Plan
• Defined Benefit Plan
• Defined Contribution Plan
• Deferred Compensation 457 Plan
• Maximum contribution limits and catch up provisions (2026)
• Holidays
• Funeral Leave
• Jury and Witness Duty
• Military Leave
• Maternity Leave
• Leave of Absence Without Pay
• Longevity Pay
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Suggestion Awards
• Direct Deposit of Paycheck
• Uniforms and Equipment
• Parking
• Break Periods
• Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance information available through Benefits