Human Resources Coordinator - Employee Relations & Compliance

About the role

Under the direction of the Human Resources Director, this employee serves as a confidential human resources professional supporting organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, and workforce operations. This position independently performs a broad range of professional human resources functions requiring sound judgment, analytical thinking, initiative, and problem-solving, including recruitment and talent acquisition, employee relations, safety and risk management, HR compliance, and records administration. The Human Resources Coordinator - Employee Relations & Compliance exercises discretion in interpreting policies, resolving issues, prioritizing work, and recommending solutions while providing responsive customer service to employees, supervisors, applicants, union representatives, and the public. The position supports strategic and operational human resources initiatives that align with organizational goals, legal requirements, and best practices in public sector human resources management.

Responsibilities

• Provides professional human resources consultation and assistance to County departments, supervisors, and employees regarding human resources policies, procedures, practices, and employment matters.
• Provides guidance and assistance regarding employee relations matters, including performance management, workplace concerns, policy interpretation, and other employment-related issues.
• Conducts employee relations investigations and fact-finding as assigned by the Human Resources Director. Prepares objective summaries of factual findings for review by the Human Resources Director or appropriate management.
• Assists with the interpretation and administration of County policies, personnel rules, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable federal and state employment laws and regulations.
• Coordinates and manages employee leave administration, including FMLA, Minnesota Paid Leave (MNPL), and Workers' Compensation claims, ensuring regulatory compliance, accurate documentation, effective communication, and responds to employee questions and concerns.
• Participates in the development, review, and implementation of human resources policies, procedures, programs, and initiatives.
• Maintains current knowledge of federal and state employment laws, regulations, human resources practices, and other developments affecting County employment.
• Monitors, researches, and interprets changes in federal, state, and local employment laws, regulations, and human resources trends. Evaluates operational impact and independently recommends policy, procedural, or practice improvements to support organizational compliance and effectiveness.
• Serves as the County's Safety Officer and coordinates workplace safety, risk management, workers' compensation, and loss prevention activities. Analyzes claim trends, identifies areas of organizational risk, and develops recommendations for corrective and preventative action.
• Administers and monitors the organization's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
• Coordinates and administers full-cycle recruitment and selection processes in partnership with hiring managers. Coordinates recruitment activities, identifying process improvements, resolving issues, and supporting equitable and effective hiring practices.
• Maintains and processes human resources records, documentation, and transactions, including new hire documentation, personnel records, medical files, recruitment records, and other departmental records in compliance with organizational policies and applicable legal requirements.
• Participates in special projects, process improvement initiatives, organizational development efforts, HR technology implementation, and employee engagement activities. Identifies operational needs, recommends improvements, and assists in implementing solutions that enhance efficiency and service delivery.
• Promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, cultural competence, and respectful workplace practices throughout the organization.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, elected officials, union representatives, external agencies, and members of the public through professional, respectful, and solution-oriented communication.
• Performs the physical and mental demands associated with the position.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance and may work extended, evening, or weekend hours as necessary to meet organizational needs.
• May coordinate, assign, or oversee the work of interns, trainees, or temporary staff.
• Participates in ongoing professional development activities to maintain current knowledge of human resources practices, employment law, labor relations, workplace safety, and public sector trends. Attends training sessions, conferences, and professional association meetings as appropriate.
• Collaborates with peers, professional organizations, and governmental agencies to support continuous learning, benchmarking, and professional excellence.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or apparent.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications: Bachelor's degree in human resources management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field with relevant coursework and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in human resources administration including employee relations, interpretation and application of personnel policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, employee leave programs, and employment law.

Preferred qualifications: Master's degree in human resources management, business administration, public administration, organizational development, or related field with pertinent coursework. SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification. Experience managing employee leave programs. Local government experience.

Pay

Salary $77,542.40 - $108,659.20 annually. Blue Earth County features a 12-Step Pay Plan. The advertised salary ranges include all 12 Steps. A selected candidate will typically be offered Step 1 of the salary range. Additional salary considerations are subject to negotiation and dependent on skills and experience directly related to the position.

Schedule

Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Extended, evening, and weekend hours may be required. Hours of work are structured to meet service demand and the needs of the public.

Benefits

Non-Union. The County of Blue Earth provides a comprehensive, balanced, competitive total compensation package. The County's benefit programs address both the immediate needs that you and your family may have, such as medical coverage or dependent care assistance, and your long-term needs, such as retirement savings. Benefits begin upon date of hire.

• Vacation Leave: Accrual rates based on years of service: 0–5 years: 3.85 hours bi-weekly; 6–9 years: 4.77 hours; 10–13 years: 5.69 hours; 14–18 years: 6.62 hours; 19–24 years: 7.54 hours; 25+ years: 8.46 hours.
• Sick Leave: Employees accrue sick leave at a rate of eight (8) hours for each full month of service.
• Paid Holidays: Blue Earth County recognizes 11 (88 hours) paid holidays.
• Health Insurance: Employees may choose from 3 health insurance plans and either single or family coverage. Monthly rates effective July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027:
  • Plan 1 (CMM $0 Deductible): Employee Single - $157.63 / Family - $1,389.71; Employer Single - $1,418.63 / Family - $3,242.66
  • Plan 2 (CMM $300 Deductible): Employee Single - $1.18 / Family - $929.98; Employer Single - $1,418.64 / Family - $3,242.66
  • Plan 3 (HDHP with HSA): Employee Single - $0.00 / Family - $488.78; Employer Single - $1,108.79 / Family - $2,769.74. County contributes to HSA: Single $1,700, Family $3,400.
• Dental Insurance: County provides employer contribution covering the dental premium for employee-only dental coverage. Upgrades to other plans available at employee's cost.
• Life Insurance: Term-Life Insurance at no cost: Non-Union Supervisory: $35,000 term-life / $35,000 AD&D; Department Directors/Elected Officials: $50,000 term-life / $50,000 AD&D.
• Retirement: PERA contributions: General/Coordinated Plan - Employee 6.5%, Employer 7.5%; Correctional Plan - Employee 6.83%, Employer 10.25%; Police & Fire Plan - Employee 11.8%, Employer 17.7%.
• Voluntary Benefits Available: AFLAC, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Nice Healthcare, Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care), Voluntary Life (Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren)), Deferred Compensation (457b), Roth IRA, 529 Educational Roth, Minnesota Benefits Association (MBA), Savi Student Loan Benefit.