| About Openlands Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives. Openlands’ vision for the region is a landscape that includes a vast network of land and water trails, tree-lined streets, and intimate public gardens within easy reach of every city dweller. It also includes parks and preserves big enough to provide natural habitat and to give visitors a sense of the vast prairies, woodlands, and wetlands that were here before the cities. In sum, Openlands believes that protected open space is critical for the quality of life of our region. Position Summary This position presents an exciting opportunity to provide Director level responsibilities for our enhanced human resource function as well as broader purview of operations and administration for the organization. As such, this is not a standard Human Resource position. We are looking for someone that has a demonstrated successful track record in employee relations, training, evaluation, internal communications, and coaching. Additionally, we are looking for someone that has experience and interest in developing and implementing formal programs to engage interns and volunteers, and in supervising staff responsible for the office administration and engaging them in these new endeavors. This position reports to the VP of Finance and Administration. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Human Resources (approximately 50 % of the position) - Ensure that the HR function of the organization is following acceptable principles, IL labor laws, and sound nonprofit management principles and that federal, state, and local legal requirements are followed
- Supervise staff responsible for benefits and on boarding administration; engage same staff in executing overall human resource and administrative function
Develop and implement staff training and development, staff recognition, records management, safety and health awareness, succession planning, employee retention strategies. Evaluate, and participate in these programs - Develop and implement effective internal communication programs through all levels and directions in the organization
- Improve manager and employee performance by identifying and clarifying problems, evaluate potential solutions, implement solutions, coach and counsel managers and employees. Work directly with department managers to assist them in carrying out their responsibilities on personnel matters
- Develop and implement programs designed to assess and evaluate employee performance at all levels and establish programs to upgrade employee skills
- Develop a process and oversee the recruiting, hiring, orientation, evaluation, and firing process of staff
Improve manager and employee performance by identifying and clarifying problems, evaluate potential solutions, implement solutions, coach and counsel managers and employees. Work directly with department managers to assist them in carrying out their responsibilities on personnel matters- Periodically update employee handbook to reflect current laws and regulations; ensure its implementation
Administrative (approximately 50 % of the position) - Develop and implement an intern program including a process to recruit, select, orientate, train, and evaluate interns
- Oversee the volunteer program: Develop ongoing stewardship/engagement activities for volunteers
- Supervise staff responsible for the administration of office operations; engage same staff in the execution of intern and volunteer programs
- Participate in the design and implementation of organization policies and procedures, particularly with a focus of its impact on people
- Develop and implement a process to align Openlands programs with federal funding accessibility guidelines as they relate to program participants and volunteers
- Oversee staff compliance with policies involving timekeeping and PTO reporting
- Protect the organization by keeping information confidential
- Other duties as assigned
Work Environment - Loop office is accessible. This position requires attendance between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday.
- This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and scanners. Employee is regularly required to talk, hear, see, and communicate effectively via computer.
- Smoke- and drug-free environment
Openlands is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ qualified individuals based on individual merit. Openlands does not discriminate against any individual with respect to the terms and conditions of employment based on that individual’s race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, housing status, or any other non-merit factor protected under state, local or federal laws. Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotions, training, transfer, termination, and opportunities for training. Openlands is committed to a fair and equitable workplace where everyone is a respected and valued member of the team. |
