[Added by L.L. No. 2-2008]
There is hereby created a Department of Human Resources under
the jurisdiction, supervision and control of the Mayor of the City
of Mount Vernon. The Mayor shall appoint a "Commissioner of Human
Resources" who shall be the head of the Department of Human Resources
to hold office during the pleasure of the Mayor. The Commissioner
shall appoint a Deputy Commissioner of Human Resources and such other
subordinates as may be prescribed by the Board of Estimate and Contract.
The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner shall receive an annual salary
to be fixed by the Board of Estimate and Contract. In case of the
absence or disability of the Commissioner, or a vacancy in the department,
the Deputy Commissioner shall discharge the duties of the department
until the Commissioner of Human Resources returns, the disability
ceases or the vacancy is filled.
(1)
The Commissioner of Human Resources shall be a person experienced
in personnel work; possess thorough knowledge of the federal, state,
county and local laws, rules, regulations and the general principles,
practices and legal framework of modern personnel and civil service
administration, and principles and techniques of effective administrative
supervision; and possess the ability to collectively negotiate, critically
evaluate any program area; write tabular and narrative reports; plan,
direct and evaluate the performance of assigned staff through subordinate
supervisors, and develop and maintain effective and harmonious working
relationships with elected and managerial officials and employees
at all levels.
(2)
The Deputy Commissioner of Human Resources shall be experienced in
personnel work; possess knowledge of the federal, state, county and
local laws, rules, regulations and general principles and practices
used in public human resource administration and civil service administration;
and the ability to identify critical problem areas and to formulate
and implement solutions with minimum disruption to ongoing operations,
and train and supervise the work of others.
The Commissioner shall have the following powers and duties,
which shall be exercised and performed subject to the provisions of
law:
(a)
Develop and recommend human resource policies and actions for City
service covering such areas subject to final approval by the Mayor
as required;
(b)
Develop and recommend overall human resources management strategies
as part of the ongoing process relating to the overall planning, development
and organization of City services;
(c)
Develop, administer and communicate the compensation plan for managerial
and unrepresented employees;
(d)
Participate in the labor relation programs for the City including
contract negotiations and administration with all recognized bargaining
units pertaining to all terms and conditions of employment consistent
with provisions of the Taylor Law of New York State;
(e)
Oversee the development of policies and administration of the City's
compensation program including rules of salary administration, changes
in salary scales, fringe benefits, subject, as appropriate, to approval
by the City's legislative policies;
(f)
Oversee the administration of the classification program for the
City, ensuring the title assigned to any position and its corresponding
job specification is appropriate to work actually performed, that
required knowledge, skills, abilities, attributes, training, and experience
requirements are those minimally needed to perform designated work;
(g)
Direct the conduct of investigations concerning all matters touching
upon the enforcement and effect of the provisions of the New York
State Civil Service Law and all rules and regulations established
thereunder including the City Civil Service Rules and has the authority
to subpoena and require the attendance of witnesses and the production
of books and papers pertinent to the investigation;
(h)
Interpret the law and rules and City personnel and human resource
policies to department heads and appropriate local officials providing
advice and assistance in reviewing and resolving employee grievances,
as well as resolutions of personnel problems;
(i)
Confer with various City departments, agencies, bureaus and programs
and evaluate recommended staffing needs and make appropriate recommendations;
(j)
Act as a consultant for a wide variety of employee/employer problems,
and maintain dose working relationships with public and private agencies;
(k)
Advise all City departments, agencies and bureaus regarding personnel
services of applicable laws, rules and regulations and labor contracts;
(l)
Assist the Law Department or outside consultants in representing
the City in various matters such as unemployment insurance claims,
and other cases where the personnel policies of the City are challenged;
(m)
Administer recruitment and interview process for prospective employees;
(n)
Maintain all personnel records, reports and logs on present and past
employees and administer employee benefit programs for retired employees;
(o)
Perform any other functions that are necessary or appropriate to
fulfill the duties and responsibilities of office.
