Public Safety Human Resources Manager (Fire Department)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Arlington County Fire Department (ACFD) is seeking an experienced and strategic Human Resources Manager to oversee all aspects of personnel management within the Fire Department. This is a newly created position reporting directly to the Deputy Chief of Personnel Services, serves as a member of the Department’s Command Staff, and may supervise both uniformed and civilian personnel.

The HR Manager actively manages the department’s collective bargaining agreements and human resources functions to include recruitment and hiring, background investigations, employee pay and benefits, and performance management. This is a hands-on role that requires both strategic thinking and daily execution of critical HR activities. The Manager also acts as the primary liaison between ACFD and the County’s centralized Human Resources Department, ensuring consistency in practice, communication, and policy alignment across the organization.

Major Job Duties:

• Providing strategic direction and actively managing day-to-day human resources functions and service delivery within the department;
• Serving as the lead for ACFD collective bargaining activities, including representing the department in negotiations, implementing contract provisions, and managing contract disputes;
• Advising leadership, supervisors, and employees on human resources issues, policy interpretation, employee relations, and compliance with County regulations;
• Personally managing and executing recruitment initiatives and campaigns, including developing and implementing strategies to attract, retain, and develop a diverse and talented workforce;
• Collaborating with County HR regarding workforce alignment and compensation structures;
• Monitoring department-wide performance management processes, providing training and support to supervisors to ensure consistency and fairness;
• Directing departmental risk management and employee relations functions, including oversight of light-duty status personnel and off-duty employment compliance;
• Serving as a hands-on practitioner who directly manages projects, prepares reports, and assists in operational implementation of department-wide HR initiatives; and
• Performing a wide variety of additional HR-adjacent duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will have a strong knowledge of human resource management policies and procedures, federal and state employment laws, along with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. This position requires building and maintaining effective working relationships while regularly engaging with all levels of the Fire Department, County Human Resources, the County Attorney’s Office, and County leadership across Arlington County Government.

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, public administration, business administration, criminal justice or a related field; and
• Significant and progressively responsible experience in providing expert-level human resources management, with a proven record of leadership and operational decision making.

Substitution(s): Additional qualifying experience can be substituted for the educational requirement.

Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to applicants with a Master’s degree in Human Resources or a related field and/or significant experience in one or more of the following:

• Working with bargaining units and negotiating collective bargaining agreements;
• Managing recruitment and hiring processes;
• Supervising human resources operations within a public safety agency with more than 100 employees;
• HRIS software, particularly Oracle based (PRISM+, Peoplesoft, Fusion Cloud);
• Demonstrating a hands-on leadership style with the ability to manage priorities, execute tasks directly, and support staff through active participation; and/or
• Working with and in a public safety and/or unionized environment.

Special Requirements

Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It will include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

Additional Inf