OCJ - Human Resources Administrator

Administrator

The Human Resources Administrator provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for all human resources functions within the Court. This executive-level position develops and implements HR strategies, policies, and programs that support the Court's mission, workforce needs, and organizational goals. The Human Resource Administrator serves as a trusted advisor to the Chief Judge, Court Administrator, judicial officers, and senior leadership on workforce planning, employee relations, compensation, benefits, talent management, organizational development, and compliance matters. The Human Resources Administrator is responsible for ensuring that human resources operations are conducted efficiently, ethically, and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, and judicial branch policies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive human resources strategy aligned with the Court's mission, goals, and operational priorities.
• Advise executive leadership on workforce planning, succession planning, organizational effectiveness, and talent management.
• Lead the development of long-range workforce initiatives to support current and future staffing needs.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, diversity, equity, inclusion, and employee engagement.
• Direct and oversee all human resources programs and functions, including recruitment, classification and compensation, benefits administration, employee relations, performance management, training, and compliance.
• Establish and maintain effective HR policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Evaluate and improve HR processes, systems, and service delivery models.
• Oversee HR information systems, personnel records management, and reporting functions.
• Direct recruitment and retention strategies for judicial and non-judicial personnel.
• Ensure effective hiring practices that attract and retain a highly qualified and diverse workforce.
• Lead workforce planning initiatives and staffing analyses.
• Oversee executive-level recruitment and selection activities.
• Provide executive oversight of employee relations matters, workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution.
• Serve as the Court's principal advisor on complex personnel matters.
• Lead labor-management relations and collective bargaining activities where applicable.
• Develop strategies to improve employee engagement, morale, and organizational culture.
• Direct compensation and classification programs to ensure internal equity and market competitiveness.
• Oversee employee benefits programs, retirement programs, wellness initiatives, and leave administration.
• Recommend compensation policies and benefit enhancements to court leadership.
• Conduct compensation studies and workforce analyses.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Direct the development, implementation, and administration of personnel policies and procedures.
• Oversee compliance with EEO, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, workers' compensation, and other employment requirements.
• Manage employment-related risk and recommend corrective actions when necessary.
• Coordinate responses to audits, investigations, and legal inquiries involving employment matters.
• Lead leadership development, succession planning, and employee development initiatives.
• Promote continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
• Direct performance management and organizational effectiveness programs.
• Support change management initiatives and organizational transformation efforts.
• Develop and administer the Human Resources Department budget.
• Monitor expenditures and ensure efficient allocation of resources.
• Prepare reports, recommendations, and presentations for court leadership and governing bodies.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate HR management and professional staff.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of human resources management principles, practices, and employment law.
• Knowledge of public-sector, judicial branch, and government personnel systems.
• Strong leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development skills.
• Ability to advise executive leadership on sensitive and complex workforce matters.
• Knowledge of labor relations and collective bargaining principles.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong analytical, financial, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in highly sensitive situations.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of demonstrated human resources experience, including significant management and leadership responsibilities.
• Minimum of five years of supervisory experience managing professional HR staff.
• Experience in government, public-sector, judicial branch, or court administration strongly preferred.
• Master's degree in Human Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Juris Doctor preferred
• Professional certification such as Society for Human Resource Management – Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), International Public Management Association for Human Resources – Senior Certified Professional (IPMA-SCP) or equivalent preferred. Certification may be required within a specified period after appointment.

Other Requirements Working conditions/physical requirements:

• Ability to sit or stand at a desk in viewing a computer screen for long periods of time.
• Ability move around the office suite, courthouse, and elsewhere, and ability to travel to various court locations, as required.
• Ability to intermittently twist to reach equipment and supplies.
• Ability to perform simple grasping and fine manipulation.
• Strength to lift objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to use a telephone and computer.
• Ability to work in office 100% of scheduled work week.

This position requires a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check. Applicants are advised that as a Drug Free Workplace, use of medical or recreational marijuana is prohibited and will disqualify a candidate from employment. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all required screening criteria. Information concerning the benefits for this position can be found at the Circuit Court of Cook County Employment Opportunities Page. Please apply by filling out the application at our Career Page.

THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER It is the policy of the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment. No person is to be discriminated against in employment because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Revised: June 2026