Human Resource Director

Job Description

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Director of Human Resources

Full-Time | Exempt | Reports to Executive Director

Organization:

CESC, Inc. d/b/a The Kearney Center

Location:

2650 Municipal Way, Tallahassee, FL 32304

Department:

Administration

Reports To:

Executive Director

FLSA Status:

Exempt (Salaried)

Salary Range:

$75,000 – $90,000 annually, commensurate with experience

Schedule:

Monday – Friday; occasional evenings/weekends as needed

Date Posted:

February 2026

ABOUT THE KEARNEY CENTER

The Kearney Center is the only comprehensive 24-hour emergency shelter serving Florida’s Big Bend region across eight counties. Operating under a Housing First philosophy, we provide emergency shelter, case management, medical services, meals, and mobile outreach to more than 2,000 clients annually. Our mission is to connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness with the resources and support they need to achieve stable housing and self-sufficiency.

We are a passionate, mission-driven team working at the intersection of compassion and accountability. This is a unique opportunity to join an organization during a period of significant growth, governance reform, and strategic investment in its people and infrastructure.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Human Resources is a newly created position that will serve as the organization’s first dedicated HR professional. Reporting directly to the Executive Director and serving as a peer member of the senior leadership team alongside the Chief Operating Officer, this role is responsible for building and managing the full spectrum of human resources functions across the organization.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in a dynamic, resource-constrained environment and is energized by the challenge of building systems from the ground up. The Director of HR will establish HR policies, procedures, and infrastructure where little currently exists, while also managing the day-to-day operational demands of payroll, benefits, compliance, employee relations, and recruitment for approximately 35–40 employees operating across shifts in a 24-hour facility.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Human Resources Strategy & Infrastructure

• Develop and implement a comprehensive HR framework including an employee handbook, policies, procedures, and standardized forms
• Create and maintain job descriptions for all positions across the organization
• Advise the Executive Director and senior leadership on workforce planning, organizational structure, and HR best practices
• Build HR reporting capabilities to support data-driven decision-making on staffing, turnover, and compensation

Recruitment, Hiring & Onboarding

• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle: job postings, candidate screening, interview coordination, reference checks, and offer letters
• Conduct or coordinate background checks and credential verification for all new hires in accordance with grant requirements and organizational policy
• Design and implement a structured onboarding program that acclimates new employees to organizational culture, compliance requirements, and role expectations
• Partner with department supervisors to identify staffing needs and develop proactive recruitment strategies, including leveraging university partnerships and community networks

Payroll & Benefits Administration

• Oversee payroll processing, time and attendance tracking, and leave management to ensure accuracy and timeliness
• Administer employee benefits programs including health insurance, dental, vision, retirement (403(b)), and other offerings
• Lead annual benefits renewal and open enrollment processes; evaluate and negotiate with insurance providers and brokers to ensure competitive, cost-effective coverage
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee questions regarding pay, benefits, and leave policies

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure organizational compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, and Florida employment statutes
• Maintain compliance with grant-specific personnel requirements, including documentation standards for DCF, HUD, and other federal and state funding sources
• Manage personnel files, I-9 documentation, and employment records in accordance with retention policies and audit requirements
• Coordinate with external accounting firm (Northrop Financial Group) on payroll tax filings, workers’ compensation, and related financial compliance
• Prepare for and support organizational audits by maintaining audit-ready HR documentation at all times

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Serve as a neutral, professional resource for employee concerns, grievances, and conflict resolution
• Develop and implement a progressive discipline process with appropriate documentation, ensuring consistency and legal defensibility
• Coach supervisors and managers on employee relations best practices, including performance feedback, documentation, and corrective action procedures
• Support the creation of a supervisory layer between frontline staff and senior leadership to improve accountability and reduce organizational risk
• Conduct or coordinate workplace investigations as needed

Training & Professional Development

• Coordinate mandatory training programs including de-escalation training, safety protocols, and any grant-required certifications
• Track training completion and compliance across all staff, ensuring the organization meets funder and regulatory requirements
• Identify opportunities for professional development and recommend training programs that support employee retention and growth
• Manage relationships with training vendors and platforms

Administrative Support

• Prepare and distribute donation acknowledgment and tax letters in coordination with the development team
• Maintain and update organizational records, employment files, and compliance documentation
• Provide general administrative support to the Executive Director as needed during periods of high organizational activity

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Organizational Management, or a related field
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive HR experience, including at least two (2) years in a generalist or leadership capacity with responsibility across multiple HR functions
• Demonstrated experience with payroll administration, benefits management, and employment law compliance
• Strong working knowledge of federal and Florida employment laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, workers’ compensation)
• Experience managing employee relations issues including investigations, disciplinary actions, and terminations
• Proficiency with HRIS platforms, payroll systems, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to pass a Level 2 background check as required by DCF and grant funders

Preferred Qualifications

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification
• Experience working in nonprofit organizations, particularly in social services, homeless services, or behavioral health
• Experience with grant-funded personnel compliance (DCF, HUD, CoC, or similar)
• Experience building HR infrastructure in an organization that previously lacked formal HR functions
• Master’s degree in HR, business, or public administration
• Familiarity with Paylocity, QuickBooks, Blackbaud, or similar nonprofit systems
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus

KEY COMPETENCIES

Mission Alignment: A genuine passion for serving people experiencing homelessness and a deep understanding of the dignity, complexity, and challenges inherent in this work.

Builder’s Mentality: Energized by creating systems, processes, and structure where little currently exists. Comfortable with ambiguity and resourceful in finding solutions.

Professional Maturity: A calm, measured presence who can navigate sensitive situations — employee conflicts, disciplinary actions, organizational change — with discretion, empathy, and professionalism.

Operational Agility: Able to move seamlessly between strategic planning and hands-on execution. In a small organization, the Director of HR will draft the policy and also process the payroll.

Collaborative Leadership: Works effectively as a peer to the COO and other senior leaders. Coaches and supports supervisors without undermining their authority. Earns trust across all levels of the organization.

Compliance Orientation: Detail-oriented with a strong sense of accountability. Understands that in a grant-funded environment, documentation is not bureaucracy — it is organizational survival.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is based on-site at The Kearney Center, a 24-hour emergency homeless shelter. The work environment includes direct proximity to clients experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, and substance use issues. The Director of HR must be comfortable working in a shelter environment and interacting respectfully with clients and staff from diverse backgrounds.

The role is primarily sedentary office work with standard computer use. Occasional walking through the facility, attendance at off-site meetings, and participation in organizational events (including evenings and weekends) is expected. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary: $75,000 – $90,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The target hiring range for candidates with 5–7 years of progressive HR experience is $80,000 – $85,000.

Benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Professional development support, including SHRM certification and conference attendance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer
• Life insurance and disability coverage

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to:

Sonya Wilson, Executive Director

Subject Line: Director of Human Resources Application

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The target start date is April 1, 2026.

Company Description

The Kearney Center is a 24-hour comprehensive emergency service center that serves as a point of entry into assistance by coordinating services and responding to immediate needs of individuals until appropriate permanent housing can be arranged. We opened in April 2015 as a one-stop-shop for individuals experiencing homelessness or economic hardship in the North Florida region. The Kearney Center provides overnight shelter and daytime services that connect clients with social service providers, case management, and housing-focused programs. The most basic needs (such as a warm shower, hot meal, and clean clothes) are provided alongside information and referrals to a variety of social service agencies in our community.

The Kearney Center provides space for state/federal/local governmental agencies, non-profits, and faith-based organizations to co-locate and provide wrap-around services to clients. It is our policy to help any individual regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religious

Company Description

The Kearney Center is a 24-hour comprehensive emergency service center that serves as a point of entry into assistance by coordinating services and responding to immediate needs of individuals until appropriate permanent housing can be arranged. We opened in April 2015 as a one-stop-shop for individuals experiencing homelessness or economic hardship in the North Florida region. The Kearney Center provides overnight shelter and daytime services that connect clients with social service providers, case management, and housing-focused programs. The most basic needs (such as a warm shower, hot meal, and clean clothes) are provided alongside information and referrals to a variety of social service agencies in our community.\r\n\r\nThe Kearney Center provides space for state/federal/local governmental agencies, non-profits, and faith-based organizations to co-locate and provide wrap-around services to clients. It is our policy to help any individual regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religious