Department Description
The Human Resources Department provides staff support in the areas of recruitment, training, safety, benefits administration, compensation oversight, employee and labor relations, safety and training, and budgeting to support benefit plans. The Human Resources Department ensures city compliance with many federal and state requirements such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), MIOSHA Standards, and Department of Transportation CDL Regulations.
Core Services
The department provides oversight of employee leave and attendance policies, administers safety programs, and assists training programs for the purpose of enhancing employees' technical and customer service skills. New employee orientation, employee wellness, employee safety, diversity and ensuring a professional work environment are supported through training activities. Department staff focus on labor contract administration and negotiations, accurate job descriptions, performance evaluations and improvement plans, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) compliance, compliance with safety regulations, performing safety inspections, and providing a safe work environment. The department supports the areas of benefits, compensation, strategic planning, cost analysis and budgeting for city benefit plans. This includes the oversight and funding of retirement plans to address legacy costs. The department manages the city self-insured workers’ compensation program, OSHA record keeping/compliance, and provides on-call assistance 24/7 for the ongoing management and follow-up of employment related injuries.
Department Goals
Objective: Reduce Staffing Vacancy Rates
Goal: Achieve the time to fill vacancies of 30 days
Strategies: Investigate improved applicant tracking system; Conduct a compensation survey to ensure City of Portage salary and benefits are competitive; Explore new / different recruiting / advertising tactics
Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Municipal Services and Finance
Objective: Streamline Internal Workflow Processes
Goal: Digitize 25% of forms, records, and documents
Strategies: Digitize open enrollment forms, employment applications, and onboarding records.
Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Environment and Municipal Services
Performance Measures
