The Human Resources Department consists of several divisions and sections that provide a full range of personnel and other services to city departments and agencies in accordance with the City Charter.
The Administrative Services Division is responsible for central support for all staff and is responsible for all employees’ personnel record audit and maintenance. It is also responsible for coordinating special projects including charitable campaigns, blood drive, March of Dimes and other special projects that benefit the welfare of our community. The Employee Assistance Center is also an integral part of this division and is responsible for planning, developing and implementing programs that offer professional assessments, short-term counseling, follow-up services to employees and their families with problems that may arise from a variety of personal issues.
The Employment Services Group consists of three major divisions: Recruitment/Selection, Employment Certification/Classification/Compensation. Recruitment and Selection is responsible for recruiting, screening and facilitating the selection of applicants. The division has responsibility for community outreach and other specialized recruitment activities, including student programs and the community outreach program. Workforce Planning provides a comprehensive look at departmental human capital issues, trends, and projections and provides an avenue for departments to develop appropriate strategic initiatives to ensure a competent, skilled and diverse workforce now and in the future. Workforce planning is the fundamental basis for managing recruitment, position management, student programs, organization/employee development and human resources policy management.
The Employment Certification Division is responsible for maintaining and implementing eligible lists for new hires, and other preferred eligible lists for re-employment. Vacancies are filled utilizing these lists pursuant to workforce planning documents of departments. This division also verifies documentation required for employment eligibility in accordance with INS (Immigration and Naturalization Services) regulations. This division coordinates post-offer candidate physical examinations, return to work physicals; and responds to unemployment benefit claims through MUA
(Michigan Unemployment Agency).
The Classification/Compensation Division is responsible for the city’s position classification plan and the compensation plan for non-union classifications and appointees. This division conducts analysis and evaluation of individual jobs, classifications and job families and assures coherent relationships, proper occupational grouping and compensation levels. In addition, staff consults, advises and furnishes information to department administrators, managers, executives and officials, on the classification plan, organization structure and salary administration. The staff investigates compensation alternatives, as well as reconciles, recommends and establishes non-union wage and salary rates.
The Organization/Employee Development Services Division coordinates employee training and organization change and development activities. In addition, this division coordinated the apprenticeship training program, tuition refund plan, advance leadership development programs, distance education and continuous improvement process training.
The Employee Benefits Office is responsible for administering medical, dental, and optical benefits for active employees and retirees. In addition, this unit serves as the conduit for premium payments to be forwarded to life and supplemental insurance carriers. The Employee Services Division provides technical and professional support and consulting services to city departments and agencies for various Human Resources transactions such as status changes, legal requirements related to the Family Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, employee transfers, workforce planning, payroll issues, collective bargaining agreements, organizational and employee development, health and affirmative action compliance.
The Hearings/Policy Development Division is responsible for a multitude of functions pertaining to the study and development of proposed policy statements on human resources issues and the maintenance of human resources policies. This division also assists other Human Resources staff and departments by providing policy interpretations and advice, including administering nonunion grievance procedure and providing administrative support to the Civil Service Commission. (Detroit City Charter Sections 6-501 to 6-519; City Code Chapter 13)
The Labor Relations Division was established in the Human Resources Department by Charter. The Mayor may appoint either the Human Resources Director or another person to head the Labor Relations Division. The Labor Relations Director serves at the pleasure of the Mayor.
Major responsibilities of the Labor Relations Division include coordinating employee relations activities, conducting labor negotiations on economic/non-economic issues and benefits, administering/interpreting collective bargaining agreements, participating in joint labor-management and dispute resolution activities.
The Labor Relations Division is also responsible for administering medical, dental and optical plans, as well as life and supplemental insurance benefits for active employees and retirees.