Scarborough Human Resources Department - Involvement and Future Perspectives

Employment
General Assistance Audits
Custodian of Town's Personnel Ordinance
Risk Management
Compensation
Inter Municipal Involvement
Scarborough Housing Alliance
Personnel Appeals Board
Benefits
Retirement
Americans with Disabilities Act
United Way
Employee Recognition

Employment

Assist Department Heads to hire full-time, part-time and seasonal employees. The employment function is enhanced by proactively working with Department Heads in Succession Planning initiatives to assure continuity of services and functions. Human Resources is directly involved with recruiting, interviewing and selecting applicants for positions. Prior to finalizing a new hire, several other safeguards are conducted to assure that the applicant is appropriate to employ. These include drug screens, pre-placement health assessments, background checks and psychological assessments for key positions. HR also reviews all internal promotions and job transfers.

General Assistance Audits

Strive to maintain a 100% compliance rating from our annual GA audit conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Custodian of the Town's Personnel Ordinance

The policies and changes in Federal and State statutes contained in the Town’s Personnel Ordinance are updated annually.

Risk Management

In conjunction with the Maine Municipal Association’s Claims and Risk Management Departments, the Human Resources Department partners with the Maine Municipal Association in the prevention and administration of workplace injuries and illnesses. Two primary initiatives include meeting quarterly with Claims Representatives to review and analyze work-related injuries and working with the Sr. Loss Control Consultant to develop Loss Analyses that visually and numerically profile workplace injuries by injury type and cost by injury type. This data is compiled on a town-wide and departmental basis and is used to prioritize our most urgent training needs. HR will continue to play a more proactive role by serving as the primary communication conduit to our departments. The Human Resources Department works closely with its occupational health care providers to assure appropriate and responsible medical care is given to injured employees. The Human Resources Director attends all mediations and hearings held at the Workers’ Compensation Board in Portland. The Human Resources Director also serves as the Town’s liaison to the Public Works and Community Services Safety Committees.

Compensation

Human Resources Director provides consistency and oversight of the Town’s pay plan. Periodically, wage and salary reviews are conducted by an outside consultant to assure consistency in compensation practices and to remain competitive with other regional municipalities so the Town can attract and retain a skilled and experienced workforce.

Inter-Municipal Involvement

The Human Resources Director coordinates and serves as the meeting chairperson for a group of Human Resource professionals from Southern and Central Maine communities and Cumberland County. The group meets nine times per year to discuss matters of mutual interest and relevance. The HR Director has increased the size of this group to over twenty municipalities.

Scarborough Housing Alliance

The need to provide affordable housing to seniors and residents is of eminent importance as the Town continues to grow and change. The Human Resources Director is the staff liaison to the Scarborough Housing Alliance (SHA) to assist in achieving the SHA’s short term and long range goals.

Personnel Appeals Board

The Human Resources Director is the Town’s liaison to the Personal Appeals Board. Employees who not covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement may file an appeal to the Board if they have been removed for disciplinary reasons or suspended without pay.

Benefits

The Town received a well deserved six (6) per cent reduction in health insurance premiums through the Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust for 2008. Human Resources continues to be vigilant of changes in the health insurance market so competitive benefits at an affordable cost can be provided to our employees. With the changes in technology and other related market pressures, preserving our service levels at a competitive rate presents an on-going challenge. An active Wellness Committee continues to have a positive impact on our health insurance experience.

Retirement

The Human Resources Director in conjunction with ICMA-RC plays a proactive role by providing a continuing educational program to employees with regards to retirement planning. An optional Roth IRA was recently added to the overall financial planning benefit package. Full-time employees who select a Defined Benefit Plan as their retirement option will become enrolled in the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (formally called the Maine State Retirement System). Human Resources enrolls employees in this system as requested and will interface with MainePERS to provide assistance to Town employees who are members or request a retirement benefit change.

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Human Resources Director serves as the Town’s ADA Coordinator. He works with the ADA Advisory Committee on an as-needed basis to address future matters requiring the committee’s attention.

United Way

The Human Resources Director serves as the Town’s Campaign Manager for United Way of Greater Portland’s annual campaign. The 2007 campaign pledges made by the Town’s full-time employees increased by 27% over the previous year. UW of Greater Portland recognized Scarborough in their June, 2008 newsletter.

Employee Recognition

Human Resources plans and conducts the annual Service Recognition Dinner and ceremony for employees celebrating their five year incremental anniversary date of employment with the Town. Human Resources will plan and administer the award ceremonies for employees who are selected for an Outstanding Employee Award.