HUMAN RESOURCE GENERALIST

With over two years of HR experience and 12 years of non-profit leadership experience Amelia has worked domestically and internationally with a diverse range of individuals and communities. She received her BA in Criminal Justice from Auburn University and her MBA with a Human Resource Management concentration from Nova Southeastern University, she is also a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP). Amelia is deeply committed to HR which is evident in her work for those she serves. Amelia brings a passion for collaborating with others to create a productive and healthy workplace where employees and managers thrive. When not at work, she spends most of her free time trying to keep up with her daughter as they go on adventures and explore new places! 

Duties include but are not limited to: 

• Support the Departments of Police, Public Works & Mobility, Mayor, Parking Commission, Attorney’s Office, and Court with the following:
  • Manage employment-related inquiries from applicants, employees, and supervisors, referring complex and/or sensitive matters to the appropriate staff.
  • Attend and participate in employee disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations.
  • Assist with the interactive process for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • Assist with labor relations to include interpretation and compliance with Collective Bargaining Agreements.
  • Review policies and practices to maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws regulations and recommended best practices.
  • Manage FMLA and ADA requests.
  • Perform investigations.
• Serve as the City Wellness Coordinator
• Manage various special projects related to personnel management.

CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

Angela (she/hers/her) brings over 12 years of experience providing Human Resource services in both the private and public sectors. She earned her Bachelor’s in Social Work and her Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Montana and currently holds numerous national HR certifications.  She is a servant leader who is passionate about educating employees and managers on legal and best practices found within high functioning organizations and takes a practical approach to Human Resources while working to help managers build and maintain effective workforces—their greatest asset! When she isn’t providing services to the City of Missoula, she is at work in her garden and spending time with her busy family.  

Duties include but are not limited to: 

• Develop and implement a HR plan that aligns with the overall mission and strategy of the City.  
• Provide HR guidance on special projects, talent reviews, training, change management, organizational design and strategic HR planning. 
• Develop comprehensive approaches for employee development, retention, and onboarding by refining or creating:  compensation and benefits, career paths and employee development, succession planning, and learning opportunities appropriate to the needs of the City. 
• Respond to HR demands of the City; assist in articulating HR policy at all levels. 
• Manage labor relations to ensure a partnership between the City and employee bargaining units; represent the City as chief spokesperson during collective bargaining. 
• Coach and counsel management in developing themselves and their teams to achieve improved performance and engagement. 
• Counsel, coach and guide managers and staff in addressing concerns and complaints to assure fair and equitable treatment while ensuring compliance with labor agreements, HR policies, and relevant regulations. 
• Mediate employee relations and performance issues while providing counsel to managers on appropriate methods of performance management.

HUMAN RESOURCE GENERALIST II

Dalton (he/him/his), is a skillful leader dedicated to growing and sustaining effective working relationships while supporting collaboration across all organizational levels. He encourages all city employees to learn from our community, to grow and strengthen service delivery, and invite open communication. These endeavors reflect his commitment to transforming and redesigning how government works using Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as a focal point. Dalton is currently pursuing a Master's of Public Administration from the University of Montana; he received a B.A. in Organizational Communication, minored in Non-Profit Administration, and holds an Associate degree in Accounting and Business Technology.  

Roy is a 7-year-old Siberian Husky, who accompanies Dalton. As Chief Happiness Officer, Roy’s only job is to spread joy and bring a smile to people's faces wherever he goes. He enjoys meeting new people and receiving scratches behind the ear. 

Duties include but are not limited to: 

• Develop strong relationships with City leadership and managers throughout the organization to help drive and influence results for a human-centered government.  
• Develop, maintain, and analyze various analytical and operational reports within HR which provide operational information and statistical data for management/department use; lead EEO-4 Data collection and reporting. 
• Provide guidance and recommendations for current and future operational/administrative policy, procedures, requirements, and guidelines, including assisting with implementation.
• Implement vision, strategies, plans, and goals of the City throughout the employee life cycle; Leads development and implementation of the internal onboarding process for all new hires.  
• Attend and participate in employee disciplinary meetings, performance improvement, terminations, and investigations; assist with the interactive process for accommodations under the Americans with Disability Act; assist with labor relations to include interpretation and compliance with Collective Bargaining Agreements. 
• Monitor and administers the electronic Performance Evaluation software program and internal processes for formal performance evaluations.   
• Represent HR in meetings with the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Commission and other City entities as assigned.  
• Support the Departments of: Fire, Parks & Recreation, Central Services and CPDI

RECRUITMENT SPECIALIST

Emmalee Plenger brings over 25 years of Human Resource experience to the City of Missoula serving as the Recruitment Specialist. Having worked for the Montana University System in Bozeman and Missoula, she brings the skills and experience of payroll, benefits, staff training, and recruitment. She has been an employee of integrity that follows the Mission and Vision of each institution.  

Duties include but are not limited to: 

• Create targeted job postings to capture the attention of qualified applicants. 
• Implement efficient and effective recruiting methods based on the specific position/industry to ensure the creation of a diverse and highly-qualified pool. 
• Assist managers in developing screening criteria used for the application review and interviewing processes, reviewing managers’ selection justifications, and conducting reference and background while confirming the hiring process is in compliance with all laws, policies and Collective Bargaining Agreements. 
• Collaborate with managers and other Human Resource staff to assist with identifying starting salaries, incentives, start dates, benefits, targeted recruitment efforts, and other details. 
• Collect recruitment and hiring data for tracking key departmental performance metrics. 
• Provide guidance to hiring managers on best practices for onboarding and serve as a member of the New Employee Experience team. 

BENEFITS SPECIALIST

Kay James has 18 years of Human Resource experience, along with 10 years in other capacities at the University of Montana, Missoula County and the City of Missoula.  She has her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and graduate coursework in Anthropology.  She was also on the Clinton Elementary School board for 10 years.  Kay has worked to improve working relationships and conditions of employment in all of her capacities.  When not at work, Kay is spending time with her grandchildren passing along understandings and beliefs of tolerance and inclusion.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Administer employee benefits programs, including eligibility determination, new hire enrollments and processing life claims.
• Provide guidance and instructions to employees for life changes. 
• Provide support with administering protected and personal leaves of absence. 
• Process requests, monitor and track Donated Leave. 
• Coordinate services of Allegiance Benefit Plan Management and MPERA (Montana Public Employee Administration).
• Maintain health screening tracking for the reduced deductible health plan. 
• Process retiree health insurance payments & health reconciliation.

RISK AND SAFETY MANAGER

Mike has been the Risk/Safety Manager since December of 2019, having served over 30 years in law enforcement with the City of Missoula.  Prior to that Mike worked for both Missoula and Mineral counties after earning his BA in Social Work from the University of Montana.   

Duties include but are not limited to: 

• Manage insurance and safety issues which may expose the City to liability and claims. 
• Serve as the Health Plan Administrator of the City's self-funded insurance benefit program. 
• Oversee management of the City’s Workers’ Compensation programs; serve as liaison with the insurance provider. 
• Manage private security hired to screen entry to City Hall and downtown facilities. 
• Lead City Wide Safety committee and oversight of the City Safety Plan. 
• Evaluate impact of policy, practice and legislation on the City’s insurance, safety and Workers' Compensation programs. 
• Review, analyze and evaluate City safety, emergency and disaster plans which are under current development.

HR COORDINATOR

Risa began her career with the City of Missoula in 2020. She started out as an Administrative Assistant and moved into her current role as HR Coordinator. She brings 10+ years of customer service and administrative experience with her. She believes in a high level of professionalism and strives to make the workplace a positive and productive environment.

Outside of work, Risa can usually be found gardening, enjoying crafts, or studying a foreign language.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Maintain all personnel files and employee data in various electronic systems. 
• Create and maintain forms for use across all departments citywide.
• Maintain the HR webpage.
• Provide exceptional customer service, answering questions and connecting internal and external customers with the appropriate HR team members. 
• Coordinate the onboarding of new hires from acceptance to first day logistics. 
• Provide general assistance to the department on various projects as needed.

CLASSIFICATION SPECIALIST