Responsibilities

The Human Resources Department has varied responsibilities to help support the Town and its employees. Some of these responsibilities include managing the hiring process from recruitment to retention, overseeing salary and benefits, facilitating employee training, maintaining accurate employee records, and collaborating with the Fire Chief/Safety Officer to ensure safety and risk management.

However, the Human Resources Department focuses on more than just task needs by focusing on three different pillars of Human Resources: protecting the Town and Its employees, being an advocate for Town employees, and serving as a liaison between people and teams.

Protecting the Town and Town Employees

The primary focus of the HR Department is to protect the Town and Its Employees, and they work in tandem. By safeguarding the Town, it helps ensure job security and safety for all Town Employees. Without them, there is no need for an HR Department. This can take various forms, including ensuring proper hiring techniques, providing fair and equitable treatment to all employees, hiring qualified individuals with the necessary skills and abilities for the job, creating and implementing effective policies, and strategic planning for workforce growth. 

Additionally, one of the keys to this pillar is increasing the Town's brand recognition. By engaging with the community, attending recruiting events, and promoting the city, the HR Department, along with other departments, helps keep Nashville in the conversation for attracting talent, citizens, and businesses.

Being an Advocate for Employees

The Town of Nashville's HR Department aims to be a voice for employees in situations where they may need one. Whether that is trends in industry standards that are emerging, or from employees' concerns. The HR Department is dedicated to making sure that the employees know that they can always come with any concerns, and we will advocate for the best possible benefits and environment that align with the Town of Nashville's vision, goals, and abilities.
The purpose of this pillar is to make sure that when HR walks in, employees do not have the knee-jerk reaction of fear that unfortunately comes so often in the HR world, but know that the HR Department is there because they value each and every one and want to be a tool for them.

Being a Liaison Between People and Teams

If there is one thing for certain about change, is that you cannot stop it. Either you embrace it and try to control it, or you resist it. The Local Government world is not exempt from change either, and often when new technology, policies, or procedures come, it can increase frustration. The Town of Nashville's Human Resource Department focuses on facilitating change management by communicating the rationale behind changes while also addressing concerns. This process helps each other understand where the other side is coming from.

Vision

To exceed the needs of the Town, its employees, and its citizens by hiring, equipping, and retaining the best and brightest people, by embracing and leveraging change in technology, growth, and ideas.

Values

Everything stems from the following values that form the acronym SERVE. Everything we do is to serve those around us, whether we coach, counsel, support, follow, or lead, we do so to serve.

Sincerity

People have a value that cannot be quantified; only through sincere actions can that value be unleashed.

Engagement

Only through engaging with people can we understand their needs, desires, strengths, and opportunities.

Recognition

We recognize that it is not about one person but the team, and we  desire to recognize everyone's efforts.

Vested

We are invested in the success of the Town, Its employees, and Its citizens.

Excellence

If it is not worth doing well, it is not worth doing. We will strive for excellence, so even if we fall short, we are still great!