Gerald Plock Associates, Inc.
101 E. Park Blvd, Suite 600, PMB 634
Plano, Texas 75074
Phone: (817) 464-4610
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Gerald Plock Associates, Inc. Phone: (817) 464-4610 |
Is Seeking an Executive Director
Nashville and Davidson County, located in the north central part of Tennessee, is the capital of the state of Tennessee and the state?’s second largest metropolitan area. The City offers all the advantages of a thriving metropolitan area, yet still prides itself on maintaining an atmosphere of friendliness and hospitality that is not readily found in today?’s fast-paced society. Nashville?’s location and environmental setting provide many advantages. The city also offers a prime housing market to residents and newcomers alike. All sections of the city, from the renovated downtown homes to quiet established neighborhoods, offer both residents and visitors something unique and interesting, each providing a small town community with the benefits of proximity to a major urban center.
Nashville is the center of activity for a region of one and a half-million people stretching across Davidson and surrounding counties. The city?’s economy has grown significantly over the years. The area has benefited from a diverse economy, low unemployment, and consistent job growth. This, along with the location, services and low taxes, attracts many new companies to the area. The City?’s major industries include publishing, health care, banking, education, tourism and insurance. Tennessee has no income tax on personal income and Nashville?’s property taxes are among the lowest in the country. The cost of living in Nashville is consistently below the national average. Nashville has 127 public schools serving over 75,000 students and 43 private schools in the city serving students from pre-kindergarten to adult. Nashville is also home to 18 colleges and universities, including two medical colleges and two historical black colleges. Seven of Nashville?’s institutions of higher education offer graduate programs. Nashville is also a leading center for medical research and education with Vanderbilt University emphasizing medical research and Meharry Medical College specializing in health care.
Metropolitan
Nashville-Davidson County Government
Nashville was the first and is still one of a few U.S. cities to have a consolidated city/county government. The combination makes Metropolitan Government unique, with a diverse mixture of services. Over 50 agencies carry out the many ?‘businesses?’ of the Metropolitan Government. Ten thousand plus employees staff these many operations, making Metro the city?’s third largest employer.
The Mayor is the chief executive, and is elected to four-year terms. The current Mayor is Bill Purcell, reelected in 2003 to a second 4-year term.
The Legislative authority of the Metropolitan Government is the Metro Council. The Council consists of 40 members, plus the Vice-Mayor, who serves as presiding officer. Members of the Council are elected for a term of four years and are limited to serving two consecutive terms.
The Metropolitan Human Relations Commission was created by ordinance 11.20 in 1965 and charged with the enforcement power and responsibility to receive complaints of discrimination. This was a time of heightened racial tension in Nashville. It was the first such Human Rights agency in Tennessee. The Fair Employment law for Nashville was passed by the Metro Council and signed into law in 1968.
In 1994, the Commission was reestablished through Chapter 2.132 of the Metropolitan Code. Under this Code, the Commission is mandated to investigate allegations of discrimination in a number of areas including housing, financial services and commercial transactions, public accommodations, educational programs and opportunities, and employment. The basis of such an investigation may be race, sex, national origin, religion, color, age and/or disability.
The mission of the Metro Human Relations Commission is to protect and promote the personal dignity of all people by protecting and promoting their safety, health, security, peace and general welfare. The Commission?’s scope of responsibility is broad and includes employment, housing, financial services and commercial transactions, public accommodations, and the provision of city activities and services. The international, refugee and immigrant populations in Nashville will continue to increase. The increase makes cultural sensitivity and diversity awareness activities a necessity as we attempt to make our city more culturally tolerant.
The Commission carries out the mission proactively and reactively by:
?· investigating complaints regarding discrimination; reviewing allegations of discriminatory conduct by metro government employees
?· lessening and eliminating prejudice and discrimination through educational and awareness-enhancing programs designed to promote tolerance, respect, and the value of diversity;
?· proposing legislation addressing human relations issues and enhancing the enforcement of statutes and ordinances that already exist;
?· fostering mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect among all economic, social, religious, ethnic, and other community groups
?· collecting data regarding discrimination and human relations
?· investigating patterns of discrimination and issues various reports on the state of human relations in Metropolitan Nashville.
The Metro Human Relations Commission is governed by a 17-member volunteer board representing a cross section of Nashville citizens. Commission members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Metro Council.
The Human Relations Commission?’s FY2004 operating budget is $477,000. The Human Relations Commission currently employs a staff of 5: Executive Director, Compliance Services Manager, Program Specialist, Compliance Inspector and Office Representative.
A strategic planning session was held recently to discuss the Commission?’s future direction, performance targets, measures of success and accountability structures. Highlights from the discussion included the following directives:
The Executive Director is responsible for managing the day-to-day duties of HRC and implementing Commission policies and objectives. The Executive Director is appointed by and reports to the Commission. The Executive Director is a Metro Government Department Head and receives general direction from the Mayor, who sets the overall goals for the Metropolitan Government. While the HRC is a Metro civil agency, the Executive Director is not a civil service position.
The Executive Director shall have at least five (5) years?’ experience in human and/or community relations. Bachelor?’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent is required.
Knowledge & Skills
The successful candidate will keep abreast of federal, state and local legislation and developments on human rights and human relations issues and keep the Commission apprised of these changes. The ideal candidate will also have strong administrative skills and abilities, including experience in human resources and in the preparation and administration of the budget. The ideal candidate should also have experience in training and be comfortable supervising the compliance enforcement process.
It is expected that the Executive
Director will be politically astute, provide sound recommendations to the
Commission and assist in providing focus to the Commission and community.
Management Style &
Personal Traits
The ideal candidate will:
q Be an effective leader and provide clear direction regarding expectations and appropriate feedback to staff.
q Possess a high level of professional and personal integrity.
q Be experienced working with elected and appointed officials and be skillful at reconciling divergent points of view. Be viewed as fair and impartial.
q Be skilled at translating Commission approved policy decisions to staff for implementation.
q Have excellent interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to work effectively with a range of people and personalities and with differing political perspectives.
q Have the ability to build and maintain strong relationships and partnerships with various business, community, cultural, ethnic and religious groups.
q Be comfortable serving as spokesperson for the Commission in a wide variety of public settings and to the media.
q Be experienced in marketing and strategic planning and be skilled in implementation.
q Have the ability to work with elected and appointed officials and be able to function in an environment of limited direction/supervision.
$60,000-$75,000, negotiable depending upon qualifications and experience. In addition to salary, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County offers an excellent benefit package which includes vacation, holiday, and sick leave; health, dental, mental health and life insurance. Other available benefits include a flexible spending account, deferred compensation and a voluntary insurance program.
Interested candidates should send their resumes to Gerald Plock Associates, Inc., Mr. Gerald Plock, 7501 Stallion Circle, Flower Mound, Texas 75022. Phone: 817-464-4610 Fax: 817-464-4061 ; Email: geraldplock@geraldplockassoc.com.
Final candidates will be subject to background check. In compliance with Tennessee Law all applications are subject to public disclosure.
An Equal opportunity employer/recruiter
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