10/15/2025
SOUTHERN TIER ENVIRONMENTS FOR LIVING, INC.
Employment Opportunity
STEL, Inc. is the leading provider of mental health residential rehabilitation and support in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region. We seek caring, empathetic, and energetic individuals to join our team of professionals in supporting our mission to help people recover from mental illness. APPLY TODAY!
Job Title: Human Resource Director
Department: Administration
Reports to: Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer
Location: Dunkirk, NY
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Type: Full-time
Organization Overview:
Southern Tier Environments for Living, Inc. (STEL, Inc.) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing safe, supportive housing and mental health services to individuals with psychiatric disabilities and other challenges. Our mission is to empower individuals to achieve stability, wellness, and independence within a community of dignity and respect.
Position Summary:
The Human Resource Director provides strategic leadership and operational management of the agency's human resource functions. This includes recruitment, onboarding, compliance, employee relations, performance management, compensation and benefits, staff development, DEI initiatives, and organizational culture. The HR Director ensures that all HR practices support the mission, values, and goals of a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and person-centered organization.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership & Compliance:
Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with organizational goals and mission.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including FMLA, ADA, EEOC, OSHA, and labor regulations.
Serve as a key advisor to leadership on organizational structure, workforce planning, and policy development.
Recruitment & Talent Management:
Oversee recruitment, hiring, and onboarding processes to attract and retain qualified staff.
Promote inclusive and equitable hiring practices.
Collaborate with program managers to assess staffing needs and talent pipelines.
Employee Relations & Engagement:
Foster a culture of collaboration, respect, accountability, and inclusion.
Provide coaching and support to supervisors and staff to address workplace issues, performance concerns, and conflict resolution.
Lead internal investigations and manage disciplinary actions when necessary.
Compensation & Benefits Administration:
Manage compensation systems and ensure internal equity and external competitiveness.
Oversee benefits administration, including health insurance, leave policies, and wellness programs.
Evaluate benefits offerings and negotiate with vendors as needed.
Training & Staff Development:
Identify training needs and collaborate with other Directors to develop programs, including DEI and trauma-informed care training.
Support professional growth, retention, and succession planning across departments.
HR Operations & Systems:
Maintain and oversee personnel records in accordance with confidentiality and data protection standards.
Ensure accurate payroll processing in coordination with the Finance department.
Generate HR metrics and reports for executive leadership and the board as requested.
Qualifications:
Required:
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
Minimum of 7 years of progressive HR experience, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
Demonstrated knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.
Commitment to equity, diversity, and trauma-informed practices.
Preferred:
Master's degree in Human Resources, Public
Administration, or related field.
HR Certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, SPHR).
Familiarity with mental health services, supportive housing, or similar fields.
Key Competencies:
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Strategic thinker with hands-on implementation skills.
Ability to work collaboratively across departments and levels.
Sensitivity to the needs of a diverse, multicultural workforce.
Conflict resolution, negotiation, and coaching skills.
Salary & Benefits:
Salary commensurate with experience and excellent full-time benefits package including medical, dental, vision, Sec. 125 plan, retirement plan, employee assistance plan, and more. We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) Employer.
To Apply:
Please submit a resume and cover letter to Thomas J. Whitney, Executive Director. All applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
APPLY TO:
Thomas J. Whitney
Executive Director
STEL, Inc.
715 Central Avenue
Dunkirk, NY 14048
(716) 366-3200
whitneyt@stel.org
