Vision
Forward looking, strategic business partner nationally acclaimed for maximizing the effectiveness of human capital.
Mission
A professional human resources department committed to attracting, retaining and developing a diverse and competent workforce that enables City agencies to achieve their business needs.
Office of Commissioner
Benita C. Ransom , SPHR, Commissioner
The Office of the Commissioner strives to ensure that Atlanta’s citizens have a competent and productive workforce, committed to the delivery of quality service. This office directs the development of short- and long-term strategies to support the business needs of operating departments, the establishment of budget priorities to accomplish HR initiatives, and the maintenance of the Dashboard measurement system to assess progress. It fosters the delivery of best-practice human resource services and provides leadership and guidance to DHR employees, City agencies and City employee groups. In essence, the department functions as advisor, change agent and strategic partner and communicates HR policies and related issues to City Council and Cabinet members. The goal is to make City government an employer of choice, with a workforce of employees dedicated to excellence, integrity, teamwork and improved customer service.
Business Support
Joan Hudson , SPHR, Business Manager
The Office of Business Support performs administrative, financial, procurement and data management functions for DHR. Although its day-to-day focus is administrative, Business Support also plays a strategic role linking budget development and resource allocation to the department's strategic plan, as well as supplying data for performance tracking and evaluation through the ATLStat. Other areas of responsibility include conducting maintaining personnel files for more than 8,000 active employees and more than 4,500 retirees and former employees; performing background investigations; responding to unemployment compensation claims and employment verification requests; conducting citywide voter registration drives; and handling open records requests and records subpoenas.
Departmental Support
Mary Ann Johnson, SPHR, Assistant Commissioner
Jerry Solamon, SPHR, Assistant Commissioner
Departmental Support is divided into two units that provide direct human resource services to City agencies. One unit supports the Departments of Aviation, Police, Fire, Corrections, Mayor, Council, Judicial Agencies, Law, Finance, Information Technology and Procurement. The other provides services to the Departments of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs; Planning and Development; Public Works; and Watershed Management. Each unit is headed by an Assistant Commissioner and has a staff of HR generalists responsible for addressing the full range of departmental issues, including recruitment and selection, classification, compensation, labor/management relations and training. The generalists forge strategic partnerships with assigned departments, serving as HR consultants and providing advice and assistance with issues such as performance management, workforce planning, change management and career development.
Diversity Management
Alfred Elder, PHR, Diversity Manager
The Office of Diversity Management works to elevate employee consciousness and appreciation for the differences and similarities that employees bring to the work environment. As an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination, City policy prohibits any form of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or veteran status. The goal is to ensure that the City’s equal opportunity policy is applied in all areas of human resource management. This office promotes a productive work environment by addressing real and perceived employee issues. It also annually conducts training sessions on sexual harassment, progressive discipline and the Fair Labor Standards Act for new employees and City departments. Such efforts facilitate federal non-discrimination compliance and help to attract non-traditional workers.
Employee Benefits
Charles E. Kimble, Benefits Director
Vacant, Benefits Manager
This division’s primary goal is to provide and maintain efficient and courteous customer relations in the administration, management and maintenance of the City’s insurance benefit programs. It is responsible for serving as the primary resource for health, dental, vision, life and supplemental insurance benefits offered to both active and retired employees. Charged with the overall management of the City's Health and Wellness Initiatives, the division operates an Employee Wellness Center, which includes a state-of-the-art fitness facility and an Employee Health Center. The Health and Wellness Initiatives provide services to retirees as well as active employees and their families. The division also sponsors health fairs, vision screenings, blood drives and monthly lunch and learn series that feature speakers who address a wide variety of health topics and complimentary nutritional lunches.
Organization and Employee Development
G. Lorenzo Wash, HR Administrator, Senior
The Office of Organization and Employee Development is responsible for citywide organization development, including performance management, executive development, career development, training, management and supervisory development, team building, organizational research, foreign language instruction, and basic skills enhancement. The unit's specific activities are determined by requests from 15 different departments and also by critical citywide initiatives such as the performance payment program or customer service training. Areas of responsibility include the planning, designing, coordinating, and evaluating development programs. The unit also provides performance consulting to department leaders in an effort to achieve department and City goals.
Policy & Planning
Sherri Dickerson, SPHR, HR Administrator, Senior
Policy and Planning coordinates the research, design and development of all HR-related initiatives that enable other departments to effectively manage their human capital. Through standardized policies and procedures, this office promotes consistency across a variety of employment issues, which contributes to quality customer relations and employee satisfaction. Policy and Planning leads the department’s efforts in the analysis and review of policy issues. It also serves as a catalyst for the development of innovative ideas to enhance existing HR policies and keep pace with organizational changes by developing new policies and procedures.
Psychological Services
Dr. Ralph Allsopp, Ph.D., Chief Psychologist
The primary focus of Psychological Services is to assist employees and their families in solving a variety of personal and workplace issues such as domestic conflict, substance abuse, stress and traumas. Any employee or supervisor requesting assistance will receive prompt, confidential counseling from licensed mental health professionals. The services of the office are multi-faceted. It provides a unique service to the City by partnering with public safety in addressing critical incidents, including hostage calls, major traumas and deaths. Clinicians are also responsible for coordinating the fitness for duty examination process, assessing violence in the workplace referrals, conducting public safety training and facilitating random drug/alcohol testing for employees with commercial driver’s licenses.
Developments and Updates