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    • Human Resources

    Human Resources Directors Page

     

    The Human Resources Department is all about people.

    We use the very best practices in attracting, developing and retaining the outstanding people who serve the citizens of Arlington.

    We work diligently to create a workplace where people are empowered to perform to the best of their ability and where they are able to perform meaningful work and achieve rewarding career goals.

    We recognize the importance of a quality work life by offering outstanding benefits, flexible work schedules, an Employee Assistance Program, Wellness programs, ample paid leave time and many other programs that enhance employee well-being.

    The HR Department has brought into being several innovative programs that benefit our employees and build a stronger County government:

    • Organization-wide Pay for Performance:  Arlington’s performance management system, Arlington Performs, combines documented work expectations with County-wide behavioral competencies.  The message is: “How you do your job is just as important as what you do”  Acceptable ratings are required in both areas in order to receive a full step increase.  The traditional COLA has been replaced by a market pay adjustment (MPA)  that is granted only to employees who fully meet performance and competency expectations.  While most of the County is still on a traditional grade/step system, we have recognized the unique needs of our multiple lines of business, by developing a range of alternative pay programs.  Approximately 10% of our workforce participates in these programs which include components such as market-based pay, broad banding, pay for performance, and skill-based pay.
    • Enterprise Resource Plan: In March of 2006 Arlington went "live" with its Oracle Enterprise Resource Plan.  We continue to explore the possibilities for managing our workforce with this powerful system.  The HR elements of the system touch every employee.
    • Language Pay:  To attract and retain a multi-lingual workforce, employees who regularly use a foreign language and who pass a contractor-administered proficiency test are eligible for extra compensation.  Some 270 employees are currently being compensated for using Vietnamese, Cambodian, Somali, Amharic, Spanish and other languages to serve our residents.

    • The HR Department Customer Service Center:  Arlington prides itself in providing high-quality service to its customers.  Success was recently acknowledged in the 2008 Resident Satisfaction Survey.  We are now building on this foundation through the Arlington CARES (Communication, Awareness, Respect, Execution) Customer Service Program.  HR in partnership with other departments took the lead in developing measurable county-wide behaviors and competencies that set the standard for all employees.  We then modeled the program by creating a customer service center for our internal customers - employees and retirees - that provides one-stop shopping for benefits and retirement.  What were previously two separate specialized  entities is now a cohesive, integrated center staffed by knowledgeable employees who can provide services in both areas.  Advanced technology in our reconfigured “office of the future” helps us provide continuous high-quality services to our employees and retirees.

    Human Resources Leadership Award

    Marcy Foster, Director of the Arlington County Department of Human Resources was the recipient of the 2006 HR Leadership award.  The awards were created to recognize and celebrate the exemplary contributions of outstanding HR leaders who serve as business strategists, change drivers and thought leaders in industry and government throughout the greater Washington, DC area.  

    2005 Personnel Executive of the Year

    This award, presented by the Local Government Personnel Association (LGPA) of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area, recognizes Ms. Foster's achievements as the Director of Arlington's Human Resources Department.  The citation reads, in part:

    "Marcy Foster's unique blend of innovative ideas and disciplined action, willingness to go beyond traditional HR roles, continuous challenging of the status quo, and commitment to improving employee performance and job satisfaction are having a profound effect on Arlington County Government."

    CONTACT US

    Human Resources Department
    2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite #511
    Arlington, VA 22201

    Employment Info: 703-228-3500
    TTY: 703-228-4613
    Fax: 703-228-3265 (Do not fax résumés  - see how to apply for our job openings here)

    E-mail Human Resources

    Directions to the HR Office


    Last Modified: November 05, 2009
    2100 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: 703-228-3000 TTY: 703-228-4611