Leadership & Divisions
The Director’s Office of Human Resources & Merit System provides strategic leadership in managing DeKalb County’s workforce.
The Human Resources Director oversees the development, implementation, and coordination of policies and programs covering recruitment and employment, training and employee development, classification and compensation, human resources information systems, employee relations, skills testing, employee services, and maintenance of official centralized personnel records system, Drug and Alcohol Testing policies, and certain occupational health services. The Human Resources Director also administers the county's disciplinary action appeal process in accordance with the DeKalb County Code Administrative Procedures and County Ordinances.
Jadia P. Haynes
Interim HR Director
Phone: 404-371-2332
About Jadia P. Haynes
Jadia P. Haynes, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, serves as the Interim Human Resources Director for DeKalb County Government. A native of Decatur, Georgia, and a proud product of DeKalb County Schools, she brings more than 18 years of progressive public-sector HR experience, with a strong record of leading large, complex human resources functions and aligning HR strategy with organizational goals.
Since joining DeKalb County in 2006, Ms. Haynes has advanced through multiple HR leadership roles, including HR Generalist Principal, HR Generalist Administrator, and most recently HR Deputy Director, where she managed countywide classification and compensation administration, talent acquisition, and a high-performing HR team. In these roles, she has served as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and department heads on policy development, employee relations, workforce planning, and compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
Ms. Haynes has led several major County initiatives, including serving as Project Manager for the comprehensive 2016 and 2025 countywide pay and classification studies, overseeing compensation and classification review for approximately 6,500 employees. She has consistently driven recruitment efficiency, maintaining an average time-to-hire of under 60 days—well ahead of public-sector benchmarks—and managed critical projects such as the restructuring of the County’s annual and sick leave programs, contributing to significant long-term cost savings.
Committed to leadership and community impact, Ms. Haynes is a graduate of Leadership DeKalb (Class of 2025) and DeKalb County’s inaugural executive leadership program facilitated by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute (2015). She holds a Master of Business Administration from Georgia College and State University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Georgia Southern University. She maintains national HR certifications as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and is an active member of the Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA) and both the Atlanta and national chapters of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Divisions
HR Generalist Division (G-Unit)
The HR Generalist Division serves as a “one-stop-shop” for talent acquisition, classification and compensation, succession planning, and organizational design. The division is responsible for sourcing and recruiting qualified applicants across all organizational levels, including executives, management, and supervisory positions.
Focus Areas:
- Recruitment & Selection (all levels)
- Classification & Compensation
Manager: Karisa Davis
Email: kkdavis@dekalbcountyga.gov
Policy Division
The Policy Division develops, reviews, and revises policies to align with federal and state legislation. The team researches and recommends best practices to enhance operational effectiveness and applies policies, procedures, and practices fairly and consistently across all departments.
Focus Areas:
- Administrative Policies & Procedures
- County Procedures & Executive Orders
- Personnel Code & Compliance
Manager: Lena Taylor
Email: ltaylor2@dekalbcountyga.gov
Occupational Compliance Division (OCD)
The Occupational Compliance Division (OCD) oversees the facilitation of pre-employment physicals, annual physicals, and psychological assessments for sworn personnel. OCD also manages CDL physicals, fitness-for-duty evaluations, and random drug and alcohol screenings for safety-sensitive employees. Additionally, the division arranges critical incident and grief counseling through EAP and psychological vendors. Beyond compliance, OCD plays a crucial role in supporting employees by coordinating the interactive process for workplace accommodations, ensuring they can fulfill the essential functions of their roles.
Focus Areas:
- Physical & Psychological Exams
- Substance Abuse Testing
- Fitness-for-Duty Evaluations
- Employee Assistance & Accommodation
Manager: Dominique Grant
Email: dagrant1@dekalbcountyga.gov
HR Information Systems Division (HRIS)
The Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) Division provides a central solution for employee data, applicant tracking, onboarding, payroll, and more through the maintenance and management of HR databases such as CV360, Kronos, etc.
Focus Areas:
- CV360 & Kronos Management
- E-Verify/I-9
- FMLA, Military & Other Leave Programs
Interim Deputy Director: Katherine (Kay) Furlong
Email: kdfurlong@dekalbcountyga.gov
Phone: 470-580-6532
Business Division
The Business Division enhances organizational efficiency by optimizing systems, streamlining processes, ensuring budget and payroll compliance, and leveraging technology. The division also provides administrative support to facilitate the operational requirements and resource needs of HR and other county departments and agencies.
Focus Areas:
- HR Budget & Contracts
- HR Metrics & Reporting
- Temporary Personnel Services
- Unemployment & Open Records
Manager: Cassandra W. Mouzon
Email: CWMouzon@dekalbcountyga.gov
Employee Relations Division (ERD)
The Employee Relations Division (ERD) leads efforts to resolve workplace conflicts, address discriminatory practices, and foster a respectful, productive environment across DeKalb County. ERD manages grievance, complaints, and disciplinary appeal processes, and delivers training to support fair and consistent employee relations. The division also conducts organizational assessments to identify workforce trends and areas for improvement and oversees Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) reporting and compliance to ensure adherence to all relevant laws and policies.
Focus Areas:
- Grievances, Appeals & Complaints
- Merit System & Hearing Officers
- Equal Employment Opportunity Reporting
- Organizational Assessments
Manager: Janet Essix
Email: jessix@dekalbcountyga.gov
Organization & Employee Development Division (OED)
The Organization and Employee Development Division (OED) supports the County’s strategic priority of “Investing in Employees”. OED is responsible for cultivating a well-trained and highly skilled workforce through performance management, computer and soft skills training, management and leadership training, customer service enhancement, onboarding, and employee rewards and recognition programs.
Focus Areas:
- Training & Performance Management
- Leadership Development & Mentoring
- Employee Engagement & Recognition
- Tuition Reimbursement
Manager: Fabienne Niles
Email: faniles@dekalbcountyga.gov
HR Awards & Recognition
2025 PSHRA Awards of Excellence
- Medium Agency Award Recipient
- Awarded to DeKalb County Government for excellence in public sector HR leadership and innovation serving an organization of 2,000–9,999 employees.
2025 NACo Achievement Award
- Best in Category Winner: County Administration & Management
- Recognized for the All-Digital DeKalb County Human Resources & Merit System Led Policy Council
Atlanta Business Chronicle & SHRM-Atlanta HR Excellence Awards
- Finalist: Leading Transformational Change/Culture (2024)
- Finalist: Best Learning & Development and Talent Management Strategy (2021)
2024 NACo Achievement Awards
- Leadership Development Program: Bright Futures Personnel Management, Employment, and Training
- Get Vaxxed Employee Vaccination Incentive: County Administration and Management
2024 Reworked Impact Award
- Collaboration Excellence: Silver Category Winner