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Human Resources

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Kathleen Richlen
Human Resources Director

The City of Bettendorf employs approximately 475 people. The many departments provide a wide variety of community service opportunities such as police and fire protection, park and recreation, community development, economic development, museum, library, public works, and administration. The Human Resources Department provides support to the city departments and employees in both a day-to-day operational role and a more strategic global role. The day-to-day functions include recruitment and selection; on-boarding for new employees; benefits administration; management of workers' compensation; policy development; administration of performance appraisal system; investigation and solving of employee grievances; and administration of four union contracts.

The City of Bettendorf is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or veteran status. The City of Bettendorf complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including hiring, transfers, promotions, training, terminations, working conditions, compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Staff:

Kathleen Richlen, Human Resources Director, has served the employees and citizens of Bettendorf since October, 2005. She is originally from Toledo, Ohio and moved to the Quad Cities in 1993. She possesses a Bachelor's Degree in Administrative Management graduating from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. Kathleen is responsible for the establishment, maintenance, and administration of policies and procedures in all areas relating to personnel such as recruitment and selection, position classification, compensation, job descriptions, and performance evaluations.  She coordinates the City’s employee benefits, training, safety, worker’s compensation, liability insurance, and personnel-related files and records.

Denver Schmitt, Human Resources Generalist, joined the City of Bettendorf in April, 2023.  Denver earned his Bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University as well. He is originally from the Rock Island-Milan area and currently residents in Bettendorf after moving back to the Quad Cities from Barrington, Illinois. Denver performs a variety of human resources duties and provides support to the Human Resources Director.


Kelley Swinburn, Human Resources Administrative Assistant, joined the City of Bettendorf team in February, 2023.  Kelley earned her Bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois and a Master's degree in Business Administration from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.  She is a native of the Quad Cities and currently resides in Silvis, Illinois where she has lived for the past 29 years.  Kelley performs a variety of confidential administrative duties and provides full-service support for the Human Resources Director.