Ottawa ? The City of Ottawa announced it has hired Melissa Fairbanks as its new director of human resources.

Fairbanks, who has a bachelor’s degree in human-resources management from Friends University, has been human-resources manager for the City of Hutchinson the past three years.

Her duties in Ottawa will include overseeing health insurance, benefits and pay for the city’s 150 employees.

She begins work Jan. 9. The Ottawa Chamber of Commerce will have a coffee at 8 a.m. Jan. 19 at city hall to introduce her to the public.