Salary Range: $90,770-$130,481/year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.

Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of PHSA safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA’s Agencies/Divisions/Services, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.  

 

The Consultant, Labour Relations (LR), HR Services reports to the Team Leader, works in a matrixed human resources (HR) environment, and is accountable for providing leadership and subject matter expertise while ensuring the proactive and consistent management of issues with labour relations impact.  The LR Consultant is a strategic partner to an assigned client group, promoting and fostering a consultative and proactive problem solving employee relations/labour relations approach and contributing to the overall strategic design and implementation of work processes that enable operational groups to achieve their business outcomes.  

 

The LR Consultant is responsible for providing expert advice and guidance in collective agreement contract interpretation while acting as a strategic resource and liaison with the provincial employer bargaining associations.  This includes the coordination and implementation of arbitration decisions and collective bargaining settlements with strategic partners and clients.  Partners with HR colleagues and the Practice Lead, LR in grievance handling, negotiations with union representatives, in labour management meetings, and the development and facilitation of training workshops.  Plays a key role in the planning and development of new and changed LR policies and procedures that are aligned with PHSA strategic direction and business needs.  The LR Consultant also participates on leadership teams and in human resources special assignments, projects and events that have PHSA and Agency wide application.

Duties/Accountabilities:

• Builds effective partnerships within assigned client groups including developing a strong understanding of the operational services, encouraging development of the operational business strategic plan to maximize the potential of available human resources.  Promotes HR/LR corporate initiatives and services to facilitate understanding and cooperation.
• Acts as a strategic and influential partner with the HR teams, operational partners and stakeholders to proactively identify and manage LR issues to support PHSA’s strategic priorities.  Provides expert advice and consultation to HR colleagues regarding LR issues by advising on the labour relations implications of policy and organizational re-design, redevelopment processes, certifications, special projects and consultation/negotiations with union representatives.
• Negotiates on behalf of the PHSA with union representatives on complex labour disputes and builds union/management relationships by acting as the primary contact for complex labour relations issues.  May represent PHSA in third party processes including grievance arbitration and Labour Relations Board hearings.  Leads local union management meeting and facilitates establishment of agenda items.
• Collaborates with the Practice Lead, LR and as a member of the LR Community of Practice in the planning and development of labour relation strategies for the PHSA including the drafting of policies and procedures to address the organization’s labour relations objectives.  Assists with the development of PHSA bargaining proposals, implementation of arbitration decisions and application of collective bargaining settlements with HR partners and operational partners to ensure consistency and alignment with organizational objectives.  Ensures that industry interpretation of policies and collective agreements are consistently applied throughout the PHSA by providing guidance, advice and training.  Keeps management and colleagues current on industry issues, union/management initiatives, collective agreement changes, legislation and jurisprudence.
• Utilizes operational partner feedback to continually improve delivery of services.  Supports the development of HR/LR related quality indicators in day-to-day operations such as continuous quality improvement.  Models behaviour that is consistent with the strategic direction of the organization.
• Utilizes/develops targeted communication strategies for unions, employees and other stakeholders to support change initiatives.  Supports alignment and achievement of the organization’s/agency’s vision and business strategy through the change initiatives of specific client groups.
• Remains current on HR/LR trends, issues and best practices through literature review, contact with peers at other organizations and attendance at seminars, workshops and educations programs.
  
  

Qualifications:

• A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field and seven (7) to ten (10) years progressively more senior experience in a labour relations focused HR positions.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting complex bargaining agreements and solid understanding of current labour relations practices and legislation.  
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to negotiate and persuade others combined with a history of building and maintaining strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.  
• Highly developed analytical, critical thinking, problem solving skills and the ability to facilitate the resolution of issues.  
• Models a commitment to service and being a strategic HR business partner within a complex organization.  
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.  Demonstrated ability to mentor and engage others to ensure success in the workplace.  
• Excellent organizational skills including the ability to prioritize workload to meet deadlines.  
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and engage others to ensure success in the workplace.  
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective member of a team and to work independently.  
• Commitment to the value of continuous learning and an open curiosity for new ideas and innovation.  
• Ability to use related equipment including HR information systems, word processing, spreadsheet, database and internet tools.