Bow Valley College Looking for HR Business Partner at Canada Full Time

Bow Valley College is the largest and fastest growing Comprehensive Community College in Alberta. We have locations across southern Alberta helping over 17,000 learners each year. Our mission is to contribute to the vitality of communities and strength of the economy through innovative adult education programs and services which equip students for successful living, lifelong learning, and employment in a global knowledge-based environment.

Why work at Bow Valley College? Bow Valley College is made up of employees who are committed to our learners´ success, as well as each other´s. Our staff and faculty consistently say it is the people who keep them at the College, the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students, and the incredible support they receive from their co-workers and supervisors.

We are looking for a people person, a forward thinking, big picture, detail oriented individual – to join a growing team of HR professionals as an HR Business Partner.

This role partners with our College leaders to fulfil goals in the areas of strategic planning, performance management, employee accommodations, collective agreement interpretation, and employment law (just to name a few).

If this peaks your interest, please read further for more information on this exciting opportunity. This is a chance to have an impact with a Top Alberta Employer; an organization that recognizes the importance of the employee experience and Bow Valley College’s People & Culture strategy.

The role will be responsible for:

Employee and Labour Relations

• Advises Directors, Deans and supervisors regarding employee relations and labour relations issues.
• Provides expert recommendations/solutions related to the interpretation and application of the Collective Agreements, Employment Standards, Human Rights legislation and College Policies and Procedures for Deans, Directors, supervisors and employees, to ensure consistency throughout College practices.
• Fosters and maintains positive and effective problem solving relationships with all employees of the College both unionized and non-unionized that reflect the College’s commitment to a positive, interest-based and collaborative labour relations environment.
• Provides consultation services to the primary negotiator and operations during collective bargaining.
• Leads the grievance preparation and discussions, coaching and supporting management in the responses.
• Advises and recommends a course of action to Directors, Deans and supervisors regarding employee performance management issues, bearing in mind internal and external factors that could be impacted by actions.
• Reviews and makes recommendations to supervisors in the preparation of documentation and other correspondence to meet the legal and Collective Agreement requirements related to these issues, ensuring that the employees are treated equitably and that the College’s interests are protected.
• Works collaboratively with supervisors and Jr. Business Partner, in disability management claims, particularly in the use of the Early Recovery Assistance program, when evaluating requests for medical leave or accommodations, ensuring employees have appropriate care and support through their recovery.
• Advises Deans, Directors and supervisors of OH&S and legal requirements and ensuring adherence to appropriate College guidelines.
• Facilitates workplace investigations and Code of Conduct complaints with tact and diplomacy.
• Mediates issues between supervisors and employees to resolve challenges and establish boundaries prior to formal performance management and/or grievance.
• Participates with Deans, Directors and supervisors in formal employee performance discussions with the unions, if applicable, up to and including suspensions or terminations.
• Provides information and support to the Deans, Directors and Vice Presidents in the grievance process.
• Identifies areas of opportunity within the portfolios they represent to the Dean or Director, and proactively advises the Manager, Employee and Labour Relations on issues that could affect the College overall.

Employee Programs and Projects

• Coordinates the College’s employee related programs to ensure they meet the developmental and training needs of new and existing employees.
• Assists Deans, Directors and supervisors in ensuring organizational effectiveness through consultation and programs.
• Creates and delivers new modules or source expertise internal or external to the College to address these needs.
• Utilizes information in surveys (ie Employee engagement survey) to help build employee engagement and improve retention.
• Works closely with HR Operations to ensure collaboration across HR for processes and projects.
• Understands the impact to employees and leadership during times of organizational change and provide consultation to mitigate the impacts.
• Creates and facilitates sessions that will benefit all employees, including the New Employee or Supervisor Orientation.
• Analyzes the effectiveness of programs, offers recommendations and support to users.

• Works closely with the Manager, Employee and Labour Relations in the development and implementation of performance management tools and resources, leading processes where appropriate.

• Creates and reviews the exit interview information with a focus on ensuring the information obtained is useful and accurate. Reviews and analyzes exit interview data and prepares recommendations for changes to policies and practices and identify issues to Manager, Employee and Labour Relations.
• Participates in collective bargaining process, as needed.
• Assists Manager, Employee and Labour Relations with projects and research, as required.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications

• Certificate in HR or Industrial Relations/Labour Relations Certificate (or equivalent education and/or experience)
• 3-5 years’ experience in labour relations including experience in interpreting, applying and administering collective agreements.
  
• 3-5 years of related human resources generalist experience (or equivalent combination of education or experience).
• An equivalent combination of directly related education and experience may be considered

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Human Resources Management, or Industrial Relations.
• Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) Designation is preferred.
• Previous experience within the post-secondary would be an asset.
• Great team member and collaborator: be self-accountable, reliable and help out with whenever and with whatever may be needed.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite and HRIMS.
• Ability to effectively communicate (both verbal and written) across multiple levels of the organization.
• Knowledge of labour legislation, privacy legislation and OH&S legislation.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships across the College.
• Problem solving skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure with minimal supervision.
• Tact and diplomacy.

This is a full-time, continuous position.

Please note all successful candidates will be required to provide copies of government issued identification and proof of educational qualifications upon hire and may be required to provide an enhanced police information check.

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

Bow Valley College is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within our community. We welcome applications from qualified candidates who would contribute to the further diversification of our employees including, but not limited to, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.