The Salvation Army Looking for Senior Human Relations Advisor at New Westminster, BC Full Time

Under general direction, carries out policies and programs providing advice and assistance in HR related areas such as interviews applicants for a variety of positions, administers compensation programs, employee files and reports, conducts employee orientation and training, health & safety, benefits and services, labour relations, investigations and personnel research. Coordinates HR related paperwork. In consultation with the Executive Director responds to union complaints and grievences; escalating, as required.

Labour Relations:

• Provides advice, support, and education related to the displacement process to Managers, Union representatives and displaced/bumped employees exercising their Collective Agreement rights.
• Ensures consistent application of reduction and restructuring processes related to displacements, bumping and transfers.
• Researches, analyses, and presents appropriate bumping options to affected staff members based on seniority, skill set, abilities and in accordance with the Collective Agreement.
• Assists the Managers in developing and preparing labour relations documents, such as grievance responses, and investigation scripts. Carries out grievance research; collates and prepares information, calculates liability and processes grievance settlements including liaising with appropriate stakeholders.
• Responsible for inputting all grievances and relevant information to the grievance database. Generates grievance reports and reviews with TSA and HEABC for accuracy.
• Assists HEABC and Managers in the population of essential service documents in preparation for essential service negotiations with the unions; ensures all signed off documents are uploaded to the LRB.
• Negotiates with Unions and assists Managers and Directors in job action and strike contingency planning including participating in ESOC discussions to ensure M/MS deployment, orientation and scheduling is completed.
• Negotiates with the unions in regards to Extended Work Day Rotation (EWD) submissions.
• Provides knowledgeable application of the various collective agreements’ language as it relates to displacements.
• Ensures that high quality HR and displacement/bumping related information is available for decision making.
• Initiates, maintains and updates computerized and manual record keeping systems including vacancy tracking, labour relations and grievance tracking; produces relevant reports.
• Maintains and periodically audits resources such as arbitrations, trouble-shooters, CIUs, and practice guidelines
• Consults with managers, directors and other clients on operational issues and assists them to meet strategic goals and effective operation of their human resources. Consults on performance management, discipline, leave management, selection, organizational redesign, employee interaction and other human resource matters. Liaises with other functions within Human Resources and the organization as required to complete the consultation.
• Investigates labour relations issues and complaints; researches appropriate jurisprudence and industry practices; develops, recommends and implements contract interpretations, policies, procedures and programs to create and improve consistent labour relations practice within the organization.
• Provides advice to managers and other clients respecting grievance and other dispute resolution process management including guidance on fact finding, drafting appropriate correspondence, strategizing employer position, preparing for and conducting meetings with employees, union representatives and legal counsel and preparing for cases proceeding to third party hearing.
• Promotes constructive union-management relations through respectful communication and interest-based problem-solving. Liaises with Local Union executive and Head Office representatives to resolve problems, consult on issues and provide/exchange information on labour relations issues affecting employees in the workplace, such as organizational changes, staff layoffs, displacements and technological changes.
• Identifies management education needs regarding human resource issues; assists with developing and presenting appropriate related educational programs.
• Maintains records such as a grievance tracking data base and statistics on labour relations activities; reviews and analyses data and reports concerns and recommendations to Leaders and Human Resource staff.
• Remains current in human rights, employment and other related legislation; health care collective agreements and human resource practices to ensure that Fraser Health human resource employment programs are current and within legislative and/or collective agreement requirements.
• Participates on industry committees to maintain knowledge of current and future trends and changes in labour relations; communicates this information to identify processes and interpretations requiring reconsideration or review.
• Participates in contingency plans as required for legal/illegal work stoppages and conducts essential service planning for assigned departments.
• Liaises with DHQ/THQ HR department and union representatives as necessary.

Investigations:

• Serves as the first point of contact for investigations and conflict resolution under The Salvation Army Workplace Harassment, Discrimination and Violence Prevention Policy.
• Serves as a link between management and employees by handling questions and helping resolve work-related problems.

Performance Management:

• Acts as resource to management team on performance management.
• May attend coaching and disciplinary sessions, drafts and/or review documentation, and ensures compliance with statutory and THQ requirements for terminations (i.e. seeks approval from Regional HR Manager for layoffs or termination with/without cause).
• Ensures completion of performance appraisals (PEAC)as per TSA policy and audits annually for Buchanan Lodge completion. Works with managers to produce reports on attendance management.

Compensation, Benefits, Job Design:

• Ensures the enrollment of all benefits such as Extended Health, Dental and MPP plan are consistently applied within Buchanan Lodge and that the administration of these programs complies with the terms of the master contract(s).
• Processes compensation requests in accordance with internal and THQ procedure.
• Develops and updates job descriptions based on TSA standards and collective agreement requirements.
• Provides advice and assistance to local management regarding Territorial Job Evaluation System and wage scale and ensures management/non-union positions comply with same.
• Develops and/or administers special projects such as employee recognition
• Assists managers with staffing models and schedules.

Recruitment and Orientation:

• Delivers recruitment services including front-end needs analysis in consultation with managers, job posting, sourcing, interview process, selection and employee offers.
• Participates in interviews for management positions and may facilitate interviews for front-line employees.
• Develops and provides questions and scoring guides to Buchanan Lodge management, coordinates interview panels, administers and evaluates applicants.
• Participates in hiring decision and checks/verifies references.
• Prepares letters of offer, employee files and conducts new employee orientation.
• Coordinates arrival of new employees including arranging required on-line policy training, sign-off of policies, handbook, and liaises with departmental management to ensure on-the-job training as appropriate.
• Provides current and prospective employees with information about policies, job duties, working conditions, wages, opportunities for promotion, and employee benefits.
• Builds strong relationships with local organizations, recruitment agencies, educational institutions, learning and development suppliers to enable Buchanan Lodge to achieve overall business objectives.
• Conducts exit interviews to identify reasons for employee termination, and prepares periodic reports

Policy and Procedures:

• Advises managers on organizational policy matters such as sexual harassment, abuse, confidentiality, code of ethics, non-fraternization, computer usage, and privacy policy and recommend needed changes.
• Acts as resource to Buchanan Lodge management in respect of policy and procedure as outlined in the Territorial Human Relations Policy and Procedure manual
• Draft and distribute communication to local management regarding changes to policy or policy reminders
• Assists in the development and implementation of programs that will drive increased employee satisfaction and commitment levels such as employee surveys, employee communications and employee events.
• Plans, organizes, directs, controls or coordinates the personnel, training, or labor relations activities of an organization.

Training/Organizational Development:

• In consultation with senior management, analyzes training needs and coordinates training programs.

Health and Safety:

• Claims Management: Investigates and reports on industrial accidents and injuries for WorkSafe BC and insurance carriers.
• Completes Form 7s via e-claims and occurrence reports and manages claims.
• Health and Safety: oversees maintenance of records of mandatory training.
• Participates for management representation of OHS committee; prepares agendas and produces minutes (alternately with unions as per collective agreement requirements.)
• Coordinates appropriate health and safety training and action items.

Statistics and Reports:

• Maintains records and compiles reports on matters such as turnover and performance appraisal completion.
• Analyzes data and reports to identify causes of personnel problems and develops recommendations for improvement of personnel policies and practices.
• Performs other work-related duties as required.

• Completion of a formal post-secondary/college/University program of three academic years in Human Resources or a related filed
• Completion of an Undergraduate University degree (e.g., B.A.,) or equivalent education and experience in a related field will be considered as a strong asset
• Conflict resolution certification would be an asset

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a human resources function; preferably within a unionized environment in a large facility (over 100 employees)
• Familiar with HR legislation and regulations within the British Columbia Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Labour Relations Code, collective agreements and all other applicable legislation and regulations.

Skills and Capabilities:

• Willingness to adhere to the Mission and Values of The Salvation Army and Buchanan Lodge
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills, effective listening skills, and organizational skills
• High standards of integrity, judgement, and the ability to cultivate and maintain relationships of trust and confidentiality
• Demonstrated compassion & ability to accept and care for people without judgment
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy in data entry and document creation
• Effective organizational and time management skills – self-motivated and disciplined self-starter.
• Must be able to establish credibility quickly within the organization as a trusted advisor.
• Able to work in a consultative, diplomatic and tactful manner.
• Strong sense of integrity with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
• Seeks common ground in navigating challenging issues and constructively manages conflict to create win-win solutions wherever possible.

Successful candidates, prior to hiring, may be required to provide:

• Background check consent.
• A clear vulnerable sector screening.
• A clean drivers abstract.
• Completion of our online Armatus Abuse Training and required Health and Safety training.

The Salvation Army will accommodate candidates as required under applicable human rights legislation. If you require a disability-related accommodation during this process, please inform us of your requirements.

In support of our commitment to a healthy and safe workplace and community, The Salvation Army (TSA) has a vaccination requirement for all employees at Buchanan Lodge/Sunset Lodge/Grace Health Services/Vancouver Harbour Light Detox. The successful candidate will be made an offer of employment on the condition of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and will be required to provide proof of full vaccination, prior to their employment start date. The requirement to be fully vaccinated is subject to provincial/territorial human rights legislation. If the candidate is unable to vaccinate for a reason protected by the Human Rights Code, a request for accommodation can be submitted and written proof satisfactory to TSA will be required.

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

Internal Applicants, please advise your managing supervisor of your intentions prior to submitting your application.