Employee Relations Advisor

at  Edmonton Catholic Schools

Edmonton Catholic Schools is a large urban school division whose mission is to provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to serve God in one another. The Division is comprised of over 44,000 students and 5,000 employees in 95 schools plus other sites.

FTE: 1

Department: Employee Relations

No Months Per Year: 12
Position Status: Permanent

Employee Group: OOS
Rate of Pay: $84,072 - $105,106

Posting Closing Date:
The Employee Relations team is seeking an experienced Employee Relations Advisor to join their team! As a Human Resource Services subject-matter-expert, you will provide expertise, guidance, and advice on employee and labour relations matters.
Initiative, accountability, integrity, and follow-through are key requirements for this position. In this role, you will regularly advise and coach principals, managers, and supervisors on addressing employee situations involving performance, attendance, conduct, and workplace conflict to ensure optimal operations. Reporting to the Manager of Employee Relations and Health Services, you will work in a teamwork environment and have a penchant for cooperation and collaboration. You will facilitate conflict resolution processes and conduct/oversee investigations relating to misconduct, respect in the workplace /harassment, and other employment-related matters. In collaboration with other areas of Human Resource Services, you will manage complex situations related to employee health, employment legislation, collective agreement interpretation and application, investigations, occupational health and safety, respect in the workplace, and policy development. Experience providing Employee Relations support for maintenance management may be considered an asset. We will rely on you to manage the collective agreement processes for grievances, conduct research, prepare briefing notes, and provide arbitral input. Collective bargaining involvement for three collective agreements and support for the ongoing refinement of Out of Scope Terms and Conditions is also a very important part of this role.
This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule and is based out of Lumen Christi Catholic Education Centre (Capilano). Travel to Division sites within Edmonton is required and mileage expenses will be reimbursed in accordance Division policy and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Degree in a related field
• Five years of directly related experience working in a unionized environment.
• Providing Employee Relations support in the area of maintenance management may be considered a hiring asset
• Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation, or equivalent, may be considered a hiring asset
• Equivalencies may be considered.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Extensive knowledge of provincial and federal legislation, including the Alberta Human Rights Act; Alberta Labour Relations Code; Alberta Employment Standards Code; Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code Canadian Multiculturalism Act; and other relevant legislation
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated experience in conducting fact-findings and workplace investigations
• Solid understanding of conflict resolution principles with experience in facilitating discussions, mediated conversations, and restorative practices
• Ability to influence decision-making and make a positive impact
• Excellent organizational and time management skills and the ability to manage conflicting priorities
• Advanced written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate technical information to a varied audience
• Knowledge of project management principles and records management practices including Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Legislation
• Experience working with other facets of Human Resources including employee health/disability, staffing, compensation and/or classification
• Ability to establish, develop, and strengthen collaborative relationships with a wide variety of individuals
• Proven leadership skills and ability to work effectively, both independently and in a team environment
• General knowledge of the K-12 education environment and an understanding of the Division’s operations and program

• Provide expert advice and guidance to Division leadership, principals, managers and supervisors on collective agreement and legislation interpretation and application
• Provide consultation and advice on a wide range of sensitive issues related to staffing processes, performance management, discipline, attendance management, procedural fairness requirements, interpretation of the collective agreements and Administrative Procedures, job descriptions, and compensation and pay
• Coach front-line supervisors to resolve issues directly with employees and ensure procedural fairness
• Develop and maintain positive relations with Union representatives and Division employees
• Lead investigations by conducting fact-finding processes, preparing an investigation plan and questions, and interviewing complainants, respondents, and witnesses
• Support supervisors and employees with workplace restoration processes
• Analyze employment-related situations and conduct risk assessments by considering mitigating and aggravating circumstances and their prospective impact on the Division
• Lead and facilitate creative conflict resolution strategies
• Participate in negotiations and provide support to the Division lead negotiator in collective bargaining with all bargaining units
• Participate in the grievance and arbitration processes through consultation with the respective manager and General Counsel
• Develop and offer training sessions on a variety of topics relating to effective leadership and employee relations
• Stay current by reading employee relations subject matter material and regular review of employment-related case law