HR - Labour Relations Advisor (Mon-Fri Days)

at  RainCity Housing and Support Society

RainCity Housing operates on the stolen, unceded, ancestral, traditional homelands of the Xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ Nations in so-called Vancouver, the q̓íc̓əy̓, qʼʷa: n̓ƛʼən̓, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm, qiqéyt, SEMYOME, Stó꞉lō, and sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ Nations in so-called Lower Mainland, and the shíshálh in so-called Sunshine Coast.
About Us – A home for every person
RainCity Housing is an organization that makes a difference in people’s lives. Our mission is to advance social equity by building upon the strengths of our community and of each individual. With a goal of providing a home for everyone, RainCity’s programs sustain relationships, strengthen communities, and make change for people experiencing homelessness, mental health, trauma, and substance use issues.
RainCity Housing has been developing emerging and promising practices for over 40 years in social services and healthcare, providing Housing First, harm reduction and supports for community members who access our services. To learn more, check out our innovations page. You can visit our Indeed page and click on the “Follow” button to be notified of new job openings: ca.indeed.com/cmp/Raincity-Housing-and-Support-Society/about.
You can also follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

BENEFITS:

• 5 days of paid leave for Indigenous Employees for Ceremonial, Cultural, and Spiritual events per year
• 8 weeks of paid leave for gender affirming care for medical procedures for transgender and gender diverse employees, cumulative total
• Employee and Family Assistance Program available to ALL employees, including 24-hour helpline, Personal counselling, Life Coaching, Financial Coaching, Legal Referral and Advisory Services, and Health Coaching: https://www.fseap.ca/
• Municipal Pension Plan with guaranteed lifetime monthly pension when you retire: https://mpp.pensionsbc.ca/
• Employer-paid benefits for regular Part-time and Full-time employees:
• Core Gender Affirmation services
• $1,000/year coverage for Massage
• $500 per paramedical service Physiotherapy, Naturopath, Acupuncture, Chiropract, and more
• Vision Care, Dental Care, Prescription Drugs, Group Life Benefit (1 x annual salary,) Long Term Disability, and Unlimited Out-of-Province and Out-of-Country Emergencies.
  Position Summary
  The Labour Relations Advisor reports to the Director, Labour Relations and is responsible for managing and interpreting collective agreements, including BCNU, HEU, and BCGEU. This role involves handling grievances, building positive relationships with union representatives, supporting collective bargaining negotiations, and developing labour relations policies. Additionally, the Advisor will provide training and guidance on labour relations issues, assist with workplace investigations, and ensure compliance with relevant labour laws and regulations.
  Job Competition # job2025.020
  Closing Date: Midnight, February 20, 2025
  Job Title: Labour Relations Advisor
  Department: Human Resources – Labour Relations
  Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time, 1.0 FTE
  Hours: 80 Hours Bi-Weekly
  Salary Range: $85,000.00 – $95,000.00 annually
  Schedule: Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM. A combination of work from home and in-office with flexible working arrangements.
  Start Date: March 20, 2025, or as soon as possible.
  A clear British Columbia Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check for working with vulnerable adults and/or children is a condition of employment with RainCity Housing. Applicants must be willing and able to receive a clearance under the Criminal Record Review Act.
  Qualifications
  Our mission is to advance social equity by building upon the strengths of our community and of each individual. We are looking for employees who will be dedicated to helping fulfill our mission. Many forms of education and experience are valued, including volunteering, and lived experience of mental health/substance use/homelessness. Minimum education and experience include:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, industrial relations, labour relations, business administration or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in human resources/labour relations.
• Minimum of 2 years managing grievances, interpreting and administering collective agreements.
• Experience negotiating/mediating solutions and maintaining positive relationships across a spectrum of people, especially in environments where individual perspectives are varied and achieving consensus Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Minimum of 2 years leading workplace investigations, documenting, reporting and following up on the outcomes of the complaint.
• Must possess keen observation skills to notice subtle details that others might overlook, along with the ability to gather evidence and understand the nuances of workplace dynamics.
• Proficiency in using computers: Microsoft 365, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and various video conferencing platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or master’s degree in human resources, psychology, or a related field.
• Experience working with the following collective agreements – BCNU, HEU or BCGEU.
• Experience working in a non-profit organization.
• Experience working with organizations that support marginalized people and communities.

Key Responsibilities
The Labour Relations Advisor is responsible for the following key functions

Collective Agreement Interpretation & Administration

• Interpret and administer the BCNE, HEU, and BCGEU collective agreements and memorandum of agreements (MOU’s) within Raincity, ensuring compliance with all terms and conditions.
• Support in collective bargaining negotiations, by providing strategic advice and support to the negotiation team.
• Develop and implement labour relations policies and procedures in alignment with organizational goals and legal requirements.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant labour laws and regulations, staying up-to-date with changes and updates.

Grievances and Investigations

• Oversee assigned grievances, including investigating complaints, mediating disputes, and ensuring timely resolution. This may involve working on complex cases that require thorough analysis and collaboration with various parties.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with union representatives, facilitating effective communication and collaboration. This includes regular meetings with union leaders, addressing their concerns, and working together to resolve issues amicably.
• Conduct thorough and impartial investigations into workplace issues, including harassment, discrimination, and other employee concerns.

Training and Administration

• Provide training and guidance to managers and employees on labour relations issues, collective agreement interpretation, and conflict resolution.
• Develop, document and implement labour relations policies and procedures that align with Raincity’s goals and legal requirements. This includes creating guidelines for handling workplace issues, such as harassment and discrimination, and ensuring compliance with relevant labour laws.
• Track and improve department KPIs like Grievance Resolution Time, Number of Grievances Filed, and Grievance Resolution Rate.

Other duties as assigned/required.

Critical Skills

• Effective verbal and written communication is crucial for explaining complex labour relations issues, negotiating with union representatives, and providing clear guidance to managers and employees.
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with union representatives, employees, and management requires strong interpersonal skills. This includes empathy, active listening, and the ability to resolve conflicts amicably.
• The ability to analyze and interpret collective agreements, labour laws, and workplace issues is essential. This includes identifying trends, assessing risks, and developing strategic solutions.
• Labour Relations Advisors must be adept at identifying problems, generating solutions, and implementing effective strategies to resolve workplace issues and improve labour relations.
• Strong negotiation skills are necessary for mediating disputes and reaching mutually beneficial agreements with union representatives.
• Ensuring compliance with collective agreements, labour laws, and organizational policies require meticulous attention to detail and accuracy in documentation and reporting.
• The ability to manage and resolve conflicts effectively is critical.
• Labour relations environments can be dynamic and fast-paced. Being adaptable and able to respond to changing circumstances and new challenges is critical.
• Handling sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality is essential. Labour Relations Advisors must demonstrate integrity and professionalism in all interactions.
• Working effectively with colleagues, union representatives, and management requires strong teamwork and collaboration skills. This includes being able to work independently and as part of a team.

Please submit both a cover letter and resume to apply, describing your suitability for this position. We thank all applicants in advance for their interest. As part of the application process, you may be asked a short set of questions to provide further information about your experience and availability. Please note, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Diversity
RainCity Housing serves a diverse group of people, and we need a staff group that reflects this diversity. People of diverse backgrounds and cultures are encouraged to apply.
As we work towards building a diverse staff team, we are particularly seeking applicants who identify as being Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, applicants with personal lived expertise, and 2SLGBTQ+ identified people.
Inclusion and creating a safer space
We are committed to making our organization a safer place for our staff, with steps taken to create space for learning and unlearning. RainCity’s department of Indigenous Cultural Services was created with the purpose to acknowledge the unique history and service needs of our Indigenous staff and tenants in respect to accessing culturally relevant and culturally sensitive care and support. RainCity’s Black Affinity Group was formed to provide support for Black staff by creating a safe space to support each other, network, debrief, and to heal from the impact of harm endured. Candidates are welcome to self-identifying in their cover letters as Black, First nations, Métis, or Inuit.
All of our employees are expected to develop and exhibit skills to contribute to safety in the workplace, including demonstrating anti-racism knowledge and skills to support racialized communities, including knowledge of Canada’s historical and on-going colonialism and its impact on Indigenous peoples, and commitment to learn and uphold the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action and BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Employees are also expected to demonstrate anti-discrimination knowledge and skills to support equity seeking groups, including the 2SLGBTQA+ community, people who use drugs and alcohol, people living with mental health issues and sex workers.
Inclusivity and support for people with differing abilities
In our efforts to provide a barrier-free workplace, we invite you to let us know of any adjustments or accommodations that might be needed for you to participate in the interview or selection process by sending an email to hr.inbox@raincityhousing.org.
If you’re having any difficulty creating an account or submitting your resume: Please email dfrecruitingsupport@raincityhousing.org for assistance.
Do you want to improve your chances of joining RainCity? Be sure to include a cover letter letting us know why the work that we do is important to you, and how your experiences make you a good fit for this role.

Do you need additional support with your application? Connect with our partners for assistance:

• ACCESS Futures provides free employment support for Indigenous people and can assist with career advising, resume and cover letter writing, and funding for training: https://www.accessfutures.com/employment-services
• PRISM Employment Support Service (ESS) provides free strengths-based, trauma-informed employment support program for 2SLGBTQIA+ people, including coaching sessions, workshops, personal counselling sessions, and financial assistance for transit, occupational training, clothing, and childcare: https://qmunity.ca/employment/
• WorkBC provides free employment services to all job seekers, providing with support in resume and cover letter writing, training, and financial support for childcare and transportation costs: https://www.workbc.ca/discover-employment-services/workbc-centres/employment-services
• MOSAIC provides free employment support for refugees, immigrants, and racialized women, with services in career readiness training, mentoring, and peer groups: https://mosaicbc.org/our-services/employment-services/

We are a Union
RainCity Housing is a unionized workplace. Along with the union, we support the principles of the Human Rights Code of BC. We promote a workplace that treats both staff and the people accessing services with dignity and respect

Please refer the Job description for details