HR Advisor

University of British Columbia•Vancouver, BC

2d•CA$7,852 - CA$12,243

About The Position

Provides advice and counsel and makes recommendations on all human resources management issues to ensure best practices are established for units within the Vice President, Finance & Operations (VPFO) portfolio. Provides leadership with respect to the Focus on People Workplace Practices Initiative. Develops relationships and partners with clients by providing human resources expertise in their strategic business plans. This is done by participating in the review of organizational structures, performance, and change management issues and conflict resolution opportunities. Provides guidance and direction in handling employee relations issues, including contract interpretation and grievance handling to Step 2, progressive discipline, investigations, terminations, return to work, and accommodation initiatives.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
Minimum of five to seven years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Nice To Haves

CPHR designation is an asset.
Experience in administration of collective agreements and labour relations in a complex unionized environment.
Knowledge of current Human Resource Management practices.
Knowledge of provincial and federal legislation governing employers' Human Resource practices.
Knowledge and experience in using a coaching model to influence and advise clients.
Knowledge of the electronic recruiting systems an asset.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Effective presentation, leadership, organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to establish and maintain supportive working relationships with clients and team members.
Ability to develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of clients.
Ability to travel to on- and off-site departmental unit locations.

Responsibilities

Provides guidance and direction in handling employee relations issues including: contract interpretation; grievance handling to Step 2; progressive discipline; investigations; terminations; return to work and accommodation initiatives.
Resolves various case issues, grievances and disputes by researching, documenting processes, participating in discussions, recommending solutions and negotiating settlements as applicable. Provides a thorough overview of the case with recommendations directly to the Employee Relations Manager. Consults with Employee Relations Managers prior to advising on appropriate disciplinary action.
Consults with and coaches clients on all human resources management issues pertaining to staff employees so as to ensure human resource best practices are established within all units. Ensures business partnerships are developed and maintained by regularly visiting units on site and meeting with functional department leaders.
Develops and maintains partnerships with client departments so as to provide advice on their strategic business plans related to workforce planning, project management and change management.
Provides interpretation and advice regarding collective agreements, contracts, government legislation and University policies, procedures, practices and guidelines. Resolves various case issues, grievances and disputes by researching, documenting processes, participating in discussions, recommending solutions and negotiating settlements as applicable. Provides a thorough overview of the case with recommendations directly to the Employee Relations Manager. Consults with Employee Relations Managers prior to advising on appropriate disciplinary action.
Collaborates with Return to Work Coordinators in Workplace Health Services to develop action plans for returning employees to the workplace. Oversees accommodation process identified in collaboration with others from Human Resources.
Identifies unit development needs, collaborates with VPFO client departments and HR central-advisory services team members to determine training requirements community-wide, participates in program development, and delivers training sessions in support of University initiatives. Using a coach approach, advises units on career development, recruitment practices, succession planning, compensation and performance management, and other human resource practices.
Collaborates alongside client managers on specific attendance management issues. Delivers training sessions and provides guidance to better support management in their employee attendance.
Participates in regular departmental meetings and business unit meetings in order to provide a forum for discussion of human resource issues and provide new and revised human resource practices.
Participates in the development, community roll-out, and maintenance of human resource initiatives and programs.
Attends and participates in various VPFO and HR meetings.
Answers a wide range of general employment-related inquiries from the internal and external community.
Participates in a wide range of various projects and committees.
Performs other related duties as required.