Advisor, Conflict Resolution

The Advisor, Conflict Resolution is a subject matter expert and point of contact for the university community: they provide conflict resolution support and advice to employees of the university with respect to respectful workplace policies, practices, interactions, and environments at UFV.

The incumbent promotes respectful workplace rights and responsibilities and provides mediation and conflict resolution support to the university. They are responsible for confidential case management and to respond to complaints through a sensitive, intersectional, and trauma informed lens.

The Advisor works collaboratively across the university to develop and deliver conflict resolution programs, projects, and proactive education and training activities, including the creation of tools and resources to build a respectful workplace culture where conflict is managed in a responsible, timely and culturally sensitive way.

Note that this position is 50% FTE.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Promotes respectful workplace rights and responsibilities across all university locations.
• Responds to respectful workplace related concerns that are raised by employees.
• Provides advice and support to UFV leaders and any UFV community member who seeks to contribute to respectful workplace policies, practices, interactions, and environments at UFV.
• Provides advice and support to individuals and groups who bring complaints pursuant to UFV’s discrimination policy.
• Provides advise and support to individuals and groups who respond to complaints pursuant to UFV’s Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment Prevention Policy.
• Uses conflict resolution and mediation skills to create, advise on, and facilitate resolution processes for respectful workplace related concerns, wherever possible.
• Develops and delivers training programs on respectful workplace, bullying, harassment and conflict resolution related topics.
• Supports policy development (through research/analysis, etc.), implementation, and review as related to human rights, discrimination and harassment, and EDI.
• Supports development and ongoing review of a robust, confidential, and objective complaints process.
• Receives, reviews, and triages complaints including consultation with EDI office to assign carriage to the appropriate office.
• Maintains a caseload of complaints, collects information, reviews files, and gathers necessary information to identify relevant issues.
• Develops metrics to inform the University on workplace trends, process performance and complaint volumes relevant to the office.
• Understands diverse needs and responds in an appropriate and sensitive manner and facilitates access to additional sources of external and/or internal resources for support.
• Supports policy review and provides consultation procedures to ensure compliance and alignment with the Workers Compensation Act and BC Human Rights Code.
• Works collaboratively with stakeholder groups across the university to provide support and advice to students, staff, and faculty, including with EDI office, Indigenous Affairs, Student Life team, and Student Associations to support the development of education and training activities and programming.
• Supports the development of the HR Website with appropriate resources for information seekers.
• Infuses Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, leads by example, valuing differing perspectives and backgrounds and promoting equity, inclusion and respect in a diverse work environment.
• Creates the conditions for people with Indigenous and diverse backgrounds to succeed at UFV.
• Includes equity deserving groups in opportunities and decision-making.
• Builds inclusive and diverse teams who have different perspectives, abilities, experiences, races, backgrounds, identities, and/or styles.
• Invites and responds to different perspectives from a place of curiosity, respect, and non-judgement.
• Demonstrates respect for all members of the UFV community and proactively works to create an environment of inclusivity and accessibility.
• Engages in learning and activities related to actioning indigenization and understanding the impact of colonialism and the purpose of reconciliation.  

• Undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a relevant field.
• Minimum of five (5) years proven experience working in the areas of conflict resolution, education, and mediation.
• Skills and experience in conflict resolution, advocacy, mediation, consultation, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Skills and experience providing support to complainants and respondents while conducting complex investigations, collecting evidence, applying evidentiary principles, and writing reports.
• Experience providing professional advice within a policy-informed context.
• Demonstrated de-escalation response to conflict.
• Ability to exercise discretion, respond with tact and empathy, and remain impartial when dealing with sensitive information.
• Experience in a unionized environment is an asset.
• Strong facilitation skills and experience conducting respectful workplace training.
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant workplace legislation, including human rights, workers compensation and employment standards legislation.
• Strong understanding of anti-racism and EDI and the experiences of equity deserving groups, with a knowledge of relevant legislation and proven practices, and experience working in a culturally relevant and responsive manner to address needs of Indigenous, Black, and equity-deserving groups.
• Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint skills.

• Create and implement plans - shape, align and execute the strategic priorities to meet student and community needs.
• Lead change – Remain flexible, adjusting to changing circumstances and lead positive change by balancing innovation and calculated risk taking.
• Cultivate collaborative relationships – Build effective working relationships internally and externally and collaborate to achieve mutually beneficial goals.
• Inspire and develop talent - Invest in developing yourself, staff and faculty, effective teams, and our culture of excellence.
• Make effective decisions - Make sound and timely decisions that benefit UFV in both straightforward and ambiguous circumstance.
• Infuse Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion – Lead by example, valuing differing perspectives and backgrounds and promote equity, inclusion, and respect in a diverse environment.

The University of the Fraser Valley is located on the traditional territory of the Halq'eméylem-speaking peoples. We express our gratitude and respect for the honour of living and working in Stó:lo Tém:éxw (Stó:lo Land; Stó:lo World). In all that we do, UFV strives to support and honour the Stó:lo peoples goals of self-determination and well-being on these lands. A commitment to Indigenization and Reconciliation is core to our institutional Vision and Integrated Strategic Plan: IYAQAWTXW — which means House of Transformation. This commitment includes the goal of centering Indigenous ways of knowing throughout our organization, recognizing our responsibilities to community, and a multi-year plan to increase the number of Indigenous faculty, staff, and administrators working at UFV.

UFV has four campus locations within the beautiful Fraser Valley in British Columbia. Recognized as one of BC's top employers, UFV offers a combination of career and lifestyle benefits. Join a team of 1,400 passionate professionals who value integrity, inclusivity and excellence. At UFV, you will serve a vibrant community, and shape the future of 15,000 students.

Indigenization, equity, and diversity are essential to our work as a university. A diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented and marginalized. At UFV, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we proudly serve. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, members of groups that experience discrimination due to race, colour, place of origin, ancestry, and/or religion, persons who identify as women and 2SLGBTQ+, and persons with disabilities. We invite applicants to complete a confidential self-identification survey as part of the application process. All questions are voluntary, with an option to decline to answer. Information will be used to support efforts to broaden the diversity of the recruitment process, and results are not shared with the selection committee. Inquiries about the survey may be directed to careers@ufv.ca. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In an effort to be both environmentally and fiscally responsible, UFV will contact only candidates receiving an interview. We thank all applicants for considering UFV for employment. Shortlisted applicants may be required to undergo a criminal record check and/ or a verification of their education credentials. 

UFV is committed to the principle of equity in employment.