Human Resources Advisor

The Municipality of North Cowichan (population 31,900) is located in the beautiful Cowichan Valley on Southern Vancouver Island, between Nanaimo and Victoria. Our communities of Chemainus, Crofton, Maple Bay and the South End are home to a multitude of artistic, cultural and outdoor recreational activities. The Municipality provides a stable and varied work environment, competitive pay and benefits.

We are looking for a confident and customer-oriented individual to perform a range of Human Resources (HR) generalist responsibilities at an experienced level in a fast-paced, deadline-driven and complex local government setting. If you are self-motivated, looking to take on a new challenge where you can make a difference, enjoy both responsibility and accountability with one of British Columbia's most inclusive and environmentally conscious municipalities, we look forward to receiving your application!

Reporting to the Director, Human Resources and Health & Safety, the Human Resources Advisor will take a lead role in facilitating positive talent management and employee/labour relations outcomes for the Municipality. Core responsibilities for this position will include, but are not limited to:

• Providing advice and assistance to leadership and/or employees to resolve employee and labour relations inquiries, grievances or issues in accordance with the collective agreement, exempt employee handbook, employer policies and/or applicable law.
• Conducting employee/labour relations investigations and recommending corrective actions to the Director of Human Resources as required.
• Leading full-cycle recruitment and working closely with other team members to ensure HR oversight of all competitions; conducting job analyses and job evaluations as required.
• Providing analysis and recommendations on compensation and classification requests including supporting salary surveys and in preparation for collective bargaining.
• Supporting the Director in managing the new employee orientation program and working closely with other team members to ensure a timely and effective orientation experience.
• Supporting the administration of the Employee Feedback and Development System (EFDS), Employee Recognition Program and any other HR led employee programs, as required.
• Coaching and assisting managers through performance management and/or culpable attendance issues.
• Implementing special projects as required to support HR operations, learning and development, succession planning, employee engagement, retention, recognition, internal communications, etc.

This role is best suited to someone who is confident relying on their knowledge of HR best practice, independent research and analytical thinking skills to recommend customer solutions, adept at managing through conflict and/or resistance, takes a 'win-win' approach to problem-solving wherever possible, enjoys managing/prioritizing a varied HR portfolio and understands the importance of organizational and political awareness for a public-sector HR professional.

Required Skills, Qualifications and Abilities:

• An undergraduate degree in Business Administration, or a related discipline, and a minimum of five (5) years' experience in progressively increased scope and responsibility of Human Resources roles. A combination of experience and education in a related field may be considered. A CPHR designation will be considered an asset.
• Experience leading full-cycle recruitment;
• Experience managing/administering Human Resources programs and special projects;
• Experience interpreting collective agreements, policies and procedures, terms and conditions of employment and Human Resources legislation/leading cases;
• Experience providing consultative advice in a unionized environment to supervisors/managers in the areas of labour/employee relations, performance management, attendance management, discipline and grievance handling;
• Experience organizing and preparing grievance file documentation, preparation of matters for arbitration or other dispute resolution areas, and drafting reports and correspondence.

The successful candidate will also have the proven ability to influence and persuade others, manage workplace conflict, think analytically, build relationships, work well in a team, exercise discretion and judgement when dealing with confidential and sensitive matters and communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Candidates being considered will be required to undergo a comprehensive evaluation of skills, qualifications and abilities. The successful candidate will be required to undergo a police information check. The successful candidate will also need to possess and maintain a valid Class 5 B.C. Driver's Licence and a satisfactory current driver's abstract will be required.

A competitive salary and comprehensive benefit package is offered. This position is excluded from union membership.