Labour Relations Officer

Human Resource Services and Staff Well-Being

Immediate start date

Salary: $93, 347 to $105, 064 About the Board

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) is committed to learning, equity, engagement and innovation. We are guided by our vision, Growing Together, the mission that every student experiences a sense of belonging and engages in dynamic learning to reach their potential and build their own future, and our values of Compassion, Dignity, Trust, and Joy to guide our daily work and ensure that we honour the unique identities and needs of all. Proudly serving a community of approximately 50,000 students in the City of Hamilton and surrounding area, HWDSB operates across 80 elementary schools, 13 secondary schools and 1 Adult Learning Centre, in addition to providing support and service to approximately 8,800 staff members.Staff Wellness

At HWDSB, staff wellness is a priority. We are committed to co-creating and fostering an environment where staff feel safe, valued, and supported. We are continuously striving to support the needs of our diverse community and actively work to foster and maintain a culture of human rights.

Our holistic Staff Wellness program has been designed to support employees well-being in all dimensions of health. As one part of this comprehensive program, all staff as well as their dependents have access to free and confidential supports through our Employee and Family Assistance Provider (EFAP), in addition to many other program components.About the Role

Reporting to the Manager, Labour Relations, the Labour Relations Officer will be an integral part of a highly collaborative and consultative team that is committed to promoting a consultative and solution focused approach to labour relations. Grounded by the Ontario Human Rights Code, you will provide senior level professional advice and assistance with respect to labour & employee relations matters in a complex and muti-faceted unionized environment with a diverse group of internal and external partners.

The Labour Relations Officer will assist in promoting collaborative, harmonious relations between the Board and its employees through the negotiation, administration, and interpretation of collective agreements, as well as through fair and objective investigations, resolution of issues and disciplinary matters. The opportunity would be well suited for a practical and adaptable self-starter who thrives in environments of change who is committed to furthering reconciliation, Indigenous Cultural Safety, and dismantling all forms of discrimination and oppression. Duties include but are not limited to: Act as a lead/resource in the collective bargaining process, represent as a spokesperson at designated bargaining tables, conduct relevant research, coordinate key labour relations issues, provide expertise to facilitate the bargaining process and consider organizational implications.

Interpret and administer nine (9) collective agreements across a varied range of employee groups.

Collaborate with the Human Rights and Equity Advisor and the Human Rights Office on various matters to implement policies and procedures and dismantle all forms of discrimination and oppression.

Provide timely and accurate advice regarding labour relations, employment legislation, conflict resolution, grievance administration, investigations, policies and best practices to senior management, principals, and supervisory staff.

Establish and maintain positive and collaborative working environments by fostering effective working relationships with union officials and a variety of internal and external partners.

Act as a lead and provide resources in the administration of all steps of the grievance/arbitration process in accordance with the relevant collective agreements.

Lead workplace investigations related to misconduct, discrimination, harassment, violations of Board policies and procedures, legislation, and child protection complaints.

Maintain currency in legislation, conduct research and interpret case law, arbitration awards, and Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario decisions while assessing and identifying industry trends.

Provide one to one or group training with solid presentation and facilitation skills.

Qualifications : University Degree in Labour Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resources Management or equivalent as determined by the Board.

Professional designation (e.g. CHRP/CHRL or equivalent)preferred/in process of/willing to obtain.

Workplace investigations certificate required/in process of/willing to obtain.

Alternative Dispute Resolutions Certificate considered an asset.

Minimum five years of progressive labour relations experience in a complex multi-union and public sector environment, preferably in the education sector.

Comprehensive knowledge of labour relations, human resources practices and processes, negotiations, grievance arbitrations, investigations, human rights, workplace harassment, and relevant provincial and federal legislation.

Highly developed interpersonal and listening skills with the ability to build collaborative working relationships and provide exemplary service to a diverse group of internal and external partners.

Excellent verbal and written communication, research, analytical, organizational, problem solving and strategic thinking skills with proven ability to influence change with a high degree of confidentiality and sensitivity.

Ability to complete detailed analysis, with attention to detail.

Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), HRIS systems, database knowledge preferred.

Strong negotiation, mediation, investigation, and critical thinking skills

Experience in leading union negotiations, chairing grievance meetings, and support in preparing complex cases for Arbitration.

Experience conducting complex workplace investigations.

Flexible, with strong organizational and time management skills to prioritize workload and the ability to manage competing interests in a fast paced, customer service-oriented environment with changing deadlines.

Travel to locations other than the Board office will be required. Reliable transportation needed.

Previous experience with education collective bargaining processes considered an asset.

Deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m. on May 3, 2024.

Employment Equity Statement

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) is committed to building inclusive learning and working environments where students see themselves reflected in the curriculum, staff population, physical surroundings and the broader community.HWDSBs mission is to empower students to learn and grow to their full potential in a diverse world. Guided by this mission, HWDSB strives to build a workforce that embodies the values of human rights, equity, diversity and inclusion, while reflecting and welcoming the diverse and distinct identities, experiences and needs of our students and our communities.HWDSB seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, and who will contribute to the vision of creating inclusive and equitable outcomes. HWDSB especially invites and welcomes applications from:

Indigenous Peoples (e.g., First Nations, Mtis and Inuit peoples).

Members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin (e.g., Black and racialized communities, immigrant communities, etc.).

Persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities.

Persons who identify as women.

Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. (i.e., Two-spirit and LGBTQIA+).

As part of HWDSBs commitment to employment equity and removing barriers to groups that have faced and continue to face barriers in employment, we invite all applicants to complete a voluntary questionnaire that collects identity-based information. The voluntary questionnaire is on the Apply to Education application page for this position.

HWDSB is committed to providing accommodation throughout the recruitment and selection process, based on any human rights protected grounds. If you require accommodation, please notify us in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs.Land Acknowledgement

HWDSB is located on ancestral Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Confederacy land as determined by the Dish with One Spoon treaty. The Dish with One Spoon wampum belt represents the treaty relationship between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and Anishinaabe with respect to sharing the land and resources thereon. The intent of this agreement is for all nations sharing this territory to do so responsibly, respectfully and sustainably in perpetuity. We respect the longstanding relationships with the local Indigenous communities, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Six Nations of the Grand River.Applicant Self-Identification Form

The information collected on this form is used to monitor HWDSBs progress toward our equity goals including our commitment to diversity in HWDSB recruitment and hiring practices. We are committed to the security and confidentiality of information under our control, and to the protection of privacy with respect to personal and confidential information that is collected, used, disclosed and retained in the system (Policy 1.6 - Privacy). Information on this form is collected pursuant to Ontarios Education Equity Action Plan (Ministry of Education) and in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). Access to this form is restricted to specific individuals in Human Resources. The Research and Analytics Department will use aggregate data from all the forms (not individual data) for internal reporting. Their access and use of the data is governed by MFIPPA and ethical research practices. Applicant Self-Identification Forms will be maintained in the Human Resources job competition file and securely destroyed 1 year after the job posting for candidates not selected for an interview and 6 years after the job posting for candidates interviewed, in accordance with general records retention principles. If you prefer not to answer any of the questions, you can select prefer not to answer. This in no way affects your application or the applicant selection process. If you have questions or concerns about this form please contact humanresources@hwdsb.on.ca.