Detailed Job Description

BE PART OF THE TEAM THAT BRINGS THE WORLD TOGETHER

Career Opportunity: Labour Relations Advisor

Join an organization that plays a critical role in Canada’s economy. At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, we focus on doing the incredible work it takes to become the world’s most sustainable port.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is responsible for the stewardship of the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest and most diversified port. Our mandate as a Canada Port Authority, as set out by the Canada Marine Act, is to enable Canada’s trade objectives, ensuring goods are moved safely and responsibly through the Port of Vancouver. That means providing infrastructure and ensuring the safe and efficient movement of marine traffic and cargo within the port. It also means we carry out reviews of proposed activities and developments on federal port lands and waters to determine whether a project can go ahead without impacts to the environment and community that... cannot be mitigated.

We are passionate about the work we do and what it contributes to our local communities, the region and our country. This is reflected in our values of collaboration, continuous improvement, accountability and customer responsiveness.

Be a part of a team that advances initiatives to promote economic prosperity through trade, a healthy environment and thriving communities for the future generations of Canadians. It’s a workplace where the intrinsic value of your contribution to help foster the continued growth of the Canadian economy becomes a tangible reality. Bring your unique strengths, perspectives and experiences to the port authority and join us in charting a course toward a sustainable future.

The Labour Relations Advisor is responsible for providing technical, effective, and proactive advice including labour/employee relations, disability management, employee programs and HR processes. This position works to ensure consistency and appropriate application of employer best practices, the collective agreement, port authority policies and statutory requirements.

The Labour Relations Advisor Will
• Provide advice and information to managers, and HR business partners on the interpretation and application of the collective agreement and on workplace directives, processes, and policies.
• Provide support to managers and HR business partners relating to labour relations, performance management, human resources policies and procedures, discipline, case law and government legislation and regulations.
• Negotiate with union representatives to resolve disputes prior to a formal grievance whenever possible.
• Investigate, research, and analyze labour relations issues, conduct grievance hearings, and prepare cases for arbitration hearings.
• Develop strategies, gather evidence, prepare and/or conduct investigative interviews as applicable, and write documentation.
• Participates in collective bargaining as a resource.
• Act as a technical resource on corporate projects by providing a labour relations perspective of the impacts on planned activities, programs, and initiatives.
• Provide guidance in the management of accommodation issues.
• Provide guidance on the appropriateness of disciplinary and non-disciplinary actions.
• Provide confidential advice to management and HR business partners regarding effective conflict resolution.
• Facilitate and support the grievance process and other workplace issues and provide guidance to managers on labour relations matters.
• Develop, implement, and monitor safe stay-at-work and/or return-to-work plans for employees with injury or illness.
• Coordinate disability case management of ill and injured employees, including early intervention and provision of services and referrals, to implement cost-effective strategies to decrease absence.
• Provide advice and manage disability management processes for employees, including topics such as policy and procedures, enrolment, acceptance/denial of disability claims, reinstatements, individual/group transfers, disability management practices, and other related matters.
• Collaborate with Occupational Health and Safety, providing services to employees that require injury, medical, and/or rehabilitation support.
• Assess and facilitate return-to-work plans for all employees.
• Assess employees’ fitness for work based on bona fide medical and functional information.
• Develop, in collaboration with the employee and their care providers, individualized plans that facilitate an injured or ill employee’s return to work or stay at work that meets the employee’s functional ability.
• Promote best practices in disability management through communication, provision of expert advice, and training of employees, managers, union representatives, HR, and others.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all employees in the disability management program.

SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

A high degree of initiative, good judgment, and interpersonal and communications skills are required. Must possess tact, diplomacy, and the ability to maintain confidentiality. Must have the ability to communicate effectively with all employees and have a developed business acumen to problem-solve and achieve mutually gainful solutions. Must exhibit a strong orientation towards customer service and be highly motivated to work both independently and in a team environment.

Education & Experience

Appropriate university degree along with a minimum of three years of experience providing employee and labour relations advice, disability management advice and services in a unionized environment or an acceptable combination of education and experience. Degree in law would be considered an asset. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).

WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal office conditions.

The health and safety of our employees is a priority, and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is committed to ensuring a safe workplace. Vaccinations, in combination with other preventative health and safety measures, offer the best available protection against COVID-19 and that is why port authority employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Providing proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is a condition of employment.

Candidates may be accommodated for this requirement if they are approved for a legal exemption; accommodation may be requested only for religious and medical reasons, or other protected grounds under the Canadian Human Rights Act. If you’re seeking accommodation to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, please indicate your request during the recruitment process.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority offers a competitive total compensation package including an earned time off program.

This work is Canadian based employment and expected to be performed from our Vancouver office location.

Please note this posting will remain open until filled.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At the port authority, we are dedicated to employment equity and a workplace reflective of the diversity of our port community.

Learn more about us at www.portvancouver.com
Vancouver BC

Salary Criteria