Human Resources Business Partner

Position Description:

The City of Waterloo is excited to recruit an experienced HR Business Partner to join our collaborative and progressive team.  As a member of the Employee Relations section of the Human Resources team, you will work collaboratively with both leaders and front-line employees to support a wide-variety of HR and operational objectives.  

Accountabilities:

• Establish and maintain positive and respectful working relationships with internal partners at all levels of the organization and with external partners.
• Embed the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all processes and service delivery within area of responsibility.
• Provide Human Resources counselling, coaching and support to leaders and other staff where applicable, in workforce planning, recruitment, employee and labour relations, performance management, respectful workplace matters, and employee and team wellbeing.
• Provide support and guidance to leaders and other staff in the interpretation and administration of corporate policies, procedures and collective agreements, ensuring consistency and compliance with applicable legislation and regulations.
• Partner with leaders to analyze workforce requirements and develop strategies to address gaps and/or risks, ensuring City operations have the people resources required to meet their business objectives.
• Collaborate with hiring managers on full cycle recruitment activities ensuring adherence to relevant collective agreements, legislation, and policies/procedures.
• Consult and coach leaders in addressing employee relations concerns with care and compassion, including but not limited to performance management, human rights accommodation, conflict management, and attendance support.
• Build and establish positive working relationships with union representatives and collaborate with City leaders to foster positive labour relations.
• Facilitate problem solving and implement conflict resolution strategies to address workplace issues involving staff and/or management.
• Foster and promote a positive workplace culture free of intimidation, incivility and harassment.
• Lead formal and informal Respectful Workplace and Violence in the Workplace investigations, as required.
• Assist leaders in identifying opportunities to promote positive workplace relations and improved team dynamics.
• Participate in the development and delivery of Corporate training and new employee orientation.
• Participate in the identification, development and review of human resources processes, policies and procedures, including employee and leadership resources/tool kits.
• Participate on Corporate project teams and committees, as required.
• Lead team initiatives and independent projects, as required.
• Other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration or Arts with a post-graduate certificate in Human Resources Management and a minimum 3 years experience in recruitment, employee, and and labour relations in a unionized environment. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered. Certified Human Resources Professional or Certified Human Resources Leader designation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and ability to interpret relevant legislation including but not limited to the Employment Standards Act (ESA), Labour Relations Act (LRA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC), and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA).

• Ability to exercise sound judgment, tact, and compassion in dealing with sensitive employee issues and confidential matters.
• Ability to conduct research, analyze data and use critical thinking skills to identify possible solutions to specific issues and/or to support continuous improvement in HR processes, policies, and service delivery.
• Sound written, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage conflict professionally and respectfully, encouraging and motivating staff to address conflict directly and collaboratively.
• Strong customer service orientation with exceptional relationship building and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment.
• Good working knowledge of HRIS and recruitment software, with advanced skills in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel and PowerPoint; experience with PeopleSoft HRMS preferred.
• Previous training in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and experience enhancing HR programs to remove barriers and promote belonging is preferred.
• A satisfactory police criminal records and judicial matters check will be required as a condition of hire.

Application Process

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter in one document through the online application process at the City of Waterloo Careers page.

Be You @ Waterloo

At the City of Waterloo, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. All interested and qualified candidates, including Indigenous persons, Black persons, non-Black racialized persons/persons of colour, women, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ and those interested in joining our team are encouraged to apply.

Accommodation

The City of Waterloo is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace that is welcoming, inclusive, and barrier-free. Accommodations in accordance with the Human Rights Code and other applicable legislation are available throughout all stages of the recruitment process. For accommodation during the application process, applicants are requested to make their needs known via email at recruitment@waterloo.ca, quoting the position and competition number. Applicants advanced through to subsequent stages of the recruitment process will be provided with additional opportunities to make their needs known.

We’ve Got You Covered

The City of Waterloo strives to be an employer of choice for strong talent dedicated to serving our community, and offer the following:

• Flexible work schedules to support and nurture work-life balance;
• Competitive wages and a fulsome employer paid benefits package, including paid sick leave, long-term disability, OMERS pension and an Employee and Family Assistance Program;
• A staff team dedicated to fostering and advancing action to support the organization’s ongoing commitment to Indigenous Initiatives, Anti-Racism, Accessibility and Equity;
• Substantial internal and external training and development opportunities;
• Compassionate and caring organization that promotes and embraces a culture of health, safety and wellness;
• Strong commitment to providing and maintaining a psychologically safe workplace that is respectful, inclusive, and where all individuals are valued;
• Paid vacation and personal days, paid float holiday(s), and an overtime bank;
• Employee Purchase Programs (Corporate Cell Phone plans, Computer Purchase Plan, etc.);
• Dress-down Fridays,  and optional Wednesdays in partnership with the United Way fundraising campaign;
• City of Waterloo Staff Recreation Pass;
• Anniversary milestone gifts for regular part-time and full-time staff; and,
• So much more!