Labour Relations Specialist - #229022

Job Posting

Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting applications for one full-time, up to 12 month temporary position as Labour Relations Specialist in Human Resources. Should this temporary position become permanent through the business planning process, the successful candidate may be offered the permanent position without a further job competition process, provided the incumbent has met the required performance expectations for the position.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

The Labour Relations Specialist (LRS) is a labour professional who is responsible for the delivery of expert advice to their assigned clients to support the best possible labour relations outcomes for the municipality. Labour relations services include: fact finding/investigation, collective bargaining, grievance management, union-management relations, progressive discipline, collective agreement administration, training/education/coaching and human rights/other legal obligations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supports leaders through workplace investigations including: assisting with development of investigation plan, drafting of questions, attending investigation meetings, advising on procedural issues, analyzing evidence, drawing conclusions and making recommendations for corrective action where appropriate
• Leads or co-leads collective bargaining on behalf of HRM
• Supports leaders through the grievance process in accordance with best labour relations practices including providing advice on strategic grievance handling, grievance processing, procedural requirements, dispute resolution options
• Assists Legal Services colleagues with arbitration case preparation including identification of witnesses, gathering and/or preparation of exhibits, and attending arbitration, labour board hearings and other hearings
• Tracks grievance trends to identify collective bargaining priorities and/or change management opportunities
• Drafts and/or reviews grievance responses, settlement agreements, summary of arbitration outcomes/lessons learned
• Provides labour relations expert advice to clients to help them lead change management initiatives in respect of the organized workforce to support business and corporate outcomes
• Leads or attends Union-Management relations/meetings
• Serves as a source of expertise with respect to the collective agreement and bargaining history
• Provides interpretation of collective agreements
• Contributes to the review, revision, introduction and implementation of new or updated policies, guidelines and processes to clients, in accordance with KVP principles
• Develops and delivers training on a variety of labour relations topics
• Provides advice in respect of duty to accommodate and bona fide occupational requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in Business, Human Resources, Law, Industrial Relations or other undergraduate degree with exposure to Industrial Relations
• A minimum of two years’ experience in advising employer clients as a labour specialist in the public sector or private sector.
• Experience in collective bargaining as a bargaining team member or research support is an asset
• Must have demonstrated experience communicating effectively in person and in writing.
• A suitable combination of education and experience will be considered.

Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Knowledge of legislation including but not limited to: Trade Union Act, Labour Standards Code, Human Rights Act, OHS Act, WCB Act.
• Knowledge of caselaw research using online tools including CanLii, Lexis-Nexis
• Knowledge of principles of labour relations and contract administration.
• Knowledge of principles of dispute resolution and problem solving.
• Knowledge of collective agreement costing and mathematical calculations.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must clearly demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion.

Please Note: An Eligibility List may be established from this competition. Vacancies that are not filled internally will be filled from this Eligibility List. The list would be effective for 6 months and could be extended, as required.

COMPETENCIES: Analytical Thinking, Communication, Conflict Management, Customer Service, Organizational Awareness, Organization & Planning, Risk Management, Teamwork & Cooperation, Values & Ethics, Valuing Diversity

WORK STATUS: Temporary, full time

HOURS OF WORK: 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday to Friday; 35 hours per week. Flex options to work outside of these hours and hybrid may be available.

SALARY: Non-union level 8 ($89,570 - $115,920). Salary will be determined based on relevant experience and qualifications related to the specified pay band and job. Placement above the midpoint of the pay band is typically reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the minimum qualifications, such as those with exceptional experience, specialized skills, or demonstrated achievements relevant to the role. This ensures fair and consistent compensation practices across the organization.

WORK LOCATION: Purdy's Wharf Tower II (1969 Upper Water St, Halifax); flexibility to travel throughout HRM is required.

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59 pm on Sunday June 28, 2026

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.

To ensure a fair and equitable hiring process, candidates are expected to complete all parts of the recruitment process, including assessments, assignments, and interviews independently and without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or other forms of external assistance. The use of AI to complete any component of the hiring process is not permitted and may result in disqualification from consideration.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide proof of their qualifications, including, but not limited to, educational credentials, professional licenses, and relevant certifications.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as interview or testing) and who require an accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Talent Acquisition Advisor when invited to the assessment process. For more information on our accommodation process please click on the link: Accommodations | Hiring | Employment | Halifax

(position # 72283190)