Overview
The YMCA is a charity that has been helping Canadians improve their lives since the first Y opened in 1851. Y programs are offered at more than 1,700 locations across Canada and help more than 2.25 million people annually become healthier in spirit, mind, and body. The YMCA of the National Capital Region proudly serves people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, and works to address critical social needs in our community. We are a leader and valued partner in creating a vibrant and healthy community where everyone belongs and can reach their full potential.
This position requires a commitment to the Y mission and core values of responsibility, honesty, caring, respect, and inclusion, which form the foundation of all Y programs and services.
Working for the Y
Are you looking to use your skills and unique gifts to make a real difference in your community? The YMCA of the National Capital Region is a great workplace committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, where different backgrounds, experiences, and identities are appreciated and celebrated. The YMCA provides hundreds of employees with meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. We recognize the contributions of our staff through innovative practices, great benefits, and growth opportunities. Whether you are starting out in your career or a seasoned professional, you will find many exciting opportunities to achieve your personal and career goals.
Vacancy Status: This job posting is for an existing vacancy.
What do we offer?
At the Y, you will be part of a vibrant and diverse network of people whose shared vision is to change lives and make our communities home to the healthiest children, teens, adults, and families.
Our competitive wage and benefit package include:
- Free YMCA gym membership;
- Discounted Y program fees (including health & fitness programs, child care, and camps);
- Access to our YMCA Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) including free, immediate, confidential assistance and counselling for you and your family members for mental and physical health, and financial advice, among other 12 suites of services;
- Health and Dental Insurance;
- Long-term Disability and Life Insurance;
- Access to our Canadian YMCA Retirement Fund pension plan;
- Up to 25 vacation days per year including two float days, and one birthday vacation;
- Maternity leave benefits for up to 18 months.
- Some benefits may vary based on employment terms
What do you offer?
Reporting to the People & Culture Manager, the People & Culture Labour Specialist provides excellent service to the public and staff of the YMCA of the National Capital Region. Key responsibilities include building strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring compliance with employment laws, conducting investigations, managing grievances and arbitrations.
Key objectives:
- Promoting a positive work environment by fostering trust, respect, and inclusivity between management and employees, while developing strategies to enhance employee engagement and satisfaction.
- Helping develop two new social enterprise components:
- Providing tailored, practical advice and hands-on support to other non-profits and charities with their labour relations needs.
- Focusing on creating a comprehensive digital repository of labour relations tools accessible to YMCAs. across Canada, other non-profits, and charities.
- Conducting effective work investigations both union and non-union by leading thorough and confidential inquiries into employee complaints or misconduct, while managing labour relations matters through the interpretation and application of collective agreements and Employment Standards Act, 2000, timely resolution of disputes, and addressing grievances, all with the aim of ensuring fair and transparent outcomes.
Some of the tasks of this position include:
Labour Relations
- Administering and interpreting collective agreements, managing employee and labour relations issues, and guiding grievance/arbitration procedures.
- Ensuring compliance with employment laws, regulations, and policies through audits, training, and proactive solutions to resolve disputes.
- Conducting investigations, addressing complaints, and collaborating with managers on performance management, conflict resolution, and workplace design.
- Supporting health and safety activities, preparing for arbitration cases, assisting in contract negotiations, and facilitating union-management meetings.
Collaborative Labour Relations
- Providing tailored, practical advice and hands-on support to YMCAs across Canada, other non-profits and charities with their labour relations needs.
- Focusing on creating a comprehensive digital repository of labour relations tools accessible to YMCAs across Canada, non-profits and charities to support them through the unionization process, bargaining, and workforce management.
Work Investigations
- Leading thorough, confidential investigations into employee complaints, misconduct, or policy violations, gathering evidence through interviews and document reviews.
- Maintaining confidentiality, documenting findings, preparing reports, and recommending corrective actions or disciplinary measures.
- Providing guidance and support to managers and employees throughout the investigation process.
People and Culture Administration and Legal Compliance
- Assisting in developing, implementing, and communicating HR policies, ensuring legal compliance and alignment with organizational standards.
- Reviewing and updating policies, providing employee and manager training, and serving as a resource for HR guidance.
- Preparing HR letters (e.g., terminations, promotions), ensuring accuracy and legal compliance.
- Developing and updating job descriptions and job analysis across the Association.
- Converting PowerPoint presentations and recordings into engaging learning materials.
What qualifications and abilities are we looking for?
At the YMCA of the National Capital Region, we strive to ensure our employees are a fit based on their strengths, interests, and future goals.
The successful candidate will have the following:
Education
- Post-secondary Certificate or Diploma in Human Resources, and/or an undergraduate degree in Labour Relations or a related field
Language
- Fluent in English, oral and written
- Bilingualism is an asset
Experience, Skills and Abilities
- 5 years of experience in Labour Relations within a unionized and non-unionized environment, with strong knowledge of the Labour Relations Act, Employment Standards Act, 2000, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and Human Rights Code
- Proficiency in effectively managing and resolving conflicts and disputes in various workplace settings, utilizing strong communication and negotiation skills to achieve positive outcomes
- Experience with collective agreements, grievance management, and arbitration preparation
- Prior experience in conducting employee investigations within both non-labour and labour relations contexts
- Solid background in Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), with demonstrated experience in utilizing and managing HRIS platforms to support organizational processes and data management
Additional Requirements:
- Applicants must already have a valid permit to work in Canada.
- A Police Record check, not more than 6 months old is required. Police Records checks are reviewed on an individual basis and the offense(s) - if any - is considered in the decision-making process in relation to the requirement of working with children, therefore not eliminating all candidates with a record from being offered a position.
- Annually, staff must complete the mandatory training for the protection of Children & Youth and submit the certificate of completion.
Core Competencies:
- Organization Sensitivity: Articulates and ensures that stakeholders have knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the scope and diversity of the Association’s strategic outcomes, vision, mission, programs and services.
- Problem Solving: Identifies an issue, gathers and processes relevant information, coming up with possible solutions, selecting appropriate responses, and implementing them.
- Communication: Communicates in a thorough, clear and timely manner and supports information sharing and goal achievement across the Association
- Quality Focus: Ensures that success criteria for self, staff and programs are set, reviewed and surpassed regularly to provide excellent service delivery.
- Collaboration: Workscollaboratively with colleagues across departments and programs to achieve common goals, fostering a sense of teamwork, and shared accountability.
- Confidentiality: Manages and safeguards employee information, ensuring it remains secure and protected.
About diversity and inclusiveness at the Y:
Inclusiveness is a part of our core values and we are committed to ensuring the diversity of the people and communities we serve and as well as our staff. We welcome candidates from racialized groups, invisible minorities, Indigenous People, women, persons with disabilities, persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
YMCA of the National Capital Region is committed to accessibility in employment and to ensuring equal access to employment opportunities for candidates, including persons with disabilities. In compliance with AODA, the YMCA will endeavour to provide accommodation to people withdisabilities in the recruitment process upon request. If you are selected for an interview and require accommodation due to a disability during the recruitment process, please email [email protected] upon scheduling your interview.
Statement on Use of Artificial Intelligence in Employment Decisions:
At the YMCA, we are committed to maintaining a fair and equitable hiring process. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants for any positions of employment. All employment decisions are made by our dedicated People and Culture team, ensuring that each candidate is evaluated on an individual basis with the utmost consideration for their unique qualifications and experiences.
How to apply?
All internal applicants must inform their supervisor of their intention to apply for the position.
Thank you for your interest in joining the YMCA of the National Capital Region. We appreciate all applications. Due to the volume of applicants, we are only able to contact those selected for further consideration in the hiring process.
The YMCA of the National Capital Region is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer.
