Job Summary:
Service Area: Corporate Services
Department: Human Resources
Work Location: City Hall, 1 Carden Street
Work Mode: Hybrid
Job Type and Duration: Permanent, Full Time Vacancy
Position Availability: 1 existing vacant position
Salary Range: $97,148.69 - $121,435.86 per year
Affiliation: Non-Union
Posting Period: July 13, 2026 to August 9, 2026 11:59 p.m.
Why Join the City of Guelph?
When you join the City of Guelph, you join a team of over 2000 employees who deliver services the community relies on every day. Together, we are bringing to life Guelph’s vision of an inclusive, connected, and prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment. As a single tier municipality, we offer a variety of occupations and career specialities within our organization. Guided by the goals and objectives of the Future Guelph: Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Community Vision for an inclusive, connected, prosperous city.
What we offer
We offer competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to meet the needs of our diverse employees. Many of our positions offer:
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Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
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Paid personal days;
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Hybrid and flexible work arrangements;
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Defined benefit pension plan with OMERS, including 100-per-cent employer matching;
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Extended health and dental benefits, including Health Care Spending Account;
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Employee and Family Assistance Program;
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Parental leave top up program;
- Learning and development opportunities including tuition assistance
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Employee recognition programs.
Position Overview:
Resumes are being accepted for the position of Compensation Specialist within the Human Resources department. Reporting to the Manager, Total Compensation and HR Systems, the successful candidate is the City’s subject matter expert on compensation, job evaluation, pay equity and organizational design. This role is responsible for compensation analysis, market research, job evaluation, and the development and maintenance of compensation programs and practices. The Compensation Specialist will provide strategic advice and recommendations to support organizational decision-making, legislative compliance, internal equity, and the attraction and retention of talent across the City. Guided by the goals and objectives of the City’s Strategic Plan and committed to the Corporate Values of integrity, service, inclusion, wellness and learning, the candidate will aid in the achievement of the Vision for an inclusive, connected and prosperous city.
Key duties and responsibilities
Compensation Program
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Develop and maintain the City’s compensation programs including, but not limited to, conducting compensation analysis for staff and Council and providing data-driven recommendations to senior management
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Regularly evaluate the City’s compensation strategy, salary administration and program effectiveness
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Conduct market research and participate in compensation surveys to support competitive compensation programs. Analyze and interpret compensation and HR data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities
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Administer compensation exceptions and special pay arrangements; monitor salary compression and internal equity issues and provide recommendations
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Build and maintain effective relationships with municipal and compensation networks to support benchmarking and best practices
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Review and validate benchmarking analyses prepared for new and revised positions, provide guidance on complex cases, identify missing or incomplete information
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Monitor compensation trends, best practices, and legislative developments
Job Evaluation and Pay Equity
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Accountable for the non-union and union job evaluation processes, including facilitating joint labour-management job evaluation committees. Manage the non-union job evaluation program
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Maintain job evaluation documentation, records, and tools to ensure compliance with corporate and legislative requirements
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Advise on compensation matters, such as, pay decisions, salary progression, and policy interpretation
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Provide training and guidance on job evaluation processes and tools
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Lead Pay Equity compliance activities and initiatives, including workforce analysis, job class comparisons, reporting, and ongoing program maintenance
Advisory -
Provide advice to managers and other Human Resources professionals on job design and job descriptions to ensure consistency and alignment with organizational structure and corporate policies
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Working through the Human Resources Advisors, provide advice on organizational design projects, workforce planning, and restructuring initiatives
Other duties
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Provide compensation analysis, costing, and data to support collective bargaining, grievances, and arbitration processes
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Maintains data integrity of the Compensation and Job Evaluation programs
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Lead compensation and job evaluation projects, including compensation reviews, Pay Equity initiatives, and process, systems and workflow improvements
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Perform other job-related duties as assigned
Qualifications and requirements
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Post-secondary education in a related field. Must have specific training in compensation, job evaluation and Pay Equity. Note that equivalent combinations of education, experience and training will be considered
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Considerable experience in compensation analysis, salary administration, organizational design and job evaluation
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Experience validating, analyzing and reporting on compensation data
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Deep knowledge of non-union and unionized compensation program design and salary administration
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Extensive knowledge of prevailing employment legislation, such as the Employment Standards Act, Pay Equity Act, and Human Rights Code
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Knowledge of job evaluation methodologies
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Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience with financial modelling and interpreting complex data
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Intermediate ability to use Microsoft 365 tools, including SharePoint, Teams, and Outlook, to support collaboration, document management, and workflow efficiency.
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Demonstrated ability to identify process improvement opportunities and implement practical, effective solutions
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Possesses sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information
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High degree of attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate data
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Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex compensation concepts in clear, plain language while maintaining tact
Asset qualifications
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Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation
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Experience in compensation program design and policy development
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Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including modelling, analysis, and data manipulation; experience using data visualization or reporting tools and HR systems (e.g., JD Edwards, PeopleSoft, SAP, UKG)
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Aforementioned experience acquired in a unionized or public sector environment
Hours of work
35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m and 4:30 p.m. This position is eligible for hybrid and flexible work arrangement options (as per current corporate policy).
How to apply
Click "Apply Now" on the top right hand side of your screen by August 9, 2026.
Hiring Process Transparency
The City of Guelph is committed to fair and transparent recruitment practices. Candidates who participate in an interview for this position will be notified of the hiring decision within 45 days of their interview. Notifications will be provided in writing, or through technology.
Commitment to Diversity & Accessibility
The City of Guelph is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where employees feel welcome, valued and engaged. Our employment policies strictly prohibit all forms of discrimination on any of the grounds in relevant laws. All employment practices are solely based on individual merit, qualifications, and organization's needs at the time. In keeping with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, we are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals in our job application procedures. If you need an accommodation in order to participate in the hiring process, you may contact us to make your needs known in advance.
Privacy Notice
Personal information collected through the recruitment process will be used solely to determine eligibility for employment. We thank all candidates in advance; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.
