Human Resources Specialist

**Classification & Regular Hours**: Hours per Week: 35 Salary Grade: 15 **About Western**: Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference. **About Us**: The Faculty of Social Science is a large, diverse, and research-intensive academic unit that endeavors to deliver high impact publications in the discipline. Students at every level benefit from this research and are educated to think critically about society in both their everyday lives and their future professions. **Responsibilities**: The Human Resources Specialist facilitates and provides oversight for staff-related human resources in the Faculty of Social Science, under the direction of the Director of Administration. The Human Resources Specialist provides support to the Director across a broad range of staff human resource functions including staff recruitment, job design and descriptions, onboarding and orientation, training, maintenance and development of policies and procedures, record management and reporting, and process improvement as required. The Specialist contributes to the overall effectiveness of the Management team by providing advice, education and support to Department Managers and Department Chairs on employee relations issues such as performance reviews, vacation and attendance management, training and development, and mentorship. The Human Resources Specialist provides guidance and advice on the interpretation and implementation of Western policies, procedures, collective and employee agreements, government legislation and grievance processes. The Human Resources Specialist will respond to complex inquiries, resolve issues independently and will direct individuals to the appropriate resources as required. **Qualifications**: - Education: - Undergraduate Degree in Business Management/Administration, Human Resources/Industrial Relations or related field - Completion of Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation - Completion of or working toward CHRL or specific designation for area of focus is preferred - Experience: - 5 years’ experience in human resources administration, preferably in a unionized environment - Experience managing staff and projects - Strong people management experience with direct accountability for recruitment, human resource planning, on-going training and development and performance management - Previous experience in higher education or public sector is preferred - Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: - In-depth knowledge of Human Resources statute, principles and practices and of the Employment Standards Act, and other relevant legislation - Knowledge of Western collective agreements and policies impacting staff - Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to coach team members as well as work in a respectful manner with a diverse community of faculty and staff, colleagues and other stakeholders - Verbal and written communication skills to translate information into easily understood terms, summarize information, provide a rationale for action and provide proposals development and presentation to senior management - Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and with human resources information systems (such as PeopleSoft) - Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy - Ability to work independently and maintain direction and focus through proactive planning and organized approaches to work - Creative problem-solving skills and sound professional judgment, with a consultative and collaborative approach to addressing issues and opportunities - Ability to understand, interpret, and effectively communicate University guidelines, policies and practices to key stakeholders - Demonstrated ability to understand and resolve external and internal partner issues with the ability to make sound assessment of urgency and appropriate consultations for resolution - Ability to identify opportunities for improvement, while being open to trying new ideas and working methods - Proven ability to take initiative and champion a project from conception through implementation and evaluation **Western Values Diversity**: **Please Note**: We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.