Conflict Resolution Advisor

Branch: Executive Office

Section: Executive Office - Administration

Employment Type: Term up to eighten (18) months

Linguistic Requirement: Bilingual (English, French)

Global Linguistic Level: C1

Salary: $118,293 to $133,145 + $1, Bilingual Allowance)

Location: Ottawa Headquarters

Category of Applicants: Internal; Membership; Public

Closing Date: 02/03/2026

Who are we?

Founded in 1966, the Public Service Alliance of Canada represents 245,000 workers in every province and territory in Canada and in locations around the world. PSAC is headquartered in Ottawa with regional offices across the country. PSAC strives to enhance its members' quality of life and has been at the forefront of significant and successful campaigns for workplace and human rights. Learn more about our victories.

We will support your mental and physical health with:

• Flexible work arrangements (hybrid employees may have their own dedicated workstations).
• Group benefits (health, dental, life insurance, disability insurance, employee and family assistance), such as $7,500 for mental health professionals, that are 100% paid by the employer. Defined benefit pension plan (50/50 contribution from you and us).
• Three weeks' vacation to start, plus extra paid leave to support your wellness.
• Generous support for your professional growth and career development.
• $800 per year recreation allowance.

Primary Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Director, Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Bureau, the Conflict Resolution Advisor provides advice to the Director and the Management Team and liaises with PSAC staff and staff unions on conflict resolution internal to the organization.

The position implements proactive strategies, measures and mechanisms to shift the organizational culture by supporting the development and implementation of organizational models to prevent and resolve internal conflicts and disputes with a trauma-informed approach.

This includes the evaluation, development, adoption and application of the appropriate conflict and dispute resolution models to resolve conflicts based on the prohibited grounds under the Human Rights Act through the application of an intersectional equity lens and Indigenous-centered approaches. The position oversees and monitors internal conflict and dispute resolution processes and assists with the development and delivery of training and education in that area.

The Advisor will advise and assist the Director and Management Team regarding human resources issues as they may intersect with the Employer's obligations regarding equity, human rights and psychological health and safety.

The Advisor will provide advice to the Director and the Management Team on methods to address and mitigate conflict within the workplace with the goal of ensuring a harmonious and inclusive workplace for all staff of PSAC.

The Advisor may provide recommendations on equitable and inclusive staffing, policy development, collective bargaining, workplace assessment/investigation and dispute resolution in accordance with numerous collective agreements, policies and across all provincial, territorial and federal legislations.

What you will bring to the table:
Education/Experience

• Expert knowledge of labour relations and organizational psychology often acquired through formal training in conflict studies, organizational psychology, alternate dispute resolution or legal studies. This includes an ability to understand various dispute resolutions mechanisms and to evaluate and assess which model works best in a variety of circumstances.
• Completion of a recognized advanced certificate program in mediation, dispute resolution or extensive experience in mediating complex and systemic labour relations disputes.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years' experience in the field of dispute resolution.
• A minimum of five years' experience handling mediation processes.
• Experience with the application of Human Rights Legislation.
• Experience providing mediation and training in a unionized environment.

Knowledge

• knowledge of issues related to human rights and equity including disability; Indigenous peoples; the diverse racialized communities; two spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, queer + persons, including how these issues relate to gender within specific communities. Superior knowledge of legal research methodology and mechanisms for dispute resolution.
• Practical knowledge of various conflict resolution models, including Indigenous models of dispute resolution.
• Excellent knowledge of the principles of employment equity, human rights obligations.
• Capacity to apply an intersectional equity perspective to conflicts that draws on the principles of decolonization and reconciliation.
• Knowledge of acts and regulations, policies and practices which govern the employer-employee relationship.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the practices and principles of the labour movement.
• Excellent knowledge of Human Rights legislation, Health & Safety and Employment Equity legislation and principles.
• Firm understanding of organizational conflicts and Regulation 19.
• Sound understanding of human resources in a union environment.
• Understanding of the sensitive political and social issues between a union employer and its internal bargaining agents.

Abilities

• Ability to research case law, interview peoples from various backgrounds and collect facts.
• Ability to promote mediation, healing circles, conciliation and negotiation as dispute resolution processes.
• Ability to establish relationship of trust with complainants or grievers through the mediation process.
• Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders.
• Ability to plan, organize and co-ordinate the preparation of various cases in a dynamic and changing work environment.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to conduct detailed analysis of information, and to create and deliver best solutions.
• Excellent facilitation skills; ability to engage diverse audiences and at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability in managing highly confidential matters.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate at the right level for the intended audience.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet firm deadlines.
• Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision.
• Ability to identify systemic issues encountered during informal conflict resolution and make proposals towards relevant actions to be taken.

Personal suitability

• Excellent judgment and demonstrated problem solving, consultative, persuasive and conflict resolution skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills; dependability, reliability, and flexibility.
• Ability to work in a political organization with often competing priorities as well as a commitment to equity principles, union and social justice issues.
• Understanding and commitment to principles of confidentiality.
• Availability to travel as required.

What you need to know:

• Second language level indicated above is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Preferred candidates may have their second language skills assessed as part of the hiring process. However, valid federal government SLE results can be used toward this.
• While we appreciate all the candidates' interest, only those considered in the process will be contacted.
• A full job description is available upon request.

Internal applicants should submit their résumé online through HRMS.

Indeterminate PSAC employees who meet the qualifications of this position can request a transfer in accordance with the relevant collective agreement by submitting an application on or before the closing date. Please upload a cover letter indicating that you are requesting a transfer as well as a resume in your candidate profile (if not previously done) and indicate "Yes" under "Employment Information".

Employment Equity at PSAC is focused on five groups: women, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. If you belong to one or more of these groups, please consider responding to the voluntary employment equity section of the online application.

All individual information collected from this questionnaire will be kept strictly confidential.

In many cases, you may identify in more than one designated group. For example, you may identify yourself as an Indigenous person and a person with a disability and a woman.

False declarations will be taken seriously and may prompt an investigation or further actions, as necessary.

Please contact - to obtain this questionnaire in an alternate format (e.g., large print), should you need more information, or require assistance in completing this questionnaire.

For accommodation needs or to obtain a copy of the documents in alternate format, please email -

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