ER Consultant

Role Responsibilities

Are you looking to be part of a strong, collaborative Human Resources team—one that champions diversity, inclusion, career development, and continuous learning? Does working across multiple service centres and gaining exposure to a wide range of business lines appeal to you? If so, the Employee Relations Consultant (ERC) role with the Government of Alberta (GoA) may be the opportunity you're looking for.

As an ERC, you will collaborate with specialists in Disability Management, Workforce Restoration, Labour Relations, Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness, and a dedicated team of HR Business Partners. Together, you will support managers in fostering engaging, respectful, and inclusive workplaces.

You will be part of a specialized team within an HR Portfolio, supporting a set group of clients across specific departments. Reporting to a Team Lead or Manager—and working closely with HR Business Partners—you will play a key role in guiding leaders through a variety of employee relations matters.

In this role, you will:
•    Develop a strong understanding of your clients’ business operations, workplace cultures, and the GoA’s HR governance frameworks.
•    Provide strategic advice and coaching on complex and sensitive employee relations issues, including collective agreement interpretation, performance management, workplace behaviour, and conduct concerns.

To excel in this position, you bring:
•    Strong relationship-building, networking, and collaboration skills across diverse teams and stakeholders.
•    Experience coordinating dispute resolution processes—such as grievance management—in a unionized environment with managers, employees, and union representatives.
•    The ability to assess complex problems, think critically, and recommend pragmatic, outcome-focused solutions.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviours that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:  https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Drive for Results:  The role requires a strong sense of accountability for outcomes, including determining the most efficient and effective approaches for achieving desired results and advancing organizational objectives.

Develop Self and Others:  As a technical expert, the role fosters an environment that supports continuous learning and knowledge sharing. A commitment to personal development and the development of others is essential to sustaining long term program excellence and organizational capability.

Systems Thinking:  The role applies systems thinking to design and enhance processes that meet both the immediate and long term needs of the GoA as an employer. This includes developing innovative, sustainable solutions that align with the broader talent management framework. The role requires balancing departmental and enterprise-wide needs, assessing impacts such as cost sustainability, and collaborating with union partners to ensure success in joint employer–union committees.

Creative Problem Solving:  The role must provide innovative advice and solutions while leading and supporting projects related to the development, review, and maintenance of policy within the Alberta Public Service. Staying informed of best practices, questioning existing approaches, and identifying opportunities for improvement are essential to ensuring policy effectiveness and continuous enhancement.

Agility:  The role must demonstrate proactive leadership by anticipating and responding quickly to shifting priorities and organizational needs. This includes conducting research, developing recommendations for policies, strategies, and frameworks, and adapting to emerging opportunities that support organizational success in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements for this role are:
University graduation in a related field (Human Resources, Business, Industrial Relations, or a related field) plus two years of related experience; or a related two-year diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution and four years related experience; or a related one-year certificate from a recognized post-secondary institution and five years related experience.

Experience
•    Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying human resource legislation, including employment standards, human rights legislation, and labour relations codes.
•    Experience interpreting and applying collective agreements.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
•    Strong working knowledge of legislation governing HR practices (employment standards, human rights, labour relations, and collective bargaining frameworks).
•    Ability to interpret and apply collective agreements to support consistent, equitable decision-making.
•    Ability to exercise sound judgment when handling confidential, sensitive, or politically impactful information.
•    Ability to identify when issues require escalation or consultation with internal specialists or senior leadership.

Assets
•    Experience managing grievances, including preparation for arbitration.
•    Experience advising leaders on appropriate disciplinary outcomes and preparing supporting documentation.
•    Experience working in highly sensitive environments requiring confidentiality, discretion, and stakeholder awareness.
•    Experience in complex workplace investigations.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Hours of Work: 
7.25 hours per day/36.25 hours per week - Monday to Friday, 8:15 am to 4:30 pm.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.

•    Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
•    Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.