Education Labour Relations Advisor

Effective April 1, 2024 the salary range for this position is $76,231 to $109,842 per year. The new rates, effective retroactive to April 1, 2024, were recently confirmed and dates for implementation of the new salary rates are still to be determined.

Do you want to do important work at a large Ministry with leaders who are invested in your personal and professional development? The Education Labour and Finance Division of the Ministry of Education is hiring Education Labour Relations Advisors. This role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the central collective bargaining and labour relations of the Education sector as part of a high-performing team.

The Labour Relations Operations Branches work closely with other divisions to facilitate the implementation of strategies and programs aimed at improving student achievement and well-being, collaborate with Trustees Associations to bargain and maintain the central agreements with Teachers and Education Workers, and strives to maintain and improve relationships with union and association leaders. The wider division is also responsible for providing strategic financial advice and funding frameworks that facilitate the ministry's student achievement goals and uphold public confidence in the publicly funded education system.

The diverse work performed in our branches benefits from the extensive range of skills and experience within our team. We welcome applications from individuals with education sector experience, strong financial literacy, and/or project management skills who want to expand their professional horizons. While French Bilingualism is not a requirement, bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply and will have the opportunity to use their language skills.

ABOUT US:

The Labour Relations Operations Branches (unilingual and bilingual) within the Education Labour and Finance Division provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the development and implementation of provincial policy and legislation with respect to the negotiation of school board collective agreements, and a coordinated strategic approach to collective bargaining in the education sector throughout Ontario. Those Branches provide strategic expertise and leadership in order to represent and be accountable for the government's interests in the planning, facilitation, negotiation and implementation of collective agreements between school boards and their unions and associations.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this role you will:

• Participate as a representative of the Crown in the implementation of sector-wide central collective agreements and contract maintenance, including grievances

• Represent the Ministry in matters relating to education sector labour/employee relations

• Provide guidance and direction to the Ministry, the government and school boards in their labour/employee relations activities

• Develop and maintain critical relationships with school boards, unions and other stakeholders

How do I qualify?

Labour Relations Knowledge:

• You have demonstrated knowledge and experience in union/management relations.
• You have knowledge of authority of labour relations jurisprudence and current issues and trends in jurisprudence that may have an impact on collective bargaining and labour relations in the education sector.
•You have an understanding of labour case law, relevant statutes, current policies, practices and procedures.

Technical Expertise:

• You have the ability to acquire and apply knowledge of the education sector including the unique characteristics of the four Ontario school systems for the development of bargaining strategies and approaches.
• You have the ability to acquire and apply knowledge of the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, the Education Act, the Ontario College Of Teachers' Act, the Ontario Labour Relations Act, the Human Rights Code, employment equity, pay equity, and other related statutes as they relate to labour relations matters.

Communication, Interpersonal and Relationship Building Skills:

• You have demonstrated communication skills to represent the government when working with stakeholders and preparing materials.
• You have relationship building skills to develop and nurture effective partnerships and working relationships with a broad spectrum of stakeholder groups.
• You have excellent written communication to prepare mandate proposals, briefing /issue notes and correspondence on behalf of the Assistant Deputy Minister, Deputy Minister and Minister's Office.

Planning and Organizational Skills:

• You have excellent organizational and project coordination skills.
• You have an ability to research and analyse issues in order to formulate appropriate recommendations.
• You have excellent judgement to represent the government and provide advice to senior management.
• You have proven strategic ability to translate bargaining proposals into operational and financial impacts on the short and long outcomes.