Arbitrations & Disputes Representative

Government of Alberta; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 111,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Positive workplace culture

Work-life balance

Job summary

The Government of Alberta is seeking an Arbitrations & Disputes Representative in Edmonton. You will represent the Employer before grievance arbitration boards and labour tribunals, delivering a proactive labour relations program.

The successful candidate will lead arbitration services, provide strategic direction to Employee Relations staff, coordinate case preparation, and maintain client relationships while resolving issues through negotiation or mediation.

Qualifications

• University degree required with 6 years of labour relations experience.
• Experience preparing and presenting labour arbitration cases.
• Knowledge of provincial labour legislation and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of labour arbitrations and disputes services.
• Provide strategic advice to Employee Relations staff.
• Represent employer before arbitration boards and tribunals.
• Coordinate case preparation: interview witnesses, gather evidence, research precedent.
• Maintain strong relationships with AUPE and client departments.
• Resolve issues through negotiation, mediation, or alternate dispute methods.
• Draft position papers and policy responses for senior officials.

Skills

Labour relations

Arbitration experience

Stakeholder management

Education

University degree

Job description

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Job Information
Job Title:Arbitrations & Disputes Representative
Job Requisition ID:88492
Ministry:Public Service Commission
Location:Edmonton
Full or Part-Time:Full Time
Hours of Work:36.25hours per week
Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Permanent
Scope:Open Competition
Closing Date:October 26, 2026
Classification: Senior Manager Zone 1
Salary: $4,267.20 to $5,822.26 bi-weekly ($111,373 - $151,960/year)
The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities.

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Arbitrations and Disputes, the primary accountability for the Arbitration and Disputes Representative is to represent the Government of Alberta (as Employer) before grievance arbitration boards and other labour and employment administrative tribunals as required.

The successful candidate will:

• Lead the delivery of labour and employment relations arbitrations and disputes program and services through a shared service delivery model.
• Provide strategic advice, direction and support to Employee Relations Services staff dealing with disputes in the workplace and at Levels 1 and 2 of the grievance procedures to ensure labour relations issues are resolved as close to the workplace as possible.
• Represent corporate and departmental clients’ interests before quasi-judicial arbitration boards empowered to rule on employee grievances arising from employee discipline and application / administration of the collective agreement that ensures the best case is put forward with respect to the employers’ decisions and practices.
• In preparation of, and as assigned counsel in arbitrations, coordinate case preparation (interview witnesses, gather and analyze evidence, analyze legal precedent research to prepare arguments, etc.) and ensure a positive client department relationship is maintained – even in difficult cases where settlement is best alternative.
• Represent the Public Service Commissioner as the Employer, build and maintain strong relationships in partnership with AUPE.
• Resolve employer / union issues and employee grievances through negotiation, mediation or alternate dispute methods.
• Draft well-researched position papers, policy statements and responses for senior department and government officials that address employee / labour relations issues in a manner sensitive to organizational
• strategy, direction and needs.

The Job Description is provided for further details on this position. (note just for admins - link the word Job Description to the Umbraco Link)

Competencies are behaviors 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.

• Systems Thinking – Ability to effectively gather, synthesize, integrate, and interpret multi-faceted information from a wide range of sources and perspectives.
• Creative Problem Solving – Ability to work within broad HR parameters and challenge the status quo in proposing strategies and programs that will support sustained business solutions.
• Build Collaborative Environments – Superior collaboration, facilitation, consultative, consensus building and conflict management abilities, ensuring two-way communication to resolve complex issues.
• Develop Networks – Possesses and continually builds extensive connections and collaborative working relationships with colleagues, clients and stakeholders, looking for mutually beneficial solutions to support effective, cooperative and streamlined delivery of HR programs/services.
• Develop Self and Others– Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to manage and lead work groups effectively. Contributes to team learning through mentoring and coaching others.

Qualifications

Requirements:

This position requires a university degree with 6 years of experience in labour relations, business administration, and experience preparing and presenting labour arbitration cases in an arbitration, tribunal, or other judicial forum.

Equivalency:
A related area supplemented with a minimum of 6 years’ progressively related experience and expertise as a labour or employee relations professional, coupled with experience preparing and presenting labour arbitration cases in an arbitration, tribunal or other judicial forum.

As the ideal candidate, you are an expert in the labour and employment resolution’s function and have extensive knowledge of related Provincial labour legislation and regulations such as: the Public Service Act, Public Service Employee Relations Act, Public Service Employment Regulation, Public Sector Compensation Transparency Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Collective Agreement and related directives.

• You are highly organized, an excellent communicator, resilient to change, and have well-developed project management and change management skills and experience.
• Leadership experience in human resources is considered an asset.
• Equivalencies will be considered on the basis of: One year of related education for one year of experience, or one year of related experience for one year of education.

To be considered for this competition, you application must include a well-written cover letter and resume. Carefully review the Qualifications section to see the specific requirements for the cover letter and resume that are unique to this role.
This is a full-time permanent position working 7.25 hours per day / 36.25 hours per week, Monday through Friday.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies at the same or lower levels across the Government of Alberta.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC).

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.

Use for open competitions only - Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.
We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.
If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Cindy Zaiffdeen at [e-mail] .