Conflict Resolution Advisor

Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC); Ottawa; On-site; CAD 132,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Hybrid work

Pension plan

Vacation and leave allowance

Professional development support

Wellness recreation allowance

Job summary

Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) is seeking a Conflict Resolution Advisor to support the Diversity, Equity and Human Rights Bureau. You will advise leadership, liaise with staff unions, and champion trauma‑informed conflict resolution to foster a respectful workplace.

Applicants should bring extensive mediation experience, strong knowledge of human rights legislation, and a commitment to equity. This role is based in Ottawa, with a fixed end date in December 2027.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of labour relations and organizational psychology, via formal training.
• Advanced mediation/ dispute resolution certification and multi-year mediation experience.
• Experience handling mediation in a unionized environment and applying HR legislation.

Responsibilities

• Advise Director and Management on conflict resolution strategies within PSAC.
• Oversee internal conflict and dispute processes with trauma-informed approach.
• Develop and deliver training on equity, human rights and dispute resolution.

Skills

Labour relations

Conflict resolution

Organizational psychology

Mediation

Equity & human rights

Communication

Negotiation

Research methods

Training

Indigenous models

Education

Advanced certificate in mediation or dispute resolution

Five years’ experience in dispute resolution

Five years’ experience handling mediation processes

Experience with Human Rights Legislation

Job description

Vacancy Status: Existing Vacancy

Branch: Equity, Inclusion and Human Rights Bureau (EIHRB)

Employment Type: Temporary (Fixed Term), Full time

Duration of Term: 12 months/mois

Position Linguistic Designation: Bilingual (English, French)

Position Global Linguistic Level: B2

Classification Level: Band 12

Annual Salary: $131,687.00 - $148,221.00 + $2,002.23

Union: UNIFOR 2025 - Excluded

Location: Ottawa, ON

Search Area: Internal, Membership, Public

Note: This is a term position with a fixed end date of December 2027.

About the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC)

PSAC was created in 1966 and is a union that has proudly represented more than 245,000 workers across Canada and beyond. We stand up for fairness, equity, and better workplaces. We know our strength is in our people. Headquartered in Ottawa with regional offices nationwide, PSAC has led countless successful campaigns for workers’ rights and social justice. We believe in standing together and supporting the people who make our union work every day. For more information about our victories, please visit our website at https://psacunion.ca/

About the role

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 we are looking for

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.
• 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.

Skills & 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 skills as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) will be assessed. Valid federal SLE results may be accepted. A combination of education, experience, and demonstrated performance may substitute for formal academic requirements. PSAC welcomes applications from candidates with diverse and international experience. PSAC does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select candidates. Interviewed candidates will be notified of the hiring decision within 45 days of their final interview. While we appreciate every applicant’s interest, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. A full job description is available on request.

Why work with us

Should you share PSAC's values and commitment, recognize the significance of the labour movement, and advocate for workers' rights, PSAC extends an invitation to join our team and actively contribute to a community dedicated to social justice, fairness, equity, and the well-being of workers. Below, you will find an overview of our comprehensive rewards and benefits package:

• Comprehensive group benefits — 100% employer-paid health, dental, life, and disability insurance, a health care spending account (HCSA), plus up to $7,500 per year for mental health services.
• Flexible work arrangements — with dedicated workstations for hybrid staff.
• Defined and secure pension plan — shared 50/50 between you and us.
• Three (3) weeks' vacation to start, plus extra paid leave for appointments, moving, personal days, sick days, or whatever you need.
• Professional development support to help you grow.
• An annual recreation allowance of $800 because your wellness matters.

Our commitment to employment equity

PSAC is committed to building a workplace that reflects the diversity of our membership and the communities we serve. That’s a workplace that includes women, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We encourage applicants to self-identify in the application process to help us maintain an inclusive workforce. All information provided will be kept confidential. You may identify with more than one group (e.g., as Indigenous, as a person with a disability, and as a woman). False declarations may result in investigation or further action. If you need the application in an alternate format (e.g., large print) or require accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, we're here to help.

Internal candidates: Indeterminate PSAC employees who meet the qualifications may request a transfer under the relevant collective agreement. Active members of PSAC should provide their membership number to be considered at the membership level of the competition.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team. Due to the high volume of applications we have received, we will only be contacting those candidates who have been selected to proceed to the next stage of the hiring process.