Essential Services Agreement/Exclusions Officer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, life, and disability保险

Hybrid work arrangements

Pension plan 50/50

Three weeks vacation

Professional development support

Annual recreation allowance

Job summary

Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) in Ottawa, ON invites applications for the Essential Services Agreement/Exclusions Officer. This indeterminate, full-time role requires strong knowledge of labour law/relations, ability to apply complex legislation, and to communicate in English and French.

You will help develop PSAC’s strategy on essential services and exclusions, determine the appropriate negotiation stance, and support bargaining unit amendments and certifications as part of the

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge in labour law or labour relations and ability to research, interpret and apply legislation.
• Extensive knowledge of the arbitration process and advocacy techniques.
• Extensive knowledge of negotiations and ADR methods and applying them to essential services.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement PSAC strategy on essential services and exclusions; determine and enforce positions.
• Support negotiations, bargaining unit amendments or certification applications as needed.

Skills

Bilingual English-French

Written and oral communication

Analytical thinking

Persuasion

Tools

MS Office

Email

Internet

Job description

Vacancy Status: Existing Vacancy Branch: Negotiations and Research Branch (NRB) Employment Type: Indeterminate, Full time 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 Bilingual Bonus Union: UNIFOR 2025 Location: Ottawa, ON Search Area: Internal, Membership, Public Employment Equity Designation: As a result of the PSAC Workforce and Availability Analysis and in accordance with the PSAC Employment Equity Plan, the successful candidate for this appointment will be a qualified person from one of the following groups: Racially Visible

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 Manager of Operations and Regional Negotiations, the Essential Services Agreement/ Exclusions Officer is responsible for the development and implementation of the PSAC’s strategy with respect to essential services and exclusions, and for the determination and enforcement of the PSAC’s position on management exclusions.

Education & Experience

Extensive knowledge in labour law or labour relations and ability to research, interpret and apply many different pieces of legislation and complete familiarity with the processes of various labour tribunals. Extensive knowledge of the arbitration process, techniques of advocacy, such as cross-examination, the rules of evidence and procedure and ability to research, interpret and apply complex jurisprudence. Extensive knowledge of the negotiations process and methods of alternate dispute resolution, such as mediation and conciliation, and ability to apply this knowledge to the negotiation of agreements on essential services and exclusions in concert with the overall collective bargaining strategy.

Skills & Knowledge

Extensive knowledge of organizational structures and ability to assess work descriptions, job functions and classifications in order to assess the legitimacy of employer applications for essential services or management exclusions and to determine the appropriate strategy in concert with negotiations and/or bargaining unit amendments or certification applications. Knowledge of the PSAC structure and policies, the structure and operation of the federal government, crown corporations and other governmental entities, and the structure and policies of the labour movement. Knowledge of computer software used at the PSAC, including MSOffice, e-mail and internet.

Abilities

Ability to communicate orally and in writing in English and French and with the ability to articulate complex legal principles in the formal environment of a quasi-judicial tribunal, and to make such complex principles accessible to all members through written communications to members, and in print and electronic media; Skilled in eliciting detailed information from members and witnesses, including witnesses hostile to the PSAC in preparation for hearings, and ability to explain PSAC strategy and process; Strong powers of persuasion in order to convince employers, adjudicators and other decision-makers of the PSAC’s position in hearings; or in negotiating agreements; Ability to analyze information and to recommend innovative solutions to problems, and to communicate these solutions; Ability to listen to complex evidence and to filter unnecessary information from hours of testimony.

Personal suitability

Demonstrate commitment to union principles and social justice Sound judgment; Tact.

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.

Benefits

• 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.