HR & Labour Relations Specialist

KidsAbility Centre for Child Development; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 72,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health and dental benefits

Optional group RRSP

Disability income protection

Generous vacation entitlements

Paid personal leave

Job summary

KidsAbility Centre for Child Development is seeking a Human Resources & Labour Relations Specialist to support daily HR and labour relations functions in a unionized setting. You will coach managers and staff, interpret the Collective Agreement, and manage recruitment and employee lifecycle processes across multiple sites in Waterloo.

The role requires 3–5 years of HR and labour relations experience, a post-secondary HR degree, and knowledge of HR legislation including Human Rights Code and

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Human Resources, Labour Relations, or similar field.
• 3–5 years of experience supporting labour relations, grievance processes, union communication participation.
• 3–5 years of progressive human resources experience in a unionized environment.
• Solid understanding of Human Rights Code, Employment Standards, AODA, and related HR laws.

Responsibilities

• Provide coaching and guidance to managers and employees on employee and labour relations matters.
• Interpret and administer the Collective Agreement, policies, and employment legislation.
• Assist with grievance management, investigations, and bargaining preparations.
• Coordinate full-cycle recruitment for employees, volunteers, and students.
• Lead onboarding, leaves, accommodations, attendance management, and offboarding.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation and support health and safety initiatives.

Skills

Labour relations

Coaching managers & employees

Policy interpretation

Grievance management

Recruitment coordination

Lifecycle processes

Health & safety compliance

Education

Post-secondary degree/diploma in Human Resources or related field

Tools

HRIS software

MS Office (Word/Excel)

Data analysis tools

Job description

Salary Range: $71,744.42 To $87,307.83 Annually

Posting Date: November 4, 2026

Closing Date : November 12, 2026

Status: Vacancy

Human Resources and Labour Relations Specialist

Permanent, Full-time (37.5 hrs/wk) | Start Date: ASAP | Location: Waterloo (Other sites as needed)

Why Join KidsAbility?

Every year, more than 22,000 children and youth access services across KidsAbility programs to support their growth, development, and well-being. Through innovative, family-centred services, we help children and families navigate challenges, celebrate successes, and achieve meaningful goals. As a non-profit organization serving the Waterloo and Guelph-Wellington regions, we believe that when we work together with compassion, expertise, and purpose, we can make a lasting impact. Join us in helping children, youth, and families discover a future of possibilities.

The impact we make starts with our people. That's why we foster a supportive and purpose-driven workplace where employees can grow, contribute, and thrive. We offer:

• Ongoing professional development, leadership growth, and learning opportunities
• A collaborative and inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and teamwork
• Opportunities to contribute to innovation, research, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Programs that support employee well-being, connection, and work-life balance
• A comprehensive total rewards package, including extended health and dental benefits, an optional group RRSP, disability income protection, generous vacation entitlements, and paid personal leave

The Opportunity:

The Human Resources & Labour Relations Specialist (HR & LR Specialist) is responsible for administering and supporting daily human resources and labour relations functions at KidsAbility. This role provides coaching, guidance, and interpretation related to human resources practices, employment legislation, and the Collective Agreement within a unionized environment.

Your Impact:

As the HR & LR Specialist, you will:

• Provide coaching, guidance, and support to managers and employees on employee and labour relations matters.
• Support the interpretation and administration of the Collective Agreement, organizational policies, and employment legislation.
• Assist with grievance management, workplace investigations, labour-management meetings, and collective bargaining preparations.
• Coordinate full-cycle recruitment activities for employees, volunteers, and students.
• Lead and support employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, leaves, accommodations, attendance management, and offboarding.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation and support workplace health and safety initiatives.
• Contribute to HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance employee experience, organizational effectiveness, and labour relations practices.

Your Experience and Expertise:

To be successful in this role, you will have a post secondary degree or diploma in Human Resources, Labour Relations, or similar field, along with:

• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience supporting labour relations, grievance processes, union communication participation.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of progressive human resources experience in a unionized environment.
• Solid understanding of Human Rights Code legislation (including special programs, accommodation, competing rights), Employment Standards, AODA, employment related law, human resources management and bias-free hiring and promotion principles and practices.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Collaboration skills to be able to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to use word processing, data processing, management and analysis software, e-mail and web-based software.

The following qualifications would be considered assets:

• CHRP designation or working towards CHRP designation is an asset.

Valid Ontario Driver's Licence and access to a reliable vehicle to support work across multiple sites is required.

KidsAbility strives to create an accessible and inclusive application and selection process and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants who may require provisions to participate in the selection process. Should any applicant require accommodation please contact Human Resources in advance for assistance.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are the core values of KidsAbility. We are a diverse workforce with wide perspectives and creative ideas that benefit our clients and the community. It is the policy of KidsAbility to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment. We welcome applications from visible minority groups, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information or any other ground protected by applicable law.

Please note that all prospective KidsAbility employees are subject to mandatory immunization requirements, including the full and ongoing COVID-19 vaccination, as a condition of obtaining and maintaining employment. We will make accommodations as directed by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the Chief Medical Officer of Health.