Human Resources Administrator

Canadian Armed Forces; Petawawa; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks dedicated Human Resources Administrators to provide essential administrative support to military personnel. This role involves managing pay, personnel records, and ensuring members are well-prepared for deployment. Ideal candidates will thrive in a collaborative environment, supporting their peers while gaining valuable experience in a unique and dynamic setting. With opportunities for career advancement and specialized training, this position offers a chance to be part of a close-knit community dedicated to service and excellence. If you are looking for a fulfilling career with varied experiences, this is the role for you.

Qualifications

• No previous work experience required; training provided.
• Completion of Grade 10 education is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide human resources administration and services to military personnel.
• Manage pay, allowances, and personnel records for members.

Skills

Administrative Support

Human Resources Management

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Education

Completion of Grade 10

Job description

Non-Commissioned Member | Full Time, Part Time

In Demand

As a member of the military, Human Resources Administrators provide administrative and general human resources support to all military activities.

The primary duties of a Human Resources Administrator are to provide:

• Human resources administration and services
• Administration of pay and allowances
• Automated pay systems and information management
• Maintenance of personnel records

Work environment

Human Resources Administrators are employed at all Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) bases in Canada, on ships, and overseas, in support of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, or Royal Canadian Air Force operations. They may also serve in special operation units, medical organizations, recruiting offices, schools, reserve units, NATO/UN positions, and other specialized units throughout the CAF.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part-time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

CORPORAL NATALIE FERLAND: I'm Corporal Natalie Ferland from Petitcodiac, New Brunswick, a Human Resources Administrator currently serving at 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron in Petawawa, Ontario.

NARRATOR: Human Resources Administrators – or HRAs for short – handle the administrative paperwork for all Canadian Armed Forces personnel from the day they walk into a recruiting centre, right up to the day that they retire. They work with everyone from new recruits right up to the senior-most Generals, no matter their military occupation.

CORPORAL NATALIE FERLAND: The role of a Human Resources Administrator in the Canadian Armed Forces is to manage members’ PERS files, manage their pay, do terms-of-service contracts, handle promotions, allowances, handling counter service for any inquiries that members have about their PERS file or about their pay – about anything in general, honestly. We get leaned on for support in many facets and we're always ready to help.

NARRATOR: They also prepare members administratively for deployment on overseas taskings or domestic exercises, from dealing with official travel to briefing members on entitlements and benefits, and ensuring that all their personal documents are up-to-date so that there are no issues or concerns while members are away from home. HRAs are an integral part of the CAF, whose administrative support allows other members to focus on their primary tasks.

CORPORAL NATALIE FERLAND: And it is our job to ensure that they are completely supported in any administrative way that they need so that they can do their job properly and not have to worry about getting paid or making sure their PERS file is in order.

NARRATOR: On exercise, they could find themselves in a field office in a tent or on a ship doing their administrative work, or participating in other aspects of the exercise, such as set-up and tear-down, security, and other general duties expected of all CAF members.

CORPORAL NATALIE FERLAND: With the task of being an HRA, a lot of it is sort of behind-the-scenes work, so members don't really see everything that we do for them. But it's not really about that. Being a supporter by trade, you have to be a supporter by nature, and you do get appreciated for everything you do, just like every other trade in the Forces.

NARRATOR: In addition to the support HRAs provide here at home, there are ample opportunities to deploy in support of Canadian Armed Forces operations and exercises both here in Canada and around the world.

CORPORAL NATALIE FERLAND: I'd say the coolest part of this job is the people you meet. The amount of interesting people that come to the counter every day with their varied stories and experiences – it's an experience like no other. It's very unique. And these people do become your family.

NARRATOR: Once they complete their training, HRAs will be posted to one of the many Canadian Armed Forces bases and operational units across Canada. No matter what uniform they are wearing, there are opportunities for employment at every base and Wing, on ships, overseas, or even with the Special Operations Forces.

Building on what they learned on their trade qualification course, new HRAs gradually expand their skillset under the supervision of more senior colleagues.

CORPORAL NATALIE FERLAND: You're definitely not left out in a lurch. You're supported very well. It’s a really close-knit community and we want each other to succeed. So when you get to your unit, you are trained by your teammates in how to apply all of the skills you just learned.

NARRATOR: As their careers develop, Human Resources Administrators may be offered opportunities to develop specialized skills in areas like Recruiting, Release, Deployed Operations, Engineering Support, or Compliance and Verification.

There are also opportunities for HRAs in the Primary Reserve, serving part-time in their local community while going to school or working at a civilian job.

CORPORAL NATALIE FERLAND: I have high hopes for my career. I'm hoping to make this a lifetime career for myself just because of how varied the work is and again, the incredible people. It's an experience like no other. And I'm hoping that I can move up through the ranks and experience different types of units and really make sure I'm the most well-rounded HRA that I can be – and be able to provide the support to my to-be subordinates like I was supported when I came up through the ranks.

No previous work experience or career related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation.

The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec with Grade 10 Applied Math (Math 416 / CST 4 in Quebec) and Grade 10 (Secondary 4) English or French.