Ambulance Victoria Position Description Position Title: Employee Relations Specialist Reports To: Manager, Employee Relations Division: People & Community Department: Employee Relations Direct Reports: Nil Employment Conditions: Either Metropolitan Ambulance Service and Health Services Union (Management and Administrative Staff) Collective Agreement 2006 OR Rural Ambulance Victoria and Health Services Union (Management and Administrative Staff) Collective Agreement 2006 (depending on location) Primary Objective: The position is responsible for planning and implementing employee relations initiatives relating to enterprise bargaining, dispute resolution and change management programs. The incumbent will take a lead role in the provision of advice and support to the AV Executive and managers regarding the prevention and resolution of disputes and grievances, union consultation, performance management processes and termination of employment. The incumbent is also responsible for ensuring effective communication and consultation between managers, employees and their representative union to foster a progressive employee relations culture. Responsibility for Quality: To take responsibility for improving quality processes using continuous improvement philosophies and practices, thereby increasing value to the customers and the organisation Behaviours Achievement Self-Actualising Humanistic-Encouraging Affiliative Achieves self set goals Believes that individual effort is important Receptive to change Encourages growth and development in others Cooperative Creative problem solver Resolves conflicts constructively Friendly Accepts and shares responsibility Non-defensive Trustworthy Genuine in concern for others Takes on challenging tasks Self respecting Involves others in decision making Accepts change Insightful in diagnosing problems Motivates by serving as a role model Page 1 of 6
Position Scope Budget: Nil Financial Delegation: Nil Occupational Health & Safety Understand, observe and adhere to all safe working procedures and maintain safe work practices Equal Employment Opportunity Understand, support and adhere to the principles covered in the AV Workplace Respect Policy Key Contacts Internal CEO, Executive, Managers and Employees External LHMU - Ambulance Section, Health Services Union, Government Departments, Legal Advisors, Consultants, Emergency and Health Services Organisations, Fair Work Australia Representatives, Department of Health, APESMA Ambulance Managers and Professionals Association, Australian Medical Association, Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association Page 2 of 6
Key Accountabilities Key result area Dispute & Grievance Resolution Strategy & Risk Management Communications, Networking, Negotiation, Service Delivery & Advice Research, Analysis, Projects & Reporting Key Accountabilities Support managers in the prevention and resolution of industrial disputes and grievances; devise dispute resolution strategies, lead negotiations with unions and represent AV before Fair Work Australia and in other relevant forums Monitor organisational change processes and ensure appropriate communication and consultation with employees and their representative unions to mitigate the risk of industrial disputation and ensure that organisational priorities are met Prepare comprehensive documentation relating to employee relation issues, including Board Reports, Business Cases, Briefing Notes, Bulletins, letters and memos to ensure the appropriate parties are kept informed of relevant issues and/or appropriate recommendations are made Identify and report on emerging employee relations issues from the Consultative Committees and devise strategies to prevent, minimise or resolve disputes and ensure that organisational priorities are met Monitor the effectiveness of the Consultative Committees and implement changes to foster a more progressive employee relations culture at the local level Take a lead role in the provision of advice and support to the Executive and managers regarding the prevention and resolution of disputes and grievances, union consultation, performance management processes and termination of employment, to ensure organisational compliance with relevant legislation, industrial instruments, organisational and Government policy Liaise with legal advisors and specialists regarding specific industrial relations issues, including the preparation of internal research findings and drafting of instructions, to ensure that the interests of the organisation are protected Ensure effective communication and consultation on relevant issues between managers, employees and their representative union on local management and industrial issues at Consultative Committees Contribute to the formulation of enterprise bargaining strategy, support the negotiation process and lead negotiations on behalf of the organisation Represent the Employee Relations Department at meetings with external stakeholders, including the Department of Health, and other Government Departments and Agencies, Health and Emergency Services organisations regarding employee relations matters Provide support and advice to HR Partners where they take a lead role in resolving local conflict (Stage 1 grievances and first counselling meetings) Research and investigate queries from managers, employees and unions relating to employee relations issues and formulate strategies to address potential breaches of industrial instruments or statutory entitlements and prevent industrial disputation Undertake project and portfolio responsibilities to drive improved organisational performance from an Employee Relations perspective Page 3 of 6
Key Accountabilities Key result area Policies, Procedures & Educational Development Key Accountabilities Develop and implement polices and procedures to support the effective management of employee relations issues in accordance with organisational and statutory requirements, including communication and consultation with internal and external stakeholders Educate AV managers in the appropriate policies and procedures for handling disputes and grievances, union consultation, performance management and termination of employment issues Page 4 of 6
Selection Criteria Qualifications and experience Tertiary qualification in Industrial Relations, Human Resources, or equivalent work experience Experience in dealing with complex and sensitive employee relations issues in a public sector organisation Experience as an industrial relations advocate before Fair Work Australia and proven ability to negotiate on complex industrial relations matters Direct involvement in representing an organisation to negotiate a collective workplace agreement, ideally in the public sector environment Understanding of the current Industrial Relations framework Experience in providing strategic industrial relations advice Current Victorian Drivers License Key attributes Strong verbal and written communication skills to enable ideas and opinions to be expressed clearly and effectively, constructively advocate and debate issues, and prepare well-structured, accurate and concise documents and reports Interpersonal, influencing, negotiation and coaching skills to gain acceptance and support of ideas, resolve conflict, provide constructive feedback and guidance to assist others, and the ability to modify style to accommodate situations, tasks and individuals Relationship building skills to take appropriate action to develop strong and collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders Team skills to actively participate as a member of a team and move the team towards the completion of both team and individual goals Planning and organising skills to effectively establish the priority and scheduling of work tasks and projects to ensure work priorities are completed on time and within budget Well developed research, conceptual, analytical and problem solving skills to enable the identification of issues and the judgement to determine appropriate courses of action for achieving long-range organisational goals Strong customer service orientation to take responsibility for understanding client needs and ensuring these are met, including the ability to translate, challenge and manage customer requests Attention to detail using appropriate checking processes to ensure information is recorded accurately Capacity to make sound decisions under pressure High level of integrity to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and maintain confidentiality around sensitive issues Initiative to identify and ensure that appropriate courses of action are taken to achieve goals Page 5 of 6
Key attributes cont. Willingness to travel throughout Metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victoria on a regular basis Approval Manager Employee Relations General Manager People & Community Page 6 of 6