WESTERN AUSTRALIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION POSITION DESCRIPTION Position Title: Senior Employee Relations Advisor Reports to: Employee Relations Services Manager Unit: Governance and Organisational Services Date Reviewed: 12 July 2016
1 POSITION OBJECTIVES 1.1 Objectives of Position: As part of the WALGA Employee Relations team, provide an effective and professional Employee Relations Advisory service to clients, with a particular emphasis on the enhancement of clients employee management skills. Assist Employee Relations Advisors to manage and complete their workload. Provide consultancy services to clients particularly in the areas of enterprise agreements. Be the point of contact to discuss strategy and provide guidance on industrial matters or enterprise agreement negotiations. 1.2 Within Unit: To participate in and contribute to the Governance and Organisational Services team, ensure Unit objectives and performance standards are met, meet the needs of our customers and to work co-operatively with other WALGA team members. 1.3 Within Organisation: Provide a professional Employee Relations service to meet the needs of Employee Relations Service clients, and to work cooperatively with other team members. 2. REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB 2.1 Skills Excellent customer service skills Very good written communication skills. Very good advocacy and negotiation skills. High level interpersonal skills. Very good time management skills. Proven ability to coordinate and oversee workload in a diverse team environment with multiple priorities High level, professional written communication skills, particularly in the areas of report writing, policy and discussion paper preparation. Proven ability to communicate effectively in situations requiring assertiveness, persuasiveness and tact 2.2 Knowledge Very good understanding of Industrial Awards and their application, in particular the modernised Federal Awards affecting Local Government. Good understanding of State and Equal Opportunity Commissions and their operations Very good understanding of the Fair Work Act (2009) and WA Industrial Relations Act (1979) Good understanding of contemporary Human Resource Management practices. Good working knowledge of the principles of training and development methods and practices. Sound understanding of the Local Government Industry Award (2010) (desirable) Some knowledge of the role of Local Government (desirable) 2
2.3 Experience Experience in guiding or mentoring members of a team to provide Employee Relations services or advice. Demonstrated experience working within the industrial relations systems, including experience in the advocacy and negotiation of matters in relevant jurisdictions. Demonstrated experience in Human Resource Management or an understanding or contemporary Human Resource practices. Experience in Local Government (desirable) Experience delivering training relating to Human Resources and Employee Relations professionals. (desirable) 2.4 Qualification and/or Training Tertiary qualifications in industrial relations or a related field is essential. 3 KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES 3.1 Outcome Unit Workload Management In consultation with Employee Relations Service Manager, coordinate and delegate incoming work to ensure that sound outcomes are met in a timely manner Assist Employee Relations Advisors with their workload in line with the relevant system, process or practice. Assist to improve and enhance work process and procedure to ensure the unit is supported to perform a high volume of work. Be the initial point of contact to discuss strategy and provide guidance on industrial matters or enterprise agreement negotiations. Act as Employee Relations Service Manager during leave absences. 3.2 Outcome Stakeholder and Sector Relations Ensure harmonious relationships with all internal and external customers are developed and maintained. Ensure customer service is professional and confidential. Ensure initiative is used to manage existing or potential customer needs. Ensure new service opportunities are identified and developed in conjunction with the Employee Relations Service Manager. Be actively engaged on Local Government employment issues for the sector. 3
3.3 Outcome - Employee Relations Be the lead contact on industrial matters and enterprise agreements. Provide guidance and assistance on daily operational queries to Employee Relations Advisors. Be the technical expert and be able to provide advice on complicated issues and cases. Assist with the standardisation of advices on significant issues. Provide a support service (i.e, helpdesk) to clients on Employee Relations matters. Undertake enterprise agreement negotiations for clients. Represent clients in matters within relevant Industrial Tribunals (including applications for Unfair Dismissal, Equal Opportunity and General Protections) Decisions of the Industrial Tribunals are monitored and shared with other team members, and with clients where appropriate. Knowledge of current Human Resources and Employee Relations issues is maintained and clients kept informed Deliver training to the sector on Human Resources and Employee Relations topics as required. 3.4 Outcome - Human Resources Management Employee Relations policies and practices are developed and are accessible via the WALGA internet site. Research is conducted on Employee Relations issues and knowledge is shared with the unit and the sector through different mediums. Assist with and present on Human Resources and Employee Relations issues at networking forums. Undertake Employee Relations or Human Resources projects for clients. Evaluate position descriptions for clients as required in line with unit approach. Assist with organising and provide input into team Seminars and events. Be the lead on recurring and anticipated sector projects. 4 ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: 4.1 Responsible to: Employee Relations Service Manager 4.3 Internal: Executive Manager Governance and Organisational Services Governance and Organisational Services Team members 4.4 External Local Government subscribers Local Government sector Local Government Association of the Northern Territory staff and members Local Government Insurance Services Fair Work Commission staff Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission staff Employee Associations operating in Local Government within Western Australia and the Northern Territory Professional Management bodies, including CCI (WA), LGMA. 4
5 EXTENT OF AUTHORITY This position operates within the limits of WALGA policy and relevant legislative constraints. This position may exert influence in the following areas: Business opportunities in the Employee Relations unit in conjunction with the Employee Relations Service Manager. Policy development. All positions require some degree of problem solving, creativity and judgement in order to fulfil the objectives and requirements of the position. This position: Undertakes problem solving through consultation, research and assists with the development of innovative solutions. Requires the occupant to provide service in instances where persuasion and the capability to change an opinion or resolve a situation is necessary. This position may make recommendations to the Employee Relations Service Manager on: Systems, processes and practices to assist Employee Relations Advisors to manage their workload. New business opportunities. Changes to Employee Relations policies and practices; Present Occupant: Nil Date Appointed: Prepared by: Scott Roffey Date Issued: 16 June 2016 Executive Manager: Tony Brown Reviewed Date: 12 July 2016 Employee Manager Date Date 5