Specialists in Human Resources (NOC 1121)
Description
Specialists in human resources develop, implement and evaluate human resources and labour relations policies, programs and procedures and advise managers and employers on personnel matters. Specialists in human resources are employed throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.
Return to top
Example Titles
- business agent, labour organization
- classification officer
- classification specialist
- compensation research analyst
- conciliator
- consultant, human resources
- employee relations officer
- employment equity officer
- human resources research officer
- job analyst
- labour relations officer
- mediator
- union representative
- wage and benefits analyst
>> View all titles
Return to top
Classified Elsewhere
- Human Resources Managers (0112)
- Personnel and Recruitment Officers (1223)
- Personnel Clerks (1442)
- Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management (1122)
- Training officers and instructors (in 4131 College and Other Vocational Instructors)
Return to top
Duties
Specialists in human resources perform some or all of the following duties:
- Plan, develop, implement and evaluate personnel and labour relations strategies including policies, programs and proedures to address an organization's human resource requirements
- Advise managers and employees on the interpretation of personnel policies, compensation and benefit programs and collective agreements
- Coach, mentor and train managers and employees on various human resources issues
- Manage or coordinate the recruitment and selection process including behaviour based interviewing and establishing appropriate salary offers
- Provide employees with developmental coaching related to interview results
- Negotiate collective agreements on behalf of employers or workers, mediate labour disputes and grievances and provide advice on employee and labour relations
- Develop and implement corporate or company retention strategies
- Research and prepare occupational classifications, job descriptions, salary scales and competency appraisal measures and systems
- Plan and administer staffing, total compensation, training and career development, employee assistance, employment equity and affirmative actions programs
- Develop and implement employee orientation sessions
- Manage programs and maintain human resources information and related records systems
- Co-ordinate employee performance and appraisal programs
- Research employee benefit packages and health and safety practices and recommend changes or modifications to existing policies.
Return to top
Skills
Specialists in human resources need the following skills and abilities:
- enjoy working with people
- patience, tact, diplomacy and ability to deal with people who are stressed or upset
- respect for persons of different cultures
- integrity and good judgement
- understanding of employment law
- ability to cope with difficult situations, such as telling employees that they are being laid off
- leadership ability
- verbal and written communication skills including active listening skills
- ability to communicate complex and highly sensitive information
- ability to question effectively and tactfully
- organizational and time management skills
- ability to gather facts and statistics, make financial calculations
- ability to understand a variety of viewpoints
- ability to use computerized databases, spreadsheets, as well as word-processing and accounting
- software ability to develop and implement plans, policies and procedures
- adhere to the strictest standards of confidentiality
- conflict resolution, negotiation and problem-solving skills
- ability to earn the trust and cooperation of managers, unions and employees
- ability to work alone or as part of a team.
Return to top
Employment Requirements
- A university degree or college diploma in business administration, labour/industrial relations, commerce or psychology is usually required.
- Some specialists may need a law degree.
- Some employers may require completion of a professional development program in personnel administration (Certified Human Resources Professional CHRP).
- Some employers may require experience in administrative positions such as payroll or benefits.
Return to top
Terms & Conditions
Specialists in human resources usually work in an office environment during regular business hours. Many put in longer hours. Conciliators and mediators often work away from their home office base in any available meeting facility and may experience stress during negotiations. Some specialists travel extensively to attend professional meetings, to interview prospective employees or to deal with human resource issues in branch offices.
Specialists in human resources commonly work full-time (94%). Almost all are paid employees.
Return to top
Earnings
$42,700 per annum - starting
$58,300 per annum - average
$85,300 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
Return to top
Education / Training
- The University of Manitoba offers a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Human Resource Management (4 years).
- Collège universitaire de Saint Boniface offers a Baccalauréat en administration des affaires with a Gestion des ressources humaines et relations industrielles.
- Patal Vocational Preparation Schools Ltd., a private vocational institution, offers a Human Resource Facilitator certificate program.
- The Continuing Education Divisions of the following institutions offer a certificate program in Human Resources Management - University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, Assiniboine Community College, Red River College.
- University of Winnipeg - Division of Continuing Education http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/dce-index
- The University of Winnipeg offers a Bachelor of Arts program in Conflict Resolution Studies (3 or 4 years).
- Canadian Mennonite University offers a Bachelor of Arts program in Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies.
- Some high schools in Manitoba offer a program in Business Education.
Return to top
Career Paths
Some human resource specialists start in clerical positions preparing payrolls or administering benefits programs. To advance to human resource specialist positions, usually university education is required. Individuals may specialize in recruitment, union/management relations (contract negotiation, resolution of grievances), staff development (training and careers), or compensation (pay and benefits).
Progression to management positions is possible with experience.
Return to top
Outlook
Employment prospects for specialists in human resources expected to be good in the period 2010 to 2014. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 1,645.
As these specialists deal with aspects of recruitment, retention and termination, there is a need for their services regardless of the state of the economy. Employers are becoming more concerned with occupational health and safety, equity, diversity, work life balance. Human resource specialists help managers and staff deal with these and other staff relations issues. In the context of an aging work force, there is an increased emphasis on human resource planning. There is a continuing demand for mediators and conciliators to resolve labour relations matters.
Specialists in human resources are employed in all industries. The largest concentration is in Public Administration (32%), followd by Finance and Insurance (14%) Other Services (except Public Administration) (12%) and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (11%). These jobs are located throughout the province, but compared with the total labour force, there is a larger proportion in Winnipeg.
Return to top
Employment by Age Group
Return to top
Employment by Industry
Return to top
Employment by Region
Return to top
Employment by Gender
Return to top
Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
Return to top
Employment by Visible Minority
Return to top
Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
Return to top
Other Related Information...
Return to top
