Human Resources Specialist - TFT

Department and Commission: People Services, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer Employment Type: Temporary Full Time Affiliation: Non-Union Vacancy Type: New vacancy Posting Date: August 14, 2026 Application Deadline: August 31, 2026 ABOUT THE CITY OF MARKHAM The City of Markham is consistently ranked among Canada’s top municipal employers. In 2026, the City received its sixth consecutive Canada’s Best Employers recognition from Forbes and Statista Inc., placing third among municipalities and 15th overall in Government Services. An award-winning municipality, Markham is recognized for its leadership in sustainability, innovative urban planning, and strong fiscal management. Serving a diverse and growing community of more than 370,000 residents, Markham combines rich heritage with a vibrant local economy and offers employees the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, impactful work that helps strengthen the community we serve. Join us and make a lasting difference! Applications are now being accepted for the above temporary full time position (2 year contract) in the People Services Department within the Office of the CAO. To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume on-line at www.markham.ca/careers [http://www.markham.ca/careers%20by%20August%2031]August 31, 2026. JOB SUMMARY Reporting to the Sr. Manager, Employee & Labour Relations and Health & Safety and working closely with the Human Resources Business Partners, the Human Resources Specialist will provide value added and proactive advisory and consultative services, using a client service mindset, on the full range of human resources practices to the managers within their assigned portfolio. Key Duties and Responsibilities The Human Resources Specialist will be responsible for building strong rapport with client groups by establishing a trustworthy and credible working relationship, acting as a trusted advisor on a variety of complex HR matters, completing projects through the following: Labour and Employee Relations * Provides advice and support ensuring consistent application in the interpretation and administration of the relevant Collective Agreements, legislation, past practice and corporate policies and procedures * Investigates issues, collect and analyze evidence, interview witnesses and assess information to draft written investigative reports that include findings for and recommendations to management * Administers the Attendance Management, sick leave, and long term disability management processes * Addresses and administers Grievance processes representing the City’s interests, facilitates negotiations with the Union and drafts settlements as appropriate * Prepares background materials for and participates in Mediation and Arbitration * Supports Collective Bargaining processes Compensation and Job Evaluation * Provides advice and guidance about the job evaluation and promotional processes * Interprets relevant compensation and benefits policies and practices * Facilitates the job evaluation process working with the manager to provide all relevant information and supporting documentation to the Job Evaluation Committee * Responds to various requests for HR related information related to assigned Client Group * Meets with employees who are off-boarding and/or going on leaves to explain their entitlements * Prepares LTD packages, communicate with employees and supervisors, gather appropriate information, and prepare and submit LTD packages to benefits carrier. * Acts as main contact on all LTD in client group between the carrier, manager and employee * On-boarding of new employees at the supervisor and manager level Talent Management * Leads full cycle recruitment * Sources candidates strategically through identification of effective, innovative and proactive methodologies and fostering relationships with employment partners, networks and educational institutions to attract a strong, diverse range of candidates * Ensures a fair, open and transparent process in accordance with corporate, collective agreement and legislative requirements * Supports managers in successfully on-boarding new or transferring employees to their new roles * Responsible for collecting yearly recruitment metrics, analyzing results and developing and implementing strategies accordingly. * Utilizes data to address trends in attraction and retention and provides advice to managers on same Training * Supports managers by facilitating and training on labour and employee relations, policies, procedures and changes to the collective agreements * Provides training with regard to attraction, retention, performance management and talent acquisition * Working with the Centres of Excellence, HRBPs and performance managers, identify and support change management initiatives, * Other duties as assigned QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS * University degree related to human resources, industrial relations or business administration and/or the CHRL designation or equivalent * Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience as a HR Generalist * Proven track record of successful human resource client partnering experience * Strong demonstrated expertise and experience in recruitment, staffing and talent management labour relations; employee relations; compensation and benefits * Experience working effectively in a unionized environment * Strong understanding of relevant employment legislation * Demonstrated consultative and relationship orientation * Highly effective verbal and written communication skills, marketing and influencing skills, time and project management skills, and analytical abilities * Experience in implementing and supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging CORE BEHAVIOURS Service Excellence: Meets or exceeds service standards when interacting with customers in the community and in the organization. Change & Innovation: Responds positively and professionally to change and helps others through change. Teamwork & Relationship Building: Interacts with others in an inclusive, collaborative and respectful way that creates effective working relationships. Communication: Communicates in a clear, professional and respectful way; demonstrates active listening. Accountable & Results Oriented: Demonstrates ethical behaviour and accountability, aligns with City values, and abides by relevant policies and legislation. Management & Leadership: Demonstrates self-management, professionalism and engagement; leads by example. CORE VALUES At the City of Markham, our work is guided by a shared set of core values that shape how we serve our community and support one another. Service Excellence: the consistent delivery of high-quality efficient and customer-centric service that exceeds expectations. Accountability: our obligation to be responsible and accountable for our actions, decisions and performance. People-Focused: putting people first. Trust: the confidence we place in each other to act with integrity and fairness. Innovation: Investing in each other and the way we deliver our programs and services. We are looking for candidates who bring these values to life through their actions, decisions, and leadership approach. WORKING CONDITIONS Work is performed primarily in an office environment and may include the following working conditions: * May be opportunities for hybrid work arrangement CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Satisfactory completion of a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check, in a form acceptable to and approved by the City. AI DISCLOSURE At the City of Markham, we value transparency and fairness in recruitment. While our system (ADP Workforce Now) includes AI-powered features, we do not use AI to screen, assess, or select applicants. All evaluations are conducted by people. The City of Markham is committed to inclusive, accessible and barrier free employment practices and to creating a workplace that reflects and supports the diversity of the community we serve. Please let us know if you require accommodation and we will work with you to ensure a barrier free hiring process. Please respect our scent free area by not wearing scented products when visiting the office.

The Human Resources Specialist provides proactive advisory services on HR practices, including labour relations, recruitment, and compensation. They act as a trusted advisor to managers, facilitating grievance processes, job evaluations, and talent management initiatives.

Candidates must possess a university degree in human resources, industrial relations, or business administration, and/or a CHRL designation. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience as an HR Generalist in a unionized environment is required.

• Project managementPreferred

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Labour Relations
• Employee Relations
• Recruitment
• Talent Management
• Job Evaluation
• Compensation
• Benefits Administration
• Conflict Resolution
• Change Management
• Performance Management
• Employment Legislation
• Project Management
• Analytical Skills
• Communication Skills
• Influencing Skills
• Diversity And Inclusion
• Full-Cycle Recruitment
• Recruitment Metrics
• Talent Acquisition
• Professionalism
• Accountability
• Fiscal Management
• ADP Workforce Now
• Talent Sourcing
• Ethical Standards And Conduct
• Service Standards
• Active Listening
• Artificial Intelligence
• Arbitration
• Business Administration
• Management
• Urban Planning
• Customer Service
• Collective Bargaining
• Communication
• Disability Management
• Economics
• Industrial Relations
• Employment Protection Legislation
• Leadership
• Marketing
• Innovation
• Labor Relations
• Legislation
• Mediation
• Negotiation
• Relationship Building
• Trustworthiness
• Teamwork
• People Services

• Human Resources
• Government & Public Sector
• Management & Leadership
• Human Resources Specialist
• Personnel and Careers Professionals
• Human Resources Specialists

Minimum education

Professional degree

Minimum experience

5+ years

Posting language

English

Working hours

40 hours per week