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HR Assistant

As we serve vulnerable youth, all employees working for Covenant House Vancouver must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required prior to your start date.

About Covenant House Vancouver

Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has provided relentless support for youth experiencing, or at-risk of experiencing, homelessness. We provide support to young people age 16 to 24 who have experienced a wide range of early life and ongoing, complex trauma; including physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect. Our purpose is to serve all youth, with absolute respect and unconditional love, to help youth experiencing homelessness, and provide a safe and supportive environment for all youth in need.

Working at Covenant House will be one of the most meaningful things that you’ll do in your life. However, you will be confronted with significant issues in this work and frankly, this work is not for everyone. In the course of doing your work, particularly for those doing frontline work, you will be exposed to the trauma of others. The youth we serve may also experience overdose, physical harm perpetuated by self or others and even death. Because we provide a relational model of care, the harms our youth experience can impact us in varying degrees.  
 
While we provide training for youth workers on avoiding what we call vicarious trauma (namely, the trauma you can experience or take on by hearing other’s traumatic stories), and a generous allowance for counselling, it is still difficult work that can and does take its toll on many employees. Self-awareness and self-care are key. Some candidates and employees decide during the recruiting and probationary periods that this work isn’t for them, and that is totally fair. 
 
We will provide more information on vicarious trauma during recruiting and on-boarding, to help you decide if Covenant House is the place for you.  

The Impact the HR Assistant can make:

As the HR Assistant you will play an important role in supporting the People & Culture (P&C) team with various administrative and operational tasks. This position requires excellent organization, strong written and verbal communication skills and a positive, proactive approach to handling day to day P&C functions.

How you will contribute:

  • Assist with day-to-day HR operations including maintaining employee records, HR documentation and HR databases
  • Support the recruitment process including new hire processing, DocuSign, onboarding administration, reference checks, etc.
  • Prepare and provide weekly Staff Update support
  • Track and coordinate department and companywide programs
  • Coordinate service awards quarterly including letters, certificates, gifts and announcements
  • Track employee movements in HRIS and Excel
  • Maintain employee training in Excel/ HRIS, track statistics and costs
  • Track the onboarding of new employees in Excel and set up the HR file
  • Request criminal record check reports for new and current employees
  • Monitor and respond to messages to department email address
  • Maintain electronic files, particularly employee personnel files
  • Prepare expense reports and code invoices for approval
  • Administration of employee programs by tracking information, drafting correspondence for Tuition Reimbursement and Employee Referral Programs
  • Prepare employment files for legal requests and invoice for same
  • Prepare employment verification letters for employees upon request
  • Other duties as assigned

Who are we looking for?

Education and Experience:

  • 1-2 years of administrative experience
  • Certificate/diploma or degree in Human Resources or Business Administration is an asset
  • Strong computer skills including proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint

Competencies:     

  • Strong customer service, administrative, and organizational skills
  • Ability to exercise tact and discretion in dealing with confidential and sensitive information
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy
  • Ability to establish trust and rapport with staff at all levels
  • Ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment while maintaining professionalism and composure

Compensation

The successful candidate can expect a starting annual salary of between $43,616.29 and $54,363.40 depending on factors such as internally equity, experience, competencies, and education. Once hired, the hourly rates are reviewed annually following the annual performance review and successful employees have the opportunity for their hourly rate to increase, over time, up to the maximum of the pay band, currently $65,228.80.

Total Rewards

This position has flexible working arrangements with a hybrid in office expectation; excellent extended health and dental benefits for you and your spouse & children, including generous counselling benefits. During the first year, employees receive three weeks’ paid vacation, increasing to four in the second year; we have paid sick and personal leave and a matching Registered Pension Plan, investment in professional development, and more.  If you’d like more information on what we offer, please ask! 

We have been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2024!

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Covenant House Vancouver is a secular organization that welcomes and serves young people from all backgrounds. While the international federation to which we belong was founded in the 1970s by members of the Catholic Church, we are not aligned with any specific faith traditions.

CHV is committed to upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

  • Persons from groups marginalized due to race, ancestry, colour, religion/spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
  • Persons with visible (physical) and/or invisible (mental) disabilities;
  • Persons who identify as women;
  • Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; and
  • Indigenous persons.

We recognize that many of these identities intersect and that therefore, diversity, equity, and inclusion can be complex. We value the contributions that each person brings and are committed to ensuring full and equal participation for all at Covenant House Vancouver.

We love what we do and try to make a difference every day. Covenant House Vancouver offers a competitive salary with a great benefits package and excellent opportunity for training and career advancement. If you are looking to join a place where we have a purpose and aim to achieve positive outcomes, please join us by applying.

If our recruitment process does not work for you, let us know. Let’s see how we can work together to get to know you and see what might be a great fit!