Employee Relations / Industrial Relations (ER/IR) Specialist
Roster:
FIFO 4:3
Position Overview
We’re looking for an experienced HR Advisor with strong ER/IR experience, in the mining sector, to work onsite as a business partner to the Site Manager.
The role will focus on psychosocial matters and ER/IR issues, helping relieve the pressure on site management. This person will be client-facing and confident managing sensitive matters independently. Additionally, this role will require the ER/IR person to help coach Village Managers alongside Operation Managers.
Key Responsibilities
- Employee Relations: Manage employee grievances, workplace investigations, disciplinary matters, performance management and conflict resolution.
- Industrial Relations: Provide advice on enterprise agreements, awards, employment conditions, industrial disputes and workforce negotiations.
- Legislative Compliance: Ensure compliance with the Fair Work Act 2009, applicable modern awards, enterprise agreements, National Employment Standards and relevant Western Australian employment requirements.
- Workplace Investigations: Conduct impartial investigations into misconduct, workplace complaints, bullying, harassment and other employment-related matters.
- Stakeholder Management: Build effective working relationships with site management, HR teams, employees, unions and employee representatives.
- Industrial Risk Management: Identify emerging workplace relations risks, monitor industrial activity and develop strategies to minimize operational disruption.
- Policy and Procedure Development: Review, implement and maintain ER/IR policies, procedures and guidelines aligned with legislation and company requirements.
- Management Advisory: Coach and advise supervisors and managers on employee relations issues, consultation obligations, disciplinary processes and appropriate workplace practices.
- Reporting and Documentation: Maintain accurate ER/IR records, prepare investigation reports, monitor workplace trends and provide recommendations to management.
- FIFO Site Support: Provide hands-on ER/IR support at remote mining and resources sites, including responding to time-sensitive workplace matters.
- Previous experience in an Employee Relations, Industrial Relations or Workplace Relations role within the mining, resources, construction or heavy industrial sector.
- Strong working knowledge of Australian employment legislation, industrial instruments and enterprise agreements.
- Demonstrated experience managing workplace investigations, employee grievances, disciplinary matters and dispute resolution.
- Experience working with unions, employee representatives and operational management.
- Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to interpret legislation, policies and industrial agreements and translate requirements into practical operational advice.
- Proven ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and report-writing capabilities.
- Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, operationally focused environment.
- Degree or relevant qualification in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Employment Relations, Law or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
- Must be able to FIFO on a 4:3 roster
- Timely and effective resolution of employee relations matters.
- Compliance with applicable employment legislation, industrial agreements and company policies.
- Reduction in unresolved grievances and preventable workplace disputes.
- Quality, accuracy and timeliness of investigations and ER/IR documentation.
- Effective support and coaching provided to operational leaders.
- Positive stakeholder engagement and proactive management of industrial relations risks.
- Professional, impartial and approachable.
- Strong judgement, integrity and confidentiality.
- Resilient and adaptable in remote operational environments.
- Confident in managing challenging conversations and sensitive workplace matters.
- Practical, solutions-focused and capable of balancing employee considerations with operational requirements.