Human Resources (HR) Advisors
HR Advisors perform a variety of roles at the regional and departmental level to ensure that operational and strategic
HR needs are being met. They provide support to managers and employees on such areas as: staffing and recruitment, labour
relations, job classification, and career management. They also participate in the development of HR initiatives such as learning
and professional development, employee assistance and employment equity programs; plan organizational staffing needs;
interpret and implement HR policies; and provide training in HR specialty areas.
Aaron Feniak - Civilian HR Officer
Aaron started his career with DND in 1999. He spent a year working at headquarters in Ottawa and a year and a half working in
Victoria at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt. For the past two years, he has been working with managers, employees and
the unions at CFB/Area Support Unit Edmonton.
He advises his clients - military and civilian managers - on every aspect of HR, from short-term hiring to long-range planning.
As well, Aaron handles staff relations issues; he works with the parties to try to resolve their concerns at the lowest possible level.
His relationship with the unions is very important to Aaron. He says, "Knowledge of the collective agreement is essential but, first
and foremost, an HR Advisor must be able to understand and assist people." Managers and employees come to him with a variety
of questions and he enjoys the challenge of helping them.
The most rewarding aspect of his job is the fun and friendly atmosphere in his office and on the base. "I love the people I
work with and really enjoy working for National Defence." He says the environment is fast-paced and always changing. "I really
love my job. You know it's going to be busy and different every day."
Nadine Robitaille - Human Resources Advisor
Before she joined the federal Public Service, Nadine worked for a non-profit heritage organization. Coming to a major government department
like DND "was a big adjustment", she says, but she's glad she made the transition.
Nadine works on two major projects for her group, Competency-Based Management (CBM) and Civilian Performance Planning and Review
(CPPR). CBM defines the skills, abilities and knowledge required for individuals to perform their jobs well. CBM is used primarily to assist employees
and managers to build learning and professional development plans, but some organizations are using it to identify competencies required and help
them hire the most qualified people. Nadine works closely with internal clients who want to roll out a CBM program within their organization.
She helps clients by participating in focus groups to develop and validate employee competency profiles, and facilitating CBM workshops for employees and managers.
Nadine's second project is CPPR, which entails drafting a revised performance planning and review policy for civilian employees and developing
the tools necessary for implementing this new policy. This project is based on consultations with a wide spectrum of employees, management
and unions, and the review of the Department's current performance planning and review guide as well as those of other federal government
departments and agencies.
Nadine says someone in her position needs to "be flexible, be a strong team player, be a good communicator and demonstrate initiative." Although the CBM team at
DND is a small group with a large mandate, she says, "That's a positive challenge. I like being busy. I like it when things are hopping."
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