Who Are We?
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority’s (UTRCA) mission is to conserve and protect the watershed through science, education, policy, action, and experiences in nature. The 17 municipalities within the Upper Thames River watershed appoint representatives to the UTRCA’s Board of Directors who represent the local urban and rural communities, deciding policies and programs that will lead to a healthy watershed. Our programs and services focus on five key areas:
- Protecting people and property and supporting safe development
- Delivering landowner stewardship
- Providing natural spaces and recreational opportunities
- Making science-based decisions
- Empowering communities and youth
The Upper Thames River watershed encompasses an area of 3,421 square kilometers and is mainly rural but includes the urban centres of London, Stratford, and Woodstock. The UTRCA serves a total population of approximately 539,500 residents.
UTRCA Conservation Areas provide outdoor recreational opportunities that aim to educate and promote conservation messages to a large audience in an effort to improve the watershed’s natural environment.
Who Are You?
As a member of the UTRCA team, you will contribute to the mission of conserving and protecting the environment through your skill and expertise, but also through your passion for the environment and calling to support change and make an impact. You will collaborate with like-minded colleagues to facilitate innovative approaches to the work you do in a supportive, friendly, and connected environment. The UTRCA embraces togetherness – you will know your colleagues, have a great time working together, and feel like you belong here. If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!
Summary
The Human Resources Specialist contributes to all aspects of the UTRCA Human Resources programs and services, supporting a skilled staffing team with a focus on service excellence. Assisting with recruitment and selection is a significant aspect of this role, as well as onboarding, employee training, policy administration, HRMS administration, performance evaluation and management, and leave administration for all staff across the UTRCA. Additionally, this role provides occasional back-up to the Administrative Assistant (Reception) for scheduled and unscheduled absences.
UTRCA has a staff team of roughly 100 full-time staff plus 100 seasonal staff. The Human Resources team includes a HR Coordinator, Payroll and Compensation Specialist and Health and Safety Specialist.
Key Duties:
- 35% Recruitment: This includes seasonal recruitment of 80-100 positions as well as other vacancies throughout the year. Responsibilities include creating postings and posting roles, contacting previous staff, scheduling and conducting interviews, creating and updating recruitment tools, creating offer letters and tracking and documenting paperwork.
- 50% General HR: Providing first-level support for HR inquiries, onboarding, preparing documents and communications, interpreting and supporting with policies and procedures, overseeing training, assisting with volunteer program.
- 15% Special HR Projects: Recent projects have included creating an internal website, redesigning onboarding, assisting with Conservation Area orientation days, contributing to internal committees.
Qualifications
Education
- A diploma or degree from an accredited post-secondary institution Human Resources, Business, or related field.
- Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation or in progress, nearing completion.
- A satisfactory police records check (Criminal and Judicial Matter Check) is required.
Experience, Knowledge and Skills:
- A minimum of three (3) years’ experience with Human Resources functions, ideally within a generalist role.
- Extensive experience in recruitment, including sourcing, interviewing, hiring and onboarding candidates across various roles.
- Experience and expertise with interpreting and applying employment legislation and HR best practice.
- Proficient with a variety of computer programs including MS 365 (Excel, Word, Teams, Sharepoint), and HRMS/HRIS systems.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills and the ability to work with limited supervision.
- Friendly and approachable, able to build positive relationships and work effectively on a team.
- Strong capacity to deal with difficult and sensitive situations with empathy.
- Comfort and ability to deal with confidential and sensitive information on a regular basis.
Compensation and Other Information
- Salary range $37.99 (starting) – $46.23/hour
- Full-time, 35 hours per week;
- Comprehensive Group Benefits, Pension Plan (OMERS) and Vacation package;
- Free access to UTRCA Conservation Areas (Fanshawe, Pittock and Wildwood);
- Hybrid work policy
*This posting is for a currently vacant position.
*Artificial Intelligence is not used in screening, assessment or selection of this role.
Application Information
Qualified candidates are invited to apply by August 11, 2025 to be considered for this opportunity. Please submit your cover letter and resume to the UTRCA, in confidence, via:
E-mail: jobs@thamesriver.ca or Mail: 1424 Clarke Road, London, ON, N5V 5B9
Please indicate the position title and your name in the subject line of your email. While we thank all applications for their interest in the position, only those applications selected for an interview will be contacted.
We are committed to providing a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment that is free from discrimination and fosters belonging. We encourage and welcome applications from qualified members of the four designated groups, and persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Accommodation is available and will be provided in all aspects of the hiring process as required under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and as request by applicants. Should you require accommodation in making an application, please contact UTRCA by phone at 519-451-2800 or at the email address above.
Personal information collected in relation to the recruitment process is collected under the authority outlined in the Conservation Authorities Act R.S.O. 1990, c. C.27, s. 18 (1) and will be used to determine eligibility for employment. Questions about this collection of personal information should be directed to: General Manager, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, 1424 Clarke Road, London, ON N5V 5B9, 519-451-2800.