Description
The Yellowknives Dene First Nation (YKDFN) is governed by a Chief and Council which has offices in Dettah and Ndilo. The YKDFN Chiefs and Council affirm our sacred obligation to serve our people and our commitment to live balanced contemporary lifestyles with culture and traditions important to our community, to speak our traditional language, and to protect our natural resources and treaty rights.
For Chiefs and Council to lead the YKDFN requires having qualified personnel to achieve a prosperous future for our citizens. The incumbent works within this context to provide an effective and efficient level of support and assistance.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Human Resources Director, the Senior Human Resources Generalist provides experienced, day-to-day HR operational support with a primary focus on full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, HR documentation, employee relations, leave management, and supporting consistent HR service delivery across the organization.
As the senior member of the Human Resources team, the incumbent contributes to a strong, collaborative, and learning-focused HR environment by modelling professional standards and offering guidance to developing HR Generalists. This includes sharing knowledge, supporting documentation practices, demonstrating effective problem-solving, and helping team members build confidence in their roles. The role works closely with the HR Director to ensure consistent, reliable, and community-centered HR services across YKDFN.
This position is well suited for an experienced HR professional who enjoys hands-on operational work, values mentorship, and thrives in a supportive team culture grounded in learning, collaboration, and service to the community. The role is based in Dettah (Yellowknife) on a Monday to Friday work schedule.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. HR Operations and Administrative Support
Provide day-to-day HR support to employees and supervisors.
Take the lead on assigned key HR functions including recruitment, onboarding, contract management, and leave administration.
Draft, update, and prepare HR documentation (offers, memos, file notes, letters of expectation), arrange for required approvals, and ensure accurate record-keeping.
Provide guidance on HR policies, the Employee Handbook, and the Canada Labour Code.
Maintain confidential HR files and ensure compliance with legislative and organizational standards.
2. Recruitment and Onboarding
Lead full-cycle recruitment files, including posting, screening, interviews, reference checks, and offer preparation.
Act as an internal resource for recruitment best practices.
Coach developing HR Generalists in screening, documentation, interview preparation, and communication.
Support consistent and welcoming onboarding experiences across YKDFN.
Maintain recruitment metrics and accurate records in Sage HR and internal tracking tools.
3. Coaching, Mentorship, and Team Capacity Building
Provide guidance and day-to-day support to developing HR Generalists.
Demonstrate professional communication, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
Support a collaborative, learning-focused HR culture aligned with servant leadership.
Identify gaps in processes and help team members develop confidence and consistency.
Promote shared learning and continuous improvement through constructive feedback.
4. Employee Relations and Workplace Support
Provide initial guidance on workplace concerns, attendance, and early conflict resolution.
Assists the HR Director with fact-finding, interviews, and workplace investigations.
Support developing Generalists in maintaining proper case notes and documentation.
Ensure HR processes follow fair, consistent, and culturally respectful approaches.
5. Policy, Procedures, and Systems Implementation
Support the rollout of HR policies, SOPs, templates, and tools.
Identify workflow improvements and contribute to the development of HR forms and guides.
Support consistent use of systems including Sage HR and internal databases.
Provide observations and recommendations to the HR Director for ongoing improvement.
6. Training Development and Coordination
Assist with coordinating staff training and orientation modules.
Maintain training and certification records.
Identify training needs based on interactions with staff and supervisor feedback.
Support developing HR Generalists in planning and coordinating training activities.
7. Leave Management
Assists with maintaining leave and attendance records for all staff in accordance with HR policies.
Advises managers and staff on effective management of leave credits.
Supports work injury and return to work cases in conjunction with workers compensation.
Ensures accuracy of leave data in the HRIS system.
8. Reporting and Metrics
Maintain HR and recruitment tracking systems.
Work with HR Director to prepare summary reports on recruitment, onboarding, turnover, and HR activity.
Provide observations related to workforce needs and process improvements.
9. Human Resources Projects
Assists HR Director with current and upcoming projects.
Other job duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Strong understanding of HR best practices, employment legislation, and equitable employment principles.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive issues with tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with Sage HR or other HRIS systems is an asset.
Ability to coach, guide, and influence others through professionalism and example.
Cultural awareness and sensitivity to working within an Indigenous government context.
Requirements
Typically, the above qualifications would be attained by:
Diploma or degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
Minimum four (4) to six (6) years of progressive HR generalist experience.
Experience in a senior, lead, or coaching-type HR role is strongly preferred.
Experience in coaching supervisors and junior human resources professionals.
Experience working within Indigenous, public-sector, or community-based organizations is considered an asset.
CPHR designation or active candidacy is considered an asset.
What We Offer:
YKDFN provides a competitive salary that commensurate with experience, Northern Travel Allowance, comprehensive group insurance, pension benefits, career growth, learning opportunities and a supportive, culturally diverse work environment.
