Human Resources Professionals
(NOC 1121)
in All Business, Finance, and AdministrationHuman resources professionals develop, implement and evaluate human resources and labour relations policies, programs and procedures and advise employers and employees on human resources matters. Human resources professionals are employed throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.
Job Outlook
Good
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Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “good”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is better than average when compared to other occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to have strong growth over the next few years, which will likely provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Human Resources Professionals most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common.
The median employment income for 78% of Human Resources Professionals who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $63,964. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$19.00
Minimum$30.00
Median$44.53
MaximumAnnual Pay
$16,537
Minimum$58,089
Median$104,461
MaximumCompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
Hourly Pay
$13.00
Minimum$21.03
Median$35.90
MaximumAnnual Pay
$6,754
Minimum$36,515
Median$70,271
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Human resources professionals develop, implement and evaluate human resources and labour relations policies, programs and procedures and advise employers and employees on human resources matters. Human resources professionals are employed throughout the private and public sectors, or they may be self-employed.
Job duties
Human resources professionals perform some or all of the following duties:
- Plan, develop, implement and evaluate human resources and labour relations strategies including policies, programs and procedures to address an organization's human resource requirements.
- Advise managers and employees on the interpretation of human resources policies, compensation and benefit programs and collective agreements.
- Negotiate collective agreements on behalf of employers or workers, mediate labour disputes and grievances and provide advice on employee and labour relations.
- Research and prepare occupational classifications, job descriptions, salary scales and competency appraisal measures and systems.
- Plan and administer staffing, total compensation, training and career development, employee assistance, employment equity and affirmative action programs.
- Manage programs and maintain human resources information and related records systems.
- Hire and oversee training of staff.
- Coordinate employee performance appraisal programs.
- Research employee benefit and health and safety practices and recommend changes or modifications to existing policies.
Sample job titles
- compensation officer
- disability case manager - human resources
- employment equity officer
- human resources specialist
- industrial relations officer
- labour relations specialist
- mediator - labour relations
- staff relations officer
- staff training and development officer
- union representative
Skills
To work in this field, you need good interpersonal skills as well as effective oral and written communication skills. You should be organized and capable of analytical and logical thought. Negotiating skills and research skills are also important.
Job requirements
- A university degree or college diploma in human resources management or a related field, such as business administration, industrial relations, commerce or psychology or completion of a professional development program in human resources administration is required.
- Some employers may require human resources professionals to hold a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation.
Other considerations
Increasing emphasis on the importance of achieving employment equity, meeting stricter standards in health and safety, and administering employee benefit packages will help create job opportunities for people in this occupation. Progression to management positions is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Public Administration
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate & Leasing
Health Care and Social Assistance
Other Services
Other Professional Services
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
25-34
35-44
55-64
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
45-54
55-64
35-44
65+
25-34
Top levels of education
Bachelor's degree
$51,713 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$44,075 median annual incomeHigh school
$31,389 median annual incomeDoctorate
N/AUniversity advanced certificate or diploma
$47,037 median annual incomeCompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
College certificate or diploma
$33,837 median annual incomeHigh school
$30,074 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$39,473 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$32,871 median annual incomeLess than high school
$23,775 median annual incomeEducation & training
Business administration and management - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. These programs include courses in management theory, human resources management and behaviour, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.
Institutions providing this program
800 Sackville Drive
Lower Sackville, NS B4E 1R8
(902) 463-6700
6960 Mumford Road, Suite 155-1st Floor Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1
(902) 455-3395
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
PO Box 550, 1 Main Street
Springhill, NS B0M 1X0
(902) 597-3737
372 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
(902) 742-3501
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
75 High Street
Bridgewater, NS B4V 1V8
(902) 543-4608
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
226 Reeves Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2A2
(902) 625-2380
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
36 Arthur Street
Truro, NS B2N 1X5
(902) 893-5385
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Unit 37, 115 Chain Lake Drive
Halifax, NS B3S 1B3
(877) 491-6774
Business administration, management and operations - Other
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program not listed above that relates to Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Business/commerce - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the general study of business, including the processes of interchanging goods and services (buying, selling and producing), business organization, and accounting as used in profit-making and non-profit public and private institutions and agencies. The program prepares individuals to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Human resources development
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply integrated training, organizational development, and career planning and counselling skills to the design, management, and evaluation of programs to improve individual productivity, employability, and job satisfaction and organizational effectiveness. These programs include courses in psychology; organizational behaviour; principles of adult education; occupational counselling; skill testing and evaluation; program design; consulting practice; organizational development; and applications to issues such as training, management development, customer service, and total quality management.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Human resources management/personnel administration - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to manage the development of human capital in organizations, and to provide related services to individuals and groups. These programs include courses in personnel and organization policy, human resource dynamics and flows, labour relations, sex roles, civil rights, human resources laws and regulations, motivation and compensation systems, work systems, career management, employee testing and assessment, recruitment and selection, managing employee and job training programs, and the management of human resources programs and operations.
Institutions providing this program
721 Alexandra Street
Sydney, NS B1S 2H4
(902) 564-6112
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Psychology - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any general program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and collective behaviour, the physical and environmental bases of behaviour, and the analysis and treatment of behaviour problems and disorders. These programs include courses in the principles of the various subfields of psychology, research methods, and psychological assessment and testing methods.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Professional Designation (Voluntary): Professional designation exists and shows that the holder has met the standards for the job. Employers may require professional designation, however, professional designation is not necessary to legally work in this job.
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.