Government Relations Specialist

Industry organizations across the country are realizing that tackling important environmental issues will not only ensure a better future for Canadians but will help secure business success for members. We’ve been at the forefront of this movement for over 20 years now, taking these challenges on and doing something to make a difference.

If you’re looking to put your government relations, policy, and regulatory skills to use in an organization that’s committed to environmentally responsible leadership, we have the opportunity for you.

We’re the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) and, if you care about making life for Canadians better and more comfortable, you’ll want to work with us. Founded in 1968, we advocate for a safe, competent, highly skilled and responsible industry, where indoor heating, refrigeration, and cooling systems are designed, installed, and serviced to the highest standard by qualified professionals.

We’re a not-for-profit national trade association that represents member companies in the heating ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry. Our members include manufacturers, wholesalers, contractors, design professionals and others with an interest in the industry.

We’re looking for a Government Relations Specialist to join our growing team, and we hope this search ends with you.

Your goal in this position is to advise on regulatory aspects of HRAI’s services to manufacturing members. You’ll present members’ interests to major standards and code developers, and other federal and provincial regulatory bodies.

To best represent our members, you’ll need an appetite for learning about the HVACR industry, our response to and our role in environmental regulations. You’ll help to harmonize regulations and standards among various governing bodies, regulators and legislators in Canada and the US  on behalf of our manufacturing members (and those of our sister organization, the AHRI, in the United States).

Practically speaking, you will:

  • Analyze technical issues affecting HRAI/AHRI manufacturing members by reviewing relevant proposed standards, codes, federal/provincial regulations.
  • Research and compose comment letters and position statements after consulting with members, the HRAI leadership, and the AHRI regulatory team.
  • Engage with members, and represent member interests before standard/code developing organizations, and federal and provincial regulatory agencies.
  • Coordinate with HRAI and AHRI teams on proposed standards and regulations to HRAI membership through presentations, bulletins, publications, articles, etc.
  • Collaborate with other HRAI and AHRI staff to provide consultation on technical matters, and share insight, guidance, and information on technical issues for members and staff.
  • Review amendments, policies, and regulatory details related to the federal government legislations and environmental policies to provide expertise on regulatory strategy in support of HRAI and AHRI’s advocacy program.

You’ll be a great fit for this role if you are:

  • An excellent verbal and written communicator – you always get your written and verbal messages across clearly and effectively for all audiences.
  • Organized – you manage your time to handle competing priorities and maintain a high level of accuracy. You’re detail-oriented, take accountability for your work, and never sacrifice quality.
  • Collaborative – you have excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, and you enjoy working with internal and external teams to learn about their needs.
  • A Problem Solver – you’re analytical and can think critically to find creative solutions to complex problems, even if it means changing the course of action.

THE ROLE 

The Government Relations Specialist will advise on technical and regulatory matters and related aspects of HRAI’s services to manufacturing members. Reporting to the Vice President, Government and Stakeholder Relations, this role will present members’ interests to major standards and code developers, federal and provincial regulatory agencies and similar outside organizations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Analyze technical issues affecting HRAI manufacturing members by reviewing impact of proposed standards, codes, federal and state regulations related to HRAI covered products.
  • Research and compose comment letters and position statements by consulting with members, HRAI leadership and AHRI regulatory team to determine the industry’s position.
  • Represent member interests before major standard and code developing organizations, federal, and provincial regulatory agencies.
  • Develop and communicate analyses and coordinate with HRAI and AHRI teams on positions on proposed standards, codes, and regulations to HRAI membership through presentations, bulletins, correspondence, HRAI publications, articles, and other media.
  • Provide insight, guidance and relevant background information on technical issues to HRAI and AHRI members and staff.
  • Work in concert with other HRAI and AHRI staff and provide consultation on technical matters.
  • Coordinate with non-technical departments to address multifaceted issues that include technical aspects.
  • Provide expertise on regulatory strategy in support of HRAI’s advocacy program.

General Position Duties

  • Duties listed in Essential Functions are not all tasking with this position.  Other duties can be assigned as part of the core responsibilities of this position. 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

  • Communication - Listens and demonstrates understanding; clarifies meaning for others’, speaks with clarity and precision; able to communicate with a diverse audience, writes clearly and effectively.
  • Customer Focus – Builds long-term relationships with customers, understands customers current and future needs, meets customer commitments and keeps customers informed; seek and uses customer feedback.
  • Customer Service – Works and communicates with members and internal staff to satisfy their expectations.  Committed to quality service.  Treat all with courtesy and respect.
  • Flexibility – Can change behavioural style and/or views in order to attain a set goal
  • Organizational Savvy – Operates within the organization’s formal and informal structures, builds allies and relationships across departments, uses allies to build consensus and create results, is appropriately diplomatic, understand others’ roles and perspectives, can sell projects and ideas across the organization.
  • Problem Solving (judgement) – Interprets data from various sources, generates effective solutions to problems; makes sound business decisions, generates alternative approaches to problem solving; demonstrates awareness of consequences or implications of judgement
  • Teamwork – Effectively participates in accomplishing team goals, creates group cohesion, gives and seeks specific, constructive feedback; works effectively with other work groups, values the contributions of people from diverse backgrounds, involves others in decisions that affect them.
  • Work quality – Ensuring that work and information are complete and accurate; carefully preparing for meetings and presentations; following up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled. 

SKILLS & ABILITIES

  • At least five years of trade association, government agency and/or comparable corporate experience required.
  • Bachelor's Degree required. Graduate degree in public policy, government relations, economics or degree in law preferred.
  • Must be fluent in French and English.
  • Demonstration of writing skills.
  • MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel) proficiency.

 

We strive to build a team that reflects the diversity of the community we work in and encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people identifying as LGBTQ2SI, veterans, and people with disabilities. If we can make this easier through accommodation in the recruitment process, please contact us jobs@hrai.ca.

To apply for this positon at HRAI, please send your resume to jobs@hrai.ca. We look forward to hearing from you.