Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Community
Languages
References
Timeline
Generic
Marcel Beerkens

Marcel Beerkens

Kelowna,Canada

Summary

Resourceful professional who brings many years of experience negotiating contracts. Successful at fostering collaboration and communication between employees and organizations. Builds consensus and smooth relations for efficient negotiations. Excellent oral and written communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Looking to apply knowledge, skills and abilities to a challenging new role.

Overview

Work History

Information Technology Support Specialist

Okanagan College
Kelowna, BC
2005 - Current
  • Collaborated with technical staff to establish goals and objectives for system improvements and upgrades.
  • Evaluated existing technology infrastructure and recommended upgrades or replacements when necessary.
  • Analyzed support tickets to identify trends and recommend product improvements to the development team.
  • Assisted customers in understanding products, components and systems using technical demonstrations.
  • Monitored and responded to support tickets in a timely manner, prioritizing based on urgency and impact using remote assistance tools.
  • Collaborated with the technical team to discuss recurring customer issues and develop long-term solutions and strategies for improving customer service experience.
  • Managed multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.

Bargaining Chairperson

BC General Employees' Union
Kelowna, BC
2014 - 2020
  • Assisted employees with mediation during formal complaints to BC Human Rights Tribunal, BC Ombudsman and WCB Prohibited Action.
  • Advocated for employees with Duty to Accommodate (disability) claims and Return to Work plan development.
  • Ensured compliance with applicable labour laws, rules, regulations, policies acting as a liaison between employees and management during negotiations.
  • Developed and organized informational meetings to discuss workplace issues and implement strategies to ensure employee rights were upheld.
  • Monitored the implementation of new policies related to labour contracts considering information and statistics for economic and labor-related proposals.
  • Participated in mediations between unions and employers over various issues, ensuring that all grievance procedures were followed according to the collective bargaining agreement.
  • Participated in monthly meetings with management to review contract compliance and address employee concerns.

Occupational Health and Safety Facilitator

BC General Employees' Union
Kelowna, BC
2015 - 2020
  • Provide training on incident investigations, ergonomics, anti-bullying and workplace violence prevention for joint OHS committees at various locations around the province.
  • Identified opportunities for improvement within existing systems and procedures related to workplace health and safety through policy change or additional training.
  • Conducted assessments to evaluate potential risks associated with operational activities to identify trends or patterns in workplace injuries or illnesses.
  • Inspected facilities to identify hazardous conditions and remedy with corrective actions using the hierarchy of control measures.
  • Participated with incident investigation teams as needed to analyze events leading up to an accident or injury.
  • Participated in monthly committee meetings and health and safety audits.

Career Counselor

Okanagan College
Kelowna, British Columbia
1998 - 2005
  • Conducted workshops on topics such as resume writing, interviewing techniques, networking strategies, and job search resources.
  • Assisted clients in developing portfolios showcasing their talents and accomplishments.
  • Provided comprehensive career counseling services to individuals of all ages and levels of experience.
  • Developed individualized action plans for clients seeking employment or transitioning into new careers.
  • Monitored changes in the labour market that could affect client's employability prospects.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

University of Regina
Regina, SK

Skills

  • Corporate Governance
  • OHS Regulation/Compliance
  • Duty to Accommodate
  • Course Development
  • Labor Relations
  • Effective Leadership
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Dispute Mediation/Resolution
  • Curriculum Implementation
  • Analytical and Critical Thinker
  • Training and Development
  • Effective Communication
  • Team Building
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Procedure Implementation
  • Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Contract/Policy Interpretation
  • Time Management
  • Discrete and Reliable
  • Conflict Resolution

Community

Youth Guardian 2011 – 2015
Venture Academy

  • Supervised and cared for troubled teens in a safe and controlled home environment while they received treatment for addictions, mental or behavioural issues.

Languages

English
Native/ Bilingual
French
Limited

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Information Technology Support Specialist

Okanagan College
2005 - Current

Bargaining Chairperson

BC General Employees' Union
2014 - 2020

Occupational Health and Safety Facilitator

BC General Employees' Union
2015 - 2020

Career Counselor

Okanagan College
1998 - 2005

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

University of Regina

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Marcel Beerkens