Specialist, Return to Work Services

Summary of Duties:

Reporting to the Manager, Health, Safety and Wellness, the Specialist, Return to Work is responsible for the development, implementation and administration of the Corporation’s Rehabilitation and Attendance Policies for injured or ill employees to include return to work for employees in receipt of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Short Term Disability, Long-Term Disability and Weekly Indemnity benefits.  This position is instrumental in the Corporate Wellness initiatives.

Work Performed:

• Work collaboratively with employees, managers, unions, health care providers and other interested parties in developing, implementing, and monitoring return to work plans with a goal of assisting and assuring employees an early and safe return to work.
• Develop annual and multi-year plans, goals, and objectives for the Corporation's Rehabilitation, Claims Administration Programs, Short Term illness and disability.
• Collaboratively resolve complex issues related to disability matters and third party providers.
• Develop, implement and monitor employee wellness initiatives aimed at promoting employee health.
• Monitor, review and administer all employee sick time, Workplace Safety and Insurance return to work, L.T.D. and S.T.D. claims filed on behalf of employees of the Corporation.  Maintain statistics and prepare reports on W.S.I.B. return to work, L.T.D., S.T.D, sick time and Rehabilitation programs.
• Maintain contact with government, healthcare professional community, and other agencies regarding health, safety and disability claims matters.  Develop the personal and professional contacts necessary to remain abreast of developments in employee health, safety and rehabilitation.
• Maintain confidential medical information provided to employer. Maintain accurate and timely documentation on files.
• Identify and recommend policies, procedures and practices that support divisional objectives that contribute to the implementation of strategic initiatives for the People Services Division to meet the Council’s Strategic Plan. 
• Demonstrate commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression, and human rights through practices and interactions with community partners, employees and individuals and support programs and initiatives that reflect this commitment. 
• Demonstrate commitment and adherence to Health and Safety legislation and programs; actively promote a culture of safety.
• Engage in opportunities to work across Divisions and Service Areas in support of enterprise-wide collaboration.
• Support the development of processes and tools needed to increase efficiencies and improve the effectiveness of services provided by the Unit.
• Provide recommendations and convey strategic direction to management and employees in support of attendance, return to work and claims management including claims analysis, case management.
• Prepare reports for Council and various Committees as required. 
• Effectively and thoroughly evaluate and organize information so that it can be easily understood by various audiences.
• Develop and execute strategies for communicating information and facilitating discussions; Provide rational for decisions, recommendations or courses of action required to resolve an issue. 
• Implement strategies to track performance measures for Unit deliverables, using appropriate data collection and analytics.
• Develop and execute detailed project plans to deliver high quality, (engaging) and effective programs.
• Participate in all joint Rehabilitation and Return to Work Committees.
• Initiate, arrange and conduct training in specific areas as required.
• Perform other related duties as assigned. 
   

Qualifications:

• University degree in Occupational Therapy, Kinesiology or related health discipline or equivalent combination of education and related professional and lived community experience.
• Five years previous related work experience in workplace rehabilitation, returning employees to active employment in a unionized environment or within the human resources field.
• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) or Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS) designation is an asset.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of workplace health, safety and wellness with an understanding of the Unit’s programs and services. 
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and customer services skills, including conflict resolution and problem solving.
• Thorough understanding of the Ontario Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) Act and Ontario Human Rights Code. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of ergonomics and workplace accommodation. 
• Demonstrated ability to be an effective team member and contribute to programs and services provided by the team.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills, with emphasis on presenting findings, preparing briefing material, and providing recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with diverse populations within the community; experience working collaboratively with organizations and clients.
• Ability to provide a high level of attention to detail, make sense of data and solve problems. 
• Ability to understand the importance of service delivery; contribute to the implementation of initiatives that support the section’s customers in a timely and effective way.
• Strong organizational skills including but not limited to planning, prioritizing, time management and the ability to multi-task.
• Knowledge and demonstrated skills in the areas of effective project/ change management, performance measurement, policy development, business case development, strategic and business planning.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office, and related software and database applications including Parklane Systems.

Compensation & Other Information:

$87, 024 - $113, 644

This posting is for (1) one temporary, full-time up to (2) two years position.

Current Hours of Work: Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Work hours and work arrangement are subject to change in accordance with business requirements

Police Record Check

The successful candidate will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check.