Accommodations and Return to Work Specialist

We are currently seeking an Accommodations and Return to Work Specialist to join our Health and Wellness team

Job Overview

Reporting to the Manager, Health and Wellness, the Accommodations and Return to Work Specialist (ARWS) plays a critical role in supporting employee well-being and fostering inclusive, sustainable workplaces across the University.

This position provides expert leadership in employee accommodations and return-to-work planning, helping employees safely and meaningfully participate in work to the fullest extent possible. The ARWS works closely with employees, leaders, unions, health professionals, and insurance providers to develop thoughtful, individualized accommodation and rehabilitation plans that balance employee needs with operational requirements.

As a trusted advisor, the ARWS interprets and applies human resources policies, Collective Agreements, and Administrative Terms and Conditions, while contributing to the development and delivery of disability management programs and services. This role is well suited for a professional who is passionate about people, collaboration, and achieving positive outcomes in complex and sensitive situations.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Occupational Health, Kinesiology or a related field;
• Minimum of three years' related experience in developing and implementing employee accommodation and disability claims management in a unionized environment;
• Professional Certification or registered professional status within disability management, such as Certified Disability Management Profession (CDMP), Canadian Certified Rehabilitation Counsellor (CCRC), Accredited Rehabilitation Professional would be an asset;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated expertise in the development, implementation, and ongoing management of employee accommodation and return-to-work plans, ensuring employees are able to safely and meaningfully participate in work.
• Strong ability to collaborate with Human Resources teams to ensure accommodation and return-to-work activities align with collective agreements, benefit contracts, and organizational policies, while contributing subject-matter expertise to related wellness initiatives.
• Proven skill in partnering with Human Resources Business Partners and leaders to support effective people management practices, including navigating complex situations, addressing barriers, and guiding conversations related to accommodations and return-to-work planning.
• Advanced case management capabilities, including the development, negotiation, implementation, and monitoring of vocational rehabilitation, return-to-work plans, and duty to accommodate agreements for ill or injured employees.
• Ability to maintain accurate, confidential, and compliant records related to accommodation requests, assessments, and return-to-work plans in accordance with legislation, policies, collective agreements, and terms and conditions of employment.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate the effectiveness of accommodation and return-to-work plans and collaborate with employees and supervisors to make timely and appropriate adjustments as needed.
• Strong collaborative and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work across departments and with key stakeholders to support both operational needs and positive employee outcomes.
• Experience working with health care providers and insurance providers to facilitate successful return-to-work outcomes, including negotiating rehabilitation plans, workplace restrictions, modified duties, and workload arrangements.
• Knowledge and skill in participating in workplace assessments alongside occupational health professionals, and in providing guidance on ergonomic requests, workstation modifications, adaptive aids, and equipment.
• Ability to design and deliver training programs and resources to support manager and employee understanding of accommodation and return-to-work processes, engaging external service providers where appropriate.
• Strong analytical skills to develop statistical reports related to accommodation and return-to-work activity, and to identify trends and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated commitment to staying current with emerging best practices, legislation, and regulatory changes, and applying this knowledge to recommend improvements to policies, procedures, standards, and programs.
• Experience processing employee data and updating internal systems (e.g., Banner), and providing guidance to HR and Payroll teams on accommodation and return-to-work plans that impact employee pay.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with the Health and Wellness team to streamline case management processes and ensure accurate and efficient record keeping.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of service and professionalism, and to contributing to a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment through participation in training, education, and other assigned initiatives.
• Demonstrated accountability in adhering to University policies and procedures and completing mandatory training requirements.

Competencies

• Demonstrated knowledge of the concepts, theories, practices and techniques of disability management, including accommodation, rehabilitation, case management, attendance awareness, and stay at work/early return to work programs
• Proven understanding of collective agreements, benefit policies, workplace legislation, disability guidelines and Human Rights legislation as they relate to disability management.
• Advanced interpersonal, communication, mediation and negotiation skills with ability to handle difficult conversations, emotional situations, conflict, and resistance with tact, diplomacy and professionalism.
• Demonstrated judgement, discretion and the ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Demonstrated innovation and change management skills, including supporting and encouraging new ideas and approaches to build organizational efficiency.
• Demonstrated business acumen considering the business impact in decision making while maintaining a people first perspective.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to identify and recommend creative solutions.
• Proven ability to juggle and prioritize tasks, work to deadlines and demands, making responsible decisions and determine when to seek advice.
• High customer service orientation, with the ability to create a positive and meaningful customer experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of medical/treatment terminology related to disability and vocational rehabilitation.
• Ability to travel between campuses is required

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Salary Information

The compensation range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary (as listed above) for a position.  Approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position.  In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and approximately halfway of the salary range for a job. Annual salary increases are available through participation in the Administrative Performance Management program