Wellness and Disability Coordinator

Our client is a school board offering quality education programs to students in Eastern Ontario. They are looking for a full-time Wellness and Disability Coordinatorto join their team in Kemptville, Ontario.

In this role, under the direction of the Manager of Human Resources, the Wellness and Disability Coordinator is responsible for leading, actioning, and overseeing the board’s commitment to assisting employees with disabilities and promoting wellness within the organization’s community. The incumbent is responsible for implementing the Disability and Attendance Management Programs at the board while ensuring compliance with applicable legislation, collective agreements and employment contracts.

Some of your key responsibilities in this role will include:

• Researching and remaining current on best practices and effective strategies and resources, to promote employee well-being
• Ensuring compliance with the Employment Standards Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Ontario Human Rights Code, and the Workers’ Safety and Insurance Act
• Receiving, reviewing and processing all aspects of accident reports (including Form 7s) and developing and recommending accident prevention strategies
• Advising and assisting senior administration, principals, managers and supervisors in the administration of procedures related to wellness, disability support, attendance support, and other applicable areas
• Acting as liaison with service and plan providers including WSIB, SBCI, OTIP, and other related agencies and plan providers. Working with various external groups to develop approaches which focus on cost reduction, human, social and financial impacts
• Creating and giving presentations to Senior Management and other parties as appropriate on topics related to Wellness and Disability management

Disability Management

• Creating and developing practices and procedures to deal with a spectrum of Disability Management
• Coordinating activities of all participants in the Disability Management Program, including employees, unions, supervisors, external agencies, and, where applicable, Senior Management, to ensure that the program is applied equitably and consistently in all cases of disability
• Reviewing and following up on documentation from Long-Term Disability Plan carriers or adjudicators and attending related meetings
• Conducting and documenting complete and thorough disability assessments through interview with both the claimant, external insurer (WSIB/LTD) and the employee’s supervisor
• Reviewing WSIB Claims documentation and determining next steps (appeal, etc.).
• Researching and analyzing information and data, preparing and presenting arguments with facts and rationale as required to dispute a Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)/LTD Claim or Appeal a WSIB decision
• Coordinating the compiling of documentation such as witness reports, statements in preparation for appeals, tribunals and/or responses to WSIB in review of questionable and complex cases
• Representing the board at WSIB hearings and tribunals
• Working with case workers and other departments to effectively manage claims
• Assisting the Manager of Human Resources by providing case material (specific to grieved action and background) and reviewing grievance responses related to disability management

Attendance Management

• Evaluating and implementing Absence Management Programs and recommending new approaches where needed
• Implementing the board’s Attendance Support Programs; preparing, reviewing, analyzing, signing and retaining attendance reports on a regular basis
• Maintaining contact with employees regarding absences, appropriate forms and supporting medical documentation as per administrative procedures and conducting periodic follow-ups to ensure timely receipt of documentation
• Maintaining concise, up-to-date, and complete documentation

Return to Work

• Assessing information received regarding an employee’s functional abilities and deciding on the appropriate intervention approach
• Working with Supervisors and affected employees to help identify accommodations to address physical and emotional needs, to make referrals, where applicable, to internal or external resources to ensure appropriate treatment is being sought, as per physician’s recommendations
• Creating and coordinating Modified Return-to-Work Plans and leading and facilitating Return-to-Work (RTW) meetings with the employee, WSIB, LTD carrier, union representatives, and supervisors/principals
• Recommending the use of independent examiners to assess the suitability for RTW, where necessary

Program Development

• Establishing practices to create, develop, and manage all aspects of health promotion and wellness (implementing approved program revisions, evaluating current absence management techniques, creating new approaches, where necessary, working with management and the employee groups to make recommendations on the changes necessary, and identifying program improvements supported by research)
• Identifying trends in disabilities and creating and implementing appropriate proactive measures
• Identifying external resources to support health promotion and wellness programs
• Leading wellness initiatives including the Employee and Family Assistance Program and developing related awareness materials

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary diploma or degree in Disability Management, Occupational Health, or a Nursing related field, or equivalent experience in combination with post-graduate study in Human Resources Management or Industrial Relations
• Canadian Disability Management Professional (CDMP), Certified Occupational Health Nursing (COHN) or Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation would be an asset
• A minimum of four (4) years of related work experience
• Experience in education is an asset
• In-depth knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, the Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and the Employment Standards Act
• Demonstrated knowledge of WSIB Policies and procedures, Attendance Management, Adjudication Standards, Workplace Safety and Insurance Tribunal Decisions, and Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal practice directions
• A high degree of discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive information
• Excellent written and oral communication, presentation, organization, time management, problem solving and record keeping skills
• Excellent strategic planning, issues management, problem solving, and negotiation skills
• Ability to work in a team environment, as well as independently
• A valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout the jurisdiction of the board

While we appreciate all inquiries, only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Summit Search Group is a fair and equitable search firm. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person