Full-time Abilities, Leave, and Wellness Specialist

algonquincollege; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 89,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Algonquin College in Ottawa seeks a full-time Abilities, Leave and Wellness Specialist to manage disability, accommodation and employee leave programs.

The role coordinates disability cases, STD/LTD and WSIB claims, assesses medical information, and develops safe, timely accommodation and return-to-work plans with employees, leaders, unions, and providers. It also supports wellbeing education and vendor services across campus.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree in a related field (HR, Disability Mgmt, Health Sciences)
• Professional designation (CHRP/CHRL, CDMP, CRTWC)
• Minimum of five years in disability management and leave administration
• Experience in a complex, unionized environment
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and collective agreements

Responsibilities

• Administer disability, accommodation, return-to-work and leave programs end-to-end
• Coordinate STD/LTD/WSIB claims and assess medical information
• Develop safe, timely accommodation/return-to-work plans with stakeholders
• Maintain confidential case records and monitor service and costs

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Data management

Communication skills

Client-service orientation

Education

Bachelor's or higher in HR/Disability Mgmt/Health Sciences

Professional designation such as CHRP/CHRL or CDMP

Tools

Workday

Microsoft 365

Job description

Department:

Employee Abilities and Wellness

Position Type:

Full-Time Administrative

Salary Range:

$88,985.00-$111,230.00-Annual

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

36.25

Anticipated Start Date:

October 19, 2026

Length of Contract:

n/a

Posting Information

This job posting is now accepting applications from all qualified individuals.

Posting Closing Date: October 18, 2026

Please note: jobs are posted until 11:59 pm on the job closing date.

Land Acknowledgment

Algonquin College campuses in Ottawa and Pembroke is located on the traditional unceded, and unsurrendered territory of the Anishinàbe Algonquin People. The Algonquin People have inhabited and cared for these lands since time immemorial. We take this time to express our gratitude and respect to them and to the land for all that it has provided and will continue to provide.

Job Description

Reporting to the Manager, Total Compensation, the Abilities, Leave and Wellness Specialist provides end-to-end administration and specialized advice for the College's disability, accommodation, return-to-work, employee leave and wellbeing programs.

The Specialist coordinates occupational and non-occupational disability cases, Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) claims; assesses the sufficiency of functional abilities and medical information; and develops safe, timely and sustainable accommodation and return-to-work plans in collaboration with employees, people leaders, unions, healthcare providers and third-party administrators.

The position administers statutory, collective-agreement and College policy-based leaves assigned to Total Compensation, including pregnancy (maternity), parental and adoption, family-related, personal, medical and other paid or unpaid leaves. The Specialist confirms eligibility and documentation requirements, coordinates leave dates and system transactions, monitors extensions and expected returns, and supports transitions among leave, disability, accommodation and return-to-work processes.

The Specialist works closely with Labour Relations, Payroll, Pension and Benefits, HRIS/Workday and other Human Resources partners; maintains accurate and confidential case records; provides guidance to employees and people leaders; monitors service, cost and trend information; and recommends process improvements. The position also supports focused employee wellbeing education, programs and vendor services.

Required Qualifications

• Four (4) year Degree in Human Resources Management, Disability Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Nursing, Health Sciences or a related discipline;
• A relevant professional designation such as CHRP/CHRL, Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) or Certified Return to Work Coordinator (CRTWC);
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in disability management, workplace accommodation, return-to-work coordination and employee leave administration;
• Experience working in a complex, highly unionized environment;
• Experience interpreting legislation, collective agreements, terms and conditions, policies and benefit provisions, and coordinating case activity with internal and external stakeholders, including: Payroll, Pension and Benefits, HRIS and third-party administrators;
• Experience applying knowledge of workplace wellbeing, occupational health, disability management or related practices to support complex employee cases is an asset;
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Employment Standards Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and applicable privacy requirements;
• Knowledge of disability, accommodation, return-to-work and comprehensive employee leave-management principles and practices;
• Ability to interpret and apply collective agreements, terms and conditions of employment, benefit plans, College policies and established procedures;
• Knowledge of the interdependencies between employee status, pay, top-up, benefits, pension, seniority and leave or disability events;
• Proficiency with HR information systems, preferably Workday, case-management systems and Microsoft 365 applications;
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and data-management skills, including the ability to identify trends and control issues;
• Excellent organization and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple confidential and time-sensitive cases;
• Sound judgement and the ability to make independent decisions within delegated authority and escape matters appropriately;
• Excellent written and verbal communication, consultation, coaching and client-service skills, with the ability to explain complex requirements clearly and sensitively;
• Strong conflict-resolution, relationship-management and cross-functional coordination skills in a unionized environment;
• Demonstrated discretion, r