Health and Abilities Specialist

Ontario University Athletics; Guelph; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Guelph seeks a Health and Abilities Specialist to manage disability claims and develop return-to-work plans. The role requires a post-secondary degree in disability management or a related field, alongside over 5 years of experience in a unionized environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and strong understanding of disability principles are essential. This position offers an engaging opportunity to foster health and wellness within the university community.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in disability claims management and workplace accommodations.
• Strong understanding of human rights legislation related to duty to accommodate.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Manage short-term and long-term disability claims from initial reporting to closure.
• Develop and implement return-to-work plans in collaboration with management.
• Conduct ergonomic assessments and job matching.

Skills

Disability management principles

Workplace accommodations

Return-to-work planning

Ergonomics

Confidentiality and discretion

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Post-secondary degree in disability management or related discipline

Tools

Parklane Systems

Job description

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Department:Occupational Health and Wellness
This position is represented by the agreement between the Professional Staff Association and the University of Guelph

If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant.
Career Opportunities (sapsf.com)

General Purpose

The University of Guelph is committed to changing lives and improving life for all members of our community. With an overall goal of promoting health, safety and wellness at the University, the Health and Abilities Specialist represents a great opportunity to expand your experience and skills and support a diverse portfolio and operational units.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Health, Safety & Wellness, the Health and Abilities Specialist will provide direction and support to employees and management regarding absences, return-to-work, and accommodations due an illness or injury. This will include:

• Managing short-term and long-term disability claims from initial reporting to claim closure.
• Developing, implementing, and monitoring return-to-work and accommodation plans for a caseload of ill/injured employees in collaboration with management, human resources, treatment providers, employee groups (where applicable), and the ill/injured employee.
• Lead return-to-work meetings with ill/injured employees, management, staff relations, and employee bargaining unit (where applicable), ensuring alignment with return-to-work plan.
• Provide expertise in the management of complex disability cases with respect to cost containment and legislative requirements in a multi-unionized environment.
• Conduct various types of assessments including ergonomic, physical/cognitive demands analysis, job matching, and worksite assessments.
• Maintain regular communication and provide support and ongoing training to supervisors.
• Identifies and escalates complex claims that may require intervention to executive leadership, or legal counsel.
• Ensures accurate documentation regarding all claims and interventions are documented in Parklane.
• Contributes to the development of standardized claims management and return-to-work processes to ensure consistency across all files and team members.
• Works with healthcare providers and Occupational Health Physician Consultant to clarify functional abilities and restrictions to support return-to-work planning.
• Maintains confidentiality of ill/injured employees

Requirements

• A post-secondary degree in disability management, occupational therapy, occupational health and safety, kinesiology, nursing, or related discipline. Preference to a regulated health professional.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in disability claims management, workplace accommodations, return-to-work planning/coordination, and ergonomics within a unionized environment.
• Strong understanding of disability management principles, workplace accommodations, and duty to accommodate under human rights legislation.
• High degree of confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive employee medical and disability-related information.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Experience with Parklane Systems is an asset.

Preferred Education

• Possesses one of the following professional designations: Occupational Therapist (OT Reg.), Return to Work Disability Manager (RTWDM), Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP), Certified Return to Work Coordinator (CRTWC), Canadian Certification in Occupational Health Nursing (COHN-C), or equivalent.

Employee Type: Regular
Position Number: 10060059
Classification: P&M FT- Band 06
Professional/Managerial Salary Bands
The target hiring salary for this position is minimum and up to 96% of midpoint for the salary grade.

*Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering aculture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 12/19/2025
Closing Date: 01/16/2026