Job ID 31456: Return to Work Specialist

Hamilton Insurance Group, Ltd.; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal employer in Canada is seeking a Return to Work Specialist to manage disability case management services and assist employees in their rehabilitation and return to work process. The ideal candidate will have considerable experience in work accommodation and disability claims management, along with strong analytical and interpersonal skills. Join a dedicated team committed to providing inclusive and supportive work environments.

Qualifications

• Experience in work accommodation and return to work management.
• Knowledge of disability claims management and policies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage cases and assist employees with rehabilitation.
• Develop individualized return to work plans.
• Prepare and review statistical reports.

Skills

Work accommodation

Disability claims management

Human resources in a unionized environment

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Customer service

Education

Post secondary education in a related discipline

Job description

Contribute to the City of Hamilton, one of Canada’s largest cities - home to a diverse and strong economy, an active and inclusive community, a robust cultural and dining scene, hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails and natural beauty just minutes from the downtown core, and so much more. Join our diverse team of talented and ambitious staff who embody our values of sensational service, courageous change, steadfast integrity, collective ownership and being engaged empowered employees. Help us achieve our vision of being the best place to raise a child and age successfully.

Job ID #31456: Return to Work Specialist

• Union: Non-Union
• Job Description ID#: 5413
• Close date: Interested applicants please submit your application online at www.hamilton.ca/city-council/jobs-city by 4:00 p.m. on October 15, 2025.
• Internal applicants should apply with your work e-mail address. External applicants are considered only after the internal posting process has been completed. Only applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

Reporting to the Manager, Return to Work Services, the Return to Work Specialist provides disability case management services from an abilities management perspective to the employees of the City of Hamilton.

GENERAL DUTIES

• Manages cases, assists employees who require rehabilitation in order to return to work or remain at work by facilitating the employee's efforts to receive optimum medical and rehabilitative management.
• Manages claims, collects appropriate and relevant medical documentation, determines benefits eligibility.
• Seeks clarification of an employee's medical status and liaises between outside agencies and employees requiring specialized assessments and interventions.
• Ensures appropriate administration of absences and associated benefits due to illness or injury based on City of Hamilton policies and procedures.
• Assists people leaders in identifying and managing non-culpable absenteeism.
• Reviews/requests medical reports, attendance reports and employment records as deemed necessary to appropriately facilitate an early, safe return to work.
• Coordinates case management services return to work programs, treatment or assessments to proactively manage employee absences.
• Performs face to face intervention with employees as required, provides health assessments.
• Maintains regular communication with employees, managers/supervisors and any other required party to monitor and evaluate ongoing claim status.
• Participates in regular file review processes and maintains quality assurance standards.
• Develops, in co-operation with health care professionals, an individualized return to work/rehabilitation plan which may include physical conditioning, work modification, work hardening, tool/equipment adaptation, graduated return to work programs, counselling and job coaching.
• Implements appropriate work accommodations, temporary or permanent, as provided for in the Work Accommodation Policy.
• Develops follow-up plans to monitor employee progress
• Co-ordinates with internal or external resources to secure analysis of physical requirements of positions, work stations, work sites through work-site visits for on-site job analyses.
• Provides ongoing education material, delivers regular information sessions to City of Hamilton employees and management and/or coordinates external programs for employees and management regarding return to work.
• Prepares, and/or reviews monthly, quarterly and yearly statistical reports and ensures statistical information is accurate.
• Maintains accurate records of a variety of documentation including chart notes, correspondence, medical status reports, physical demands analyses, ergonomic analyses and accessibility studies.
• Updates, and when necessary, develops policies and procedures surrounding work accommodation and other rehabilitation issues.
• Works in accordance with the provisions of applicable Health and Safety legislation and all City of Hamilton corporate and departmental policies and procedures related to Occupational Health and Safety.
• Performs other duties as assigned which are directly related to the responsibilities of the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Considerable experience related to work accommodation, return to work/abilities management gained from a functional or abilities-based disability management model.
2. Demonstrated knowledge and experience in disability claims management (STD, LTD and WSIB) leading to early, safe returns to work.
3. Demonstrated experience in human resources in a unionized environment.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of the theories and principles related to one or more of: occupational therapy, occupational health nursing, kinesiology, ergonomics, vocational rehabilitation and work accommodation, normally acquired through the completion of post secondary education in a related discipline, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
5. Knowledge of income protection policies such as STD, LTD and WSIB.
6. Well-developed research, reasoning, analytical and problem-solving skills.
7. Strong working knowledge of the precepts of disability and the duty to accommodate.
8. Practical understanding of the theories/processes related to Attendance Management Programs, Innocent Absenteeism and Frustration of Contract.
9. Flexibility and workload management skills to effectively respond in a quick turnaround environment.
10. Professional, well-developed and highly effective written, verbal, computer and interpersonal skills with an emphasis on customer service.
11. Productive in a team-based setting; self-directed to effectively manage multiple tasks and multiple deadlines.

The City is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. Consistent with our Values and Corporate Culture Pillars, the City of Hamilton is committed to providing equitable treatment to all with respect to barrier-free employment and accommodation without discrimination. The City will provide accommodation for applicants in all aspects of the hiring process, up to the point of undue hardship. If you have an accommodation need, please contact Human Resources as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements.