HR Specialist - Health and Benefits

HR Specialist - Health and Benefits 
Kingston Police is proud to serve the Kingston community of 123,363 residents. We have a dedicated workforce of 198 officers and 60 civilians and are one of the oldest municipal police services in Canada. Our members are guided by the mission and values of the Kingston Police. We are committed to achieving our vision of being among the most progressive, efficient and effective community-oriented police services by developing, supporting and engaging our members. 
 

Position Overview 

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources (HR), the HR Specialist - Health and Benefits is responsible for disability and rehabilitation case management for medical accommodation requests, short term (sick bank) health-related absences, WSIB, and long-term disability claims. This position assesses any barriers to a successful and timely return to work and assists in implementing strategies to address those identified barriers, focusing on a safe return to work or appropriate alternate plan. The HR Specialist-Health and Benefits also administers employee benefits programs and provides support for organizational health and safety, wellness, and peer support programs as required, as well as leads organizational compliance on AODA. 

Key Areas of responsibility – see posting on website for full details 

Disability Management 

• Responsible for case management of employees off work due to non-occupational and occupational illnesses and injuries 
• Manage complex WSIB, non-occupational short term and long-term health or injury claims 
• Administer all WSIB claims including: preparing WSIB documentation, reviewing WSIB decisions, monitoring RTW status, contacting members and/or supervisors to ensure that all the information required is accurately documented, entering data into Parklane information system, and preparing WSIB forms for review and signature 
• Maintain all member medical files 
• Liaise with supervisors and members regarding lost time, modified work and medical clearance requirements as required 
• Identify, coordinate and manage the need for additional health/functional ability assessments to confirm prognosis, appropriateness of medical care received 
• Coordinate graduated return to work and alternate work processes 
• Provide trending reports to evaluate the success of return to work programs and compile and analyze statistical data 
• Monitor, research, analyze and report on changes in WSIB and Human Rights legislation, policies and trends for impact on disability management programs 
• Prepare written materials, such as reports, briefing notes and correspondence related to complex disability cases, program effectiveness and efficiency 
• Maintain Parklane and medical files, ensuring all short and long-term disability cases are logged in system, run regular reports on claim summaries, list of incidents, review dates, utilization, etc. 
• Schedule and review results for fit for duty evaluations and safe guard program 
• Lead organizational compliance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) 
   

Employee Benefits Administration 

• Administer employee benefit programs, including enrolment, maintenance activities, updates and changes in benefits 
• Act as subject matter expert regarding employee benefits including life, health and dental, LTD, EAP and Health Care Spending Accounts 
• Initiate pension related paperwork for new hires, retirements, leaves of absence and optional service purchases for administration by City of Kingston 
• Compile reports related to monthly premium payments and processes payments to insurance carriers 
• Verify that benefit plan billings are correct and that all requested changes in benefits for individual employees have been implemented 
• Liaise with retirees and members regarding life, long term disability, health and dental benefits, as well as health care spending accounts 
• Monitor retiree benefits, including the determination of eligible periods and benefit coverage; investigates and resolves problems 
• Prepare annual letters to retirees requesting payment of premiums for life insurance
• Ensure all waiver of premium requests are submitted as required 
• Monitor, process and provide reporting regarding leaves of absence, including pregnancy and parental 
• Maintain statistical records on benefits usage 
   

Occupational Health & Safety and Employee Wellness 

• Secretary to Joint OHSA committee: coordinate and organize meetings, take minutes, disseminate information 
• Assist in arranging training and education programs as required 
• Track all employee health and wellness initiatives 
• Ensure follow-up on corrective actions identified by Health and Safety Committee 
• Track WSIB claims that need to be investigated to ensure investigation is completed and issues are resolved 
• Ensure workplace harassment and violence policies are met in terms of disseminating required documentation to employees as required 
• Arrange for, log and track ergonomic assessments 
• Develop responsive and proactive wellness initiatives, based on analysis of metrics that provide insight to the health and wellness of employees, e.g. attendance data, EAP usage 
• Initiate, plan and executing wellness events throughout the year 
• Develop communications to staff regarding health, wellness and attendance. 

Education

University degree in a health-related field such as Occupational Health Nursing, Kinesiology or BA in Human Resources Management or 3 year college diploma in Human Resources with certification in disability management or employee benefits 

Qualifications
Joint Health and Safety Certification Part 1 & 2 
Eligibility and willingness to obtain a Certified Return to Work Coordinator or Certified Disability Management Designation from an accredited association, organization and/or institution and/or CEB (Certificate in Employee Benefits) 
Certified HR Professional designation an asset 

Experience
Minimum 5 years’ experience in managing all aspects of a disability management program in a unionized setting 
Experience in the areas of attendance and absence management 
Experience in benefits administration 
Experience working with agencies such as WSIB, insurance companies, physician’s offices and health care and service providers 
Labour relations experience an asset 

Employment Equity 
The Kingston Police hire on the basis of merit and are committed to reflecting the diversity of the Kingston community and Canada. We are committed to non-discriminatory, barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with human rights legislation and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please indicate this in your cover letter or contact Human Resources at 613-549-4660, ext 2287 or 2282.

Although we appreciate all applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

For full details on the position, and to apply, please view the posting on our website: https://www.kingstonpolice.ca/en/careers-and-volunteer/current-opportunities.aspx