Abilities Specialist

Permanent, full-time position

This career opportunity with the Peel District School Board (PDSB) will be of interest to a qualified and experienced professional seeking to make a difference in facilitating employee well-being and the achievement of healthy workplace goals.

Reporting to the Senior Partner, Abilities, Wellness and Attendance, you’ll support the Board’s Employee Well-Being and Healthy Workplace Strategy programs, Childhood Disease Protocol, and requests for ergonomic and assistive devices. More specifically, you’ll support the case management process of health promotion, non-complex cases of medical leaves, as well as return-to-work and workplace accommodations. This will include providing intake assessment to review all medical documentation, advising when additional information is required in a timely manner, charting medical documentation in Parklane, determining an appropriate course of action, and either approving non-complex cases or providing referral to the appropriate Abilities Partner.

As an Abilities Specialist, you’ll put to good use your detail orientation and gift for communication, as we’ll count on you to respond to queries from employees, supervisors and unions while protecting confidential information, prepare and distribute absence reports, initiate and document contact with employees, maintain accurate, up-to-date data, and prepare file summaries for legal proceedings. This role also involves providing guidance to schools in support of the communicable disease protocol, maintaining lists and information on the intranet, performing basic ergonomic assessments, and maintaining an inventory of ergonomic devices.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

With a post-secondary diploma or degree related to Human Resources, Legal Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Business, Public Policy, Disability Management, Kinesiology or Occupational Therapy, or equivalent related education and work experience, you’re well prepared for success as an Abilities Specialist. Your valuable contributions in this role will also be supported by the following:

• A minimum of one (1) to two (2) years of public sector, human resources, client case management, customer service, and/or ergonomics experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of human resources practices and processes, collective agreements, legislation specific to W.S.I.B, O.H.S.A., Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Employment Standards Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
• Excellent interpersonal abilities to enable effective interaction with employees, management, unions, third-party insurance carriers, and medical professionals on sensitive and confidential issues
• Excellent organization, time management, problem-solving and record-keeping skills
• Excellent analytical and research skills, with demonstrated attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to deal with constant demands, deadlines and interruptions
• Advanced computer skills with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Visio)
• Demonstrated commitment to working in a diverse school community and/or work environment.

ASSETS:

• Professional designation such as, but not limited to: Disability Management Professional (CDMP), Return to Work Coordinator (CRTWC) or Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP/L), Human Resources Certificate, Disability Management Certificate/Diploma, Paralegal, or Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN)
• Familiarity with Parklane.

Salary range: $61,522 - $76,904 per annum

To apply for the position of Abilities Specialist, please complete an online application through Apply To Education. Your completed application package on Apply to Education must include your cover letter, resume and supporting educational credentials. Applications must be received no later than 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 13, 2021.

The Peel District School Board (PDSB) is a racially, culturally and linguistically diverse board that serves 155,000+ students and approximately 17,000 employees. We have 257 schools, 217 of which are elementary and 42 are secondary. In PDSB, 87% of students are racialized, non-white, representing 162 different ethnic backgrounds. Students in Peel have 121 different first languages. Student diversity also exists in terms of gender and gender expression, sexuality, ability and faith. A responsive and empathetic understanding of the lived experiences of the students and communities we serve is vital to those who will take on leadership roles within the PDSB. The workforce consists of teachers, office staff, custodial staff, education assistants and professional staff. The workforce is largely unionized, with the majority of employees belonging to numerous bargaining units. The Board’s strategic plan includes four pillars: high expectations for achievement; parent, community and staff engagement; equity and inclusion; and safe, positive healthy climate/well-being. Although Equity and Inclusion is a separate pillar within the strategic plan, equity and inclusion is also the lens through which all areas of the strategic plan must be seen, internalized and understood. The Board is committed to equity, inclusion, and dismantling systemic inequities that lead to marginalization and oppression of students from specific identity groups and with certain lived experiences.

We appreciate the interest of all applicants, but will only be contacting candidates whose skills, experience and qualifications best meet the requirements of the position.

Criminal Background Check

Successful candidates must provide a satisfactory Criminal Background Check prior to commencing employment. Please review the requirements for the Criminal Background Check.

Commitment to Equity, Anti-Oppression and Anti-Racism

The Peel District School Board is committed to equity in employment. We are committed to equitable hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the full diversity of the Region of Peel. We will provide reasonable accommodation (e.g. an accessible location, rescheduling of interviews that fall on Days of Significance, etc.) based on any of the human rights protected grounds, during the hiring process if advised in advance.

We are also committed to inclusion, anti-oppression and anti-racist practices while also supporting the continuous growth and development of an equitable and empowered education system at the PDSB.