Abilities and Wellness Specialist

Abilities and Wellness Specialist

The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) is the fourth largest school board in Ontario and a major employer in one of Canada’s fastest growing regions. Our inclusive and diverse board serves 83,000 students and employs nearly 12,000 staff across the City of London, Elgin, Middlesex and Oxford Counties, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Munsee-Delaware Nation and Oneida Nation of the Thames. We offer competitive benefits including a pension program and comprehensive mental health and well-being support. Best of all, every role at TVDSB directly supports the success of children and families in YOUR community. Join TVDSB to build each student's tomorrow, every day!

ABILITIES AND WELLNESS SPECIALIST

JOB TITLE: Abilities and Wellness Specialist
LOCATION: Education Centre, London
SALARY RANGE: $79,594 - $105,260 (Subject to Review)
HIRING RANGE: $79,594 – $101,589
DATE OF VACANCY:Immediate
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 2026 July 31 at 4:00 p.m.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Abilities and Wellness Specialist minimizes the adverse effects of disability and absence to individuals and the organization. The incumbent provides disability, claims and case management for ill or injured employees, supports employees to remain at work during recovery, and designs, coordinates and implements return-to-work plans.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership, counsel, support, and resources to all workplace parties regarding medical absence, accommodation and attendance support processes.
• Support a culture of well-being that promotes regular attendance at work by developing innovative strategies to address absenteeism challenges that positively impact attendance
• Support and coach employees on strategies to improve and maintain positive attendance, including the promotion of the Board's EFAP and wellness resources
• Interpret and assess an individual’s physical/cognitive function and develop an individualized case management plan.
• Coordinate and facilitate return-to-work meetings/attendance support meetings to implement safe return-to-work plans utilizing best practice, and participate in ongoing evaluations/adjustments to ensure a successful outcome
• Utilize analytical thinking to identify and respond to emergent, confidential, complex, and highly sensitive issues regarding attendance support, medical absence and ensure appropriate documentation.
• Participate in WSIB appeals/Human Rights/ Labour Relations arbitrations, including file data analysis in collaboration with administration and legal counsel recognizing the medical legal parameters.

WORK PERFORMED:

• Provide comprehensive case management for ill or injured employees.
• Review employment medicals and liaise with medical practitioners.
• Determine if sufficient medical information has been provided to support absence.
• Coordinate time sensitive Return to Work and Attendance Support meetings on or off site.
• Organize referrals to appropriate health care support including rehabilitation programs and community supports.
• Maintain contact with employees appropriate to case management protocols and policy.
• Administer as needed the WSIB/Non-Occupational and Attendance Support claims process.
• Develop and evaluate rehabilitation programs for employees absent with illness or injury.
• Administer the Return-to-Work and Attendance Support processes according to policy and collective agreement.
• Coordinate and evaluate Employee Assistance Programs and make recommendations.
• Prepare statistical and cost analysis reports related to employee absences.
• Provide information to employees about how to effectively manage disabilities.
• Provide health and wellness and attendance management counselling.
• Prepare and review correspondence.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

• Working knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and medical terminology.
• Knowledge of community resources (treatment, investigation, supports, independent medical examinations).
• Familiarity and experience with Attendance Support, Disability Management, Case Management and Claims Management.
• Strong time management, negotiation/mediation, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to interpret and apply applicable laws (WSIB/Charter of Human Rights/Labour. Employment Standards Act, AODA.
• Knowledge of Parklane computer database software an asset.
• Ability to identify concerns and problem-solve situations.
• Proficient in computer systems such as Outlook 365, MS Office Suite, etc.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work both independently and part of a team.
• Completion of a three (3) year post-secondary program in health care, disability management or a related field or equivalent.
• Minimum of three (3) years human resources or related experience in a similar level position capacity, ideally in a diverse, unionized, educational or public sector environment

Please note it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is received by Human Resources on or before the deadline date. This posting is for a permanent new vacancy.

Thames Valley does not utilize any assistive technology in the recruitment and selection process.

The recruitment process requires a criminal background check for work with vulnerable persons, at your own expense. In accordance with regulations, this will be an ongoing expectation of employment for TVDSB employees every five years of employment.

If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas or degrees assessed against Canadian education standards. This will enable you to provide proof of Canadian equivalency when applying for a job. The Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada is a membership organization that offers fair and credible academic credential assessment services in Canada. (NOTE: This is different from translating credentials into English).

The Thames Valley District School Board is committed to equity and inclusion in the recruitment of qualified staff who reflect and support the diverse perspectives, experiences and needs of our students and school communities. The Thames Valley District School Board seeks to ensure that all recruiting processes are non-discriminatory and barrier-free and will provide accommodations to applicants in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Please inform the Human Resources team member indicated below of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you require.

Please use the "APPLY FOR THIS POSITION" link below to submit your electronic application. Only applications submitted using this link will be considered.

A. Pease, Staffing Specialist, Human Resources

We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.