12042 - Director, Employee Health and Accommodations

Department
Campus Support and Accessibility
Employment Type
Permanent
Time Type
Full-Time
Hiring Range
$98,958 - $123,697
Job Category
Other

Reporting to the Associate Provost, Campus Support and Accessibility, the Director, Employee Accommodation and Wellbeing is responsible for providing strategic leadership, oversight, and effective management of the Employee Health and Accommodation department, which is the University’s centralized office for the management of employee accommodations, and a central hub of resources and supports that promote employee health and well-being. The incumbent will serve as the strategic and operational leader responsible for offering and promoting programs and services that promote an accessible and healthy workplace environment that accommodates and supports the wellbeing of all employees. The position will serve as a subject matter expert offering guidance to the University about its obligations and responsibilities in meeting the legal duty to accommodate employees on all grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code. This helps mitigate risk for the institution while increasing employee retention, engagement, and participation in the work environment. The meaningful participation and inclusion of all employees in the workplace is critical to the University’s mission and strategic initiatives.

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Provides overall management and administration of the Employee Health and Accommodations department, which includes being accountable for fulfilling the University’s legal duty to accommodate employees, as well as maintaining coordinated and high performing programs and services delivered within the unit
• Provides leadership of the overall vision and strategy for the Employee Health and Accommodations department; establishing the mission, vision, and values in alignment with the Institution and internal/external requirements
• Implements, monitors and reviews the department’s strategic plans and goals
• Ensures the department’s operation meets and adheres to all relevant privacy legislations, human rights law, accessibility legislation, Occupational health and Safety requirements, and industry standards of practice
• Remains aware of trends within workplace environments (provincially, nationally and internationally) and interpret how various external factors influence the University and the department
• Provides forward-thinking and tactical leadership by using data/trends for proactive rather than reactive responses to employee needs and rights

Expertise and Guidance on Meeting the Legal Duty to Accommodate (Compliance)

• Offers subject matter expertise in applying the legal duty to accommodate in the workplace, as per the Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code), the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s interpretation of the Code, the Health and Safety Act, and other related laws and regulations
• Provides strategic advice to the campus community (i.e., senior leaders, people managers) on the duty to accommodate and the threshold for undue hardship (as defined by the Code)
• Offers sound advice and guidance to the larger institution around identifying and mitigating legal risks related to workplace accommodation planning
• Provides professional expertise and leadership in accommodation planning, ensuring procedures are delivered in accordance with University policy, and legislative requirements
• Provides clinical direction to the Occupational Health team on ways to manage challenging and/or complex cases, and in some instances, assume responsibility for the case. This will involve validating and assessing employee private health information; engaging in client screening through clinical assessments; conducting risk assessment and crisis management when needed; developing/facilitating accommodation and return to work plans; and liaising with health care providers and stakeholders as required
• Offers clinical and strategic guidance, recommendations and decisions regarding employee accommodations to people managers seeking to resolve complex and litigious cases. This involves offering advice and guidance on upholding the duty to accommodate to the point of undue hardship
• Compiles evidence and relevant documentations to be used in litigation and at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. May serve as a witness representing the University
• Establishes consistent and professional standards including procedures and guidelines for accommodations, particularly on grounds other than disability/medical
• Works closely with campus partners to provide holistic care and support for employees in crisis or requiring additional support

Campus Partner Support & Strategic Collaborations

• Collaborate with campus partners to promote a safe, accessible, and healthy workplace environment
• Collaborate with campus partners offering programs and services related to employee health and wellbeing to enable the Department to serve as a central hub for employee wellness
• Offers expertise at ‘case consults’ and other collaborative meetings that support employee’s holistic health and provides seamless service provision
• Collaborate with campus partners to offer efficient and effective services that promote navigation ease
• Develops/leverages positive relationships with appropriate on and off campus stakeholders
• Contributes to campus policy development and cross-campus committees related to employee accommodations and wellbeing
• Offers input into the University’s strategic plan and various pan-university strategic initiatives with the goal to create and promote an accessible and inclusive work environment

Financial Management, Reporting, and Assessment

• Remain current on the budget’s status as well as all changes in funding resources or potential resources
• Provide annual financial and programming reports as needed
• Responsible for the timely and accurate collection, analysis and reporting of relevant information (internal and external) for funding, continuous improvement, and to assist with campus- wide decision-making
• Collaborate with other areas on campus to track employee retention, performance and satisfaction
• Use data and program evaluation to determine the direction of the department

Human Resource Management

• Meets individually and collectively with team members for supervision with an emphasis on clinical consultation, case file reviews, and professional growth and development
• Provides a supportive environment that encourages productivity and staff success, as well as efficient and healthy workload management while meeting service targets
• Engaging in effective and equitable recruitment selection procedures and standards
• Focusing team effectiveness on University of Waterloo goals, and departmental mission and vision
• Development of team members with an emphasis on clinical development and coaching
• Leading with a collaborative, relationship-based, growth mindset
• Facilitating staff annual performance appraisals and addressing performance management needs of staff

Handling Sensitive Information

• Ensure overall access to private health information (documents and systems) and confidential/sensitive material are appropriately controlled
• Ensure appropriate use and storage of confidential health records in accordance with University policy and relevant privacy legislation
• Ensure the effective use of systems and technology to manage private health information accurately and efficiently, including data accuracy and document integrity within database and case-notes
• Direct the return of clinical records to the intended party in a secure manner (appropriate storage and movement of confidential documents) when needed

• Postsecondary education in rehabilitative health sciences, nursing, social work or related field. Graduate degree is an asset
• Individual must be registered with a professional college/society recognized in Ontario
• 5+ years’ direct experience assessing medical/rehabilitative documentation to determine eligibility for accommodations, and to design accommodation and support plans
• 5+ year’s direct experience in accommodation planning and managing complex and litigious accommodation cases. Experience with employment accommodations is an asset
• 3 years’ progressive management experience leading a multi-disciplinary and clinical team
• Experience interpreting and applying the Ontario Human Rights’ Code (i.e., the duty to accommodate to the point of undue hardship) to all protected grounds (e.g., Creed, family status)
• Experience successfully managing strategic initiatives and leading business process improvements
• Experience working with clients experiencing a crisis
• Advanced understanding of the Ontario Human Rights Code (theory and practice), particularly, how it applies to the duty to accommodate employees with disabilities and other protected grounds
• Strong working knowledge of privacy regulations (FIPPA), the Registered Health Professionals Act (1991), the Social Work and Social Service Work Act (1998) (if relevant) and control acts
• Advanced understanding of how the symptoms or functional limitations of a disability (as well as intersecting identities) interferes with an individual’s daily functioning
• Advanced understanding of the functional limitations and barriers experienced by persons on grounds protected by the Code (e.g., creed, family status) which may require accommodations
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a busy and inter-disciplinary environment
• Excellent communication (oral and written) skills. Ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and calmly
• Exceptional organizational, problem-solving and interpersonal skills required
• Proven ability to provide solution-focused interventions
• Demonstrated ability to exercise judgement, tact and discretion in preparing, disclosing and handling information of a confidential and/or sensitive nature
• Strategic and tactical thinking; ability to weigh risks and applying sound judgement to decision making
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Familiarity using databases for case management
• Demonstrated ability to research, compile and analyze complex information
• Vulnerable Sector Check required

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.