Disability Management Consultant
Company:
Finning CanadaNumber of Openings:
1Worker Type:
PermanentPosition Overview:
Finning Canada is currently recruiting for a Disability Management Consultant. Disability Management Consultants are a key member of a specialized team responsible for delivering highâquality, proactive support to employees experiencing illness or injury. This role manages a highâvolume portfolio of complex cases, including challenging accommodations, alcoholâ and drugârelated cases, and intricate WCB matters across multiple jurisdictions.This position requires a highly independent, selfâdirected professional who can assume responsibility for a complex caseload, quickly adapt to internal systems, and operate effectively in a fastâpaced environment. The consultant collaborates closely with employees, HR Business Partners, line management, and external service providers while leading specialized returnâtoâwork planning and resolution discussions. Success in this role requires advanced judgment, strong analytical capability, and the ability to navigate sensitive and multifaceted disability cases with professionalism and expertise.
This is permanent, fullâtime position could be based out of Finningâs Edmonton Head Office or Calgary branch office, operating in a hybrid work model with three days per week in the office.
Job Description:
Major Job Functions:Â
Manage longerâduration and complex occupational and nonâoccupational disability filesâincluding STD, LTD, workplace injuries, alcohol and drugârelated cases, accommodation requests, modified work, and other medical leavesâfrom initiation to resolution, ensuring timely and effective communication with all stakeholders.
Provide consultation and education on disability processes and relevant legislation (privacy, Duty to Accommodate, workersâ compensation, etc.).
Develop, update, and recommend improvements to procedures, policies, and best practices; identify gaps and propose solutions.
Participate in and lead project work as required.
Collaborate with the STD/LTD administrator to ensure accurate and consistent application of plan provisions and standard operating guidelines.
Build and maintain professional relationships with provincial workersâ compensation bodies to ensure legislative compliance.
Provide expert consultation to HR, Environment, Health & Safety, Operations, and other partners on disabilityârelated matters including Duty to Accommodate, WCB, Human Rights, Performance Management, Workplace Accommodation, Alcohol and Drug, and Attendance Management.
Apply privacy legislation appropriately, ensuring confidential information is managed and released correctly.
Resolve disability files while balancing the needs of all stakeholders and organizational requirements.
Consider financial impacts and provide fiscally responsible recommendations.
Assess the need, effectiveness, and costâbenefit of Independent Medical Evaluations, Functional Capacity Evaluations, and Worksite Assessments.
Engage in and influence difficult conversations to drive solutions and resolution.
Make timely decisions while balancing analysis with stakeholder needs.
Quickly synthesize information from multiple sources to make logical, informed recommendations.
Demonstrate a collaborative, customerâserviceâfocused approach.
Communicate facts, policies, and procedures diplomatically while maintaining confidentiality.
Ensure efficient and effective management of leave and returnâtoâwork programs.
Maintain complete, accurate, and compliant case files; review and release files appropriately upon employee request.
Build and maintain professional relationships with vendors, monitor contract compliance, and escalate concerns when necessary.
Mandatory (Must-Have) Skills:Â
Post-secondary education in a relevant field
Minimum 7 years of broad disability management experience
Professional designation and/or industry specific training
Experience in a unionized environment
Comprehensive knowledge of disability management principles and best practices
Proficient in MS Office applications and internal systems
Strong fileâmanagement skills, ensuring accurate, confidential, and secure documentation
Ability to interpret medical reporting related to work restrictions and develop medical questionnaires when needed to confirm fitness for work and identify restrictions/limitations
Identify and confirm work-related functional limitations or restrictions and incorporate them into a return-to-work plan while working collaboratively with the employee and leader, union and HR
Coaching, training, and mentoring skills, including the ability to guide team members, HR peers, and leaders and escalate issues appropriately
Conflict resolution - focus on interest-based outcomes, facilitating/participate in difficult discussions, identify roles and follow up actions
Ability to provide information to LR/Legal and prepare written responses for grievances, WCB claim appeals/costârelief requests, and information requests from external parties (lawyers, insurance companies, Human Rights bodies, etc.).
Preferred (Non-Mandatory) Skills:
Understanding of and ability to promote employee health through early intervention initiatives and modified work opportunities.
Comprehensive knowledge of Standard Operating Guidelines (Sun Life), STD plan administration, WCB legislation and procedures, and specialized services such as GreenShield.
Knowledge of Alcohol and Drug Policy, testing requirements, and expertise in managing substanceâuseârelated disability files, including assessments, treatment coordination, and collaborative returnâtoâwork planning.
Understanding of leave and disability processes and the role of external service providers, including WCB.
Strong understanding of the roles and responsibilities of Human Resources, Environment, Health & Safety, line management, and employees, with the ability to collaborate and shift tasks appropriately.
 Soft Skills:
Ability to develop and maintain credible working relationships with internal stakeholders (employees, leaders, HR peers) and external service providers while ensuring compliance with service contracts.
Advanced communication skills, including clear expectationâsetting, interpersonal communication, negotiation, problemâsolving, and analytical abilities; strong written and verbal communication is essential.
Ability to review, develop, and continuously improve best practices, procedures, and policies.
Experience contributing to or leading project work.
At Finning, we prioritize creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we actively encourage all individuals to express themselves and achieve their full potential. As a company, we continuously strive to enhance our outreach to individuals of all backgrounds and identities. We do not discriminate against applicants based on gender identity, race, national and ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital and family status, and/or mental or physical disabilities. Furthermore, Finning is committed to collaborating with and providing reasonable accommodations /adjustments to individuals with disabilities. If you require an adjustment/accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please inform your recruiter.