Disability, Accommodation & Accessibility Advisor

DUTIES

The Disability, Accommodation & Accessibility Advisor provides comprehensive strategic and operational advice, guidance, and support to Managers, Deans, Directors and VPs and their respective departments and faculties across campus in the areas of disability management, accommodation policies and procedures, and accessibility initiatives.

The Advisor also collaborates to develop and implement best practice HR programs, policies and systems that support the University’s leaders by providing a high-level of service, knowledge and expertise.

This position will provide employee relations counsel and advice to Administrators in the disability, accommodation and accessibility fields.

It will negotiate, oversee and ensure adherence to external contracts and labor agreements, while improving and maintaining Thompson Rivers University’s overall service standards.

Working with external consultants and carriers, this position is responsible for organizational statistics, trending & reporting of disability, accommodation and accessibility programs.

The intended impacts are to further enhance :

• Delivery of timely and cost-effective disability and leave programs for all TRU employees.
• Streamlined processes and consistent application of policies and collective agreements.
• Improved employee engagement through enhanced service, education and support
• Positive relationships between People & Culture, unions and insurance carriers and consultants.
• Reduction in employee lost time due to accident or illness through pro-active return to work programs and processes.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to the organization on TRU’s various disability, accommodation and accessibility programs.
• Develop and implement strategies and processes that will assist in managing disability, accommodation and accessibility provisions throughout the organization and within all departments.
• Conduct comprehensive reviews, surveys and audits of relevant programs from stakeholders to identify barriers or opportunities for growth and improvement in offerings and service levels.

Responsible for analysing trends and statistics and for providing reports to senior managers and the People & Culture department.

• Ensure disability, accommodation and accessibility programs are in alignment with Collective Agreements, employment contracts, Privacy Act(s), Human Rights Act(s), and Duty to Accommodate legislation.
• Maintain awareness of existing legislation, regulations and standards related to accessibility and accommodations for persons with disabilities.

Will also need to remain up to date on emerging issues related to accessibility and accommodation changes and advance in technologies and resources.

• Has an oversight responsibility for work performed by other staff in specific accountability areas. Leads committees, advisory boards or working groups as appropriate.
• Manages short and long-term disability programs including claims and attendance management, tracking and reporting in conjunction with modified and graduated return-to-work processes as well as accommodation needs of faculty and staff across campus were appropriate.
• Liase with treatment providers, physicians and carriers where necessary to clarify and employees’ ability to engage in work duties on a modified, gradual, accommodated or complete return to work strategy.

This will include close working relations with partners in Occupational Safety and Emergency Management as it relates to WorkSafe time loss incidents on campus.

• In liaison with the Accessibility Committee members and leadership, will represent People & Culture’s involvement in accessibility programming on campus and will serve as an advisor for other departmental leaders to promote accessibility and its involvement in the planning and implementation of new and existing services on campus.
• Identify, develop and deliver strategic program improvements to create efficiencies and build alignment while monitoring the communication and effectiveness of those programs to improve delivery.
• Develop and deliver education materials and information sessions for managers, faculty and staff regarding disability, accommodation and accessibility management provisions and strategies.
• Will work in consultation and coordination with TRU’s Wellness Centre and the Campus Wellness Advisor in People & Culture, to assist the organization in identifying and implementing strategies that will reduce health risks and create a healthier working environment.
• In partnership with the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Anti-Racism the Disability, Accommodation & Accessibility Advisor will work with other People & Culture partners to respond to individual disclosures or concerns from faculty and staff by providing support and referrals based on individual needs.

This position will serve as the key point of contact within People & Culture department on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Anti-Racism issues as necessary to ensure campus compliance with new and existing policies and procedures.

REPORTS TO

Director, Total Rewards, Engagement & Well-Being

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline.
• A Certificate in Disability Management, Return to Work, or Employee Benefits is preferred.
• 3 years’ experience working with disability management, accommodation, or accessibility programs in a complex, multi-union environment.
• Proven ability in building collaborative working relationships with employees at all levels, including union representatives.
• Strong interpersonal, problem solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to identify clients’ needs and provide advice, guidance and planning related to a variety of initiatives that support strategic directions.
• Proven ability to work as an integral member of a highly functioning human resources team to deliver high quality services to the University’s communities.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Strong computer knowledge (Microsoft Office Suite, CANVA, Banner / Argos, Deltek, 3rd party administrative software applications).
• Working knowledge of WorkSafe BC, Human Rights and Occupational Health and Safety legislation & provisions.
Il y a plus de 30 jours