Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is inviting applications for a permanent, full-time and a 6-month temporary, full-time position of Health Specialist in Human Resources and Corporate Communications. The term position may become permanent through the business planning process. Once permanency is determined, the incumbent may have their status changed from temporary to permanent without going through a second competition, provided performance expectations are being met.

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality's core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.

Under the direction of the Manager, Health and Wellness, the Health Specialist delivers effective disability case management services to support the reintegration of ill or injured employees back into the workplace. The Health Specialist acts as the coordinator for all stakeholders in facilitating the return to work of employees as well as support services for employees who stay at work during their recovery.

The Health Specialist is the primary point of contact for employees, managers, union representatives and HR personnel for the delivery of disability management and return to work services at the business unit level.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborates to develop, implement and evaluate effective disability management policies, procedures, processes, protocols, education/training, evaluation measures and management reporting mechanisms.
• Provides advice and expertise in partnership with management teams, union reps and HR personnel on case management (health, LTD, attendance support and WCB) to all levels of the organization.
• Acts as a specialized resource in health-related/disability management matters providing consultative services to employees and management staff.
• Draws on thorough knowledge of business units (BU) to ensure disability case management programs and return to work services contribute to their operations and objectives and are integrated with their business plans.
• Works with BUs to develop a bank of modified work opportunities that identify specific job demands.
• Collaborates with BUs for prevention efforts, performance indicators and reducing costs where possible.
• Supports the integration of corporate initiatives and objectives in health and wellness into BU operations and monitors compliance with corporate disability case management policies and procedures.
• Advances escalation process when BUs need additional support following recommended processes.
• Consults with Human Resources Business Partners and Business Unit Managers to establish and maintain standards, goals and objectives for service provisions.
• Key support for advancing the Attendance Support Program for prevention and reducing costs.
• Identifies potential candidate employees for case management and/or accommodation, including coordination of appropriate assessments by health professionals, as well as worksite assessments.
• Assists eligible employees to develop appropriate return to work plans, including graduated return, alternate/modified work and forms of job accommodation.
• Participates in business planning for the HR business unit; strives to identify and implement administrative efficiencies within the HR services provided to clients.
• Acts as primary contact with external agencies providing auxiliary services to support disability management and return to work efforts.
• Contributes to developing a resource network and library to assist in disability management efforts.
• Works in accordance with the provisions of applicable Health and Safety legislation and all municipality corporate policies.
• Identifies, establishes and coordinates employment-related medical assessments and services provided by community health facilities. Delivers formal and informal training around attendance management and disability management.
• Reviews and manages LTD claims, evaluates options and communicates with affected employees.
• Other assigned duties.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience

• Undergraduate degree specializing in Disability Management, Health Recovery, Business, Nursing, Health Administration, Occupational Therapy or a related area of study. Diploma or Certificate Program in Disability Case Management an asset. Related post-graduate studies also an asset.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of broad and progressive experience within the disability case management field in a complex and multi-union environment
• Experience working in a diverse and decentralized organization, ideally in the public sector. Experience in dealing with significant organizational change.
• Management or supervisory experience outside of the human resources field also an asset.

Technical/Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of:

• Applicable NS legislation and regulations
• Effective Health, Safety & Wellness principles
• Disability management principles and best practices
• Labour relations principles and collective agreement administration
• Human resource principles and best practices

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check.

Please note – Testing may be conducted as a component of the selection process to assess technical and job specific knowledge. Candidates, who are selected for testing, may be tested in a group setting, scheduled at the employer’s discretion

Competencies: Networking relationship building, Communication; Analytical Thinking; Organizational awareness; Values and Ethics; Valuing Diversity; Organization and Planning and Decision Making

WORK STATUS: Permanent, Full-time, Temporary, Full-time (up to 6 months)

HOURS OF WORK: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30pm; 35 hours per week

SALARY: Non-Union Level 8, $81,810 - $112,510

WORK LOCATION: 8th Floor, Purdy's Wharf Tower 2, 1969 Upper Water St. Halifax, NS

CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to11:59 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2022.

Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interview/testing will be contacted.

During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) and who require accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Recruiter when invited to the assessment process.