Accommodation Consultant, EHA

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The internal deadline is December 11, 2025 at 11:59pm.

There are two open positions.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Accommodation Consultant is accountable to the Director, Employee Health and Accommodations for the clinical assessment, development and implementation of individualized workplace accommodation plans for employees with disabilities, conditions and/or trauma, based on individual assessments. The Accommodation Consultant is a subject matter expert on workplace accommodations as it relates to the University community, overseeing compliance and mitigating risk, with the University’s responsibilities under the Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code) and its regulations. The incumbent assesses medical documentation and assessments, and conducts clinical interviews with employees seeking accommodations, to explore how the disability or disabling condition affects access and participation in the workplace. The incumbent applies this information, in combination with Ministry requirements, provincial law, industry standards, and clinical judgement to design and facilitate individualized accommodation plans that ensures the University of Waterloo is fulfilling its legal duty to accommodate. The Accommodation Consultant works closely with managers and supervisors to ensure workplace accommodations are implemented, and uphold Bonafide occupational requirements. Collaboration with other campus partners, including (but not limited to) Human Resources, Faculty Planning and Policy, Safety Office, is critical to providing holistic support to employees.

Key Accountabilities

Developing individualized workplace accommodation plans

· Reviewing and assessing employee medical documentation and reports to develop an individualized workplace accommodation plan for employees with disabilities (e.g., mental health disabilities, learning disabilities, medical disabilities, acquired brain injuries, ADHD and trauma), in alignment with the procedural and substantive duty to accommodate under the Code

· Using medical documentation, clinical judgement and decision making, provincial legislation, and standards of practice to design appropriate and individualized workplace accommodation plans on a temporary or ongoing basis, and when returning to work from a medical leave of absence

· Conducting bio-psycho-social interviews with employees to determine how their functional limitations, work role, and work environment influence a need for accommodation

· Counselling employees on workplace accommodations as it relates to their disability, within the scope of the role

· Screening (for suspected disabilities learning disabilities, mental health and ADHD) and making or supporting referrals to appropriate services, within the scope of the role

· Ongoing clinical assessments of employees to determine any changes in condition and accommodations requirements as well any identification of any internal/external supports, within the scope of the role

· Reviewing role and workplace to assess the impact the disability may have while working

· Using clinical judgement and relevant guidelines to determine eligibility and need for specialized funding that supports accommodation

· Provides consultations with managers/supervisors to ensure accommodations are appropriate for the role. If accommodation is believed to interfere with the Bonafide occupational requirements of a role, the Accommodation Consultant will work with manager/supervisor to determine an alternative accommodation that will ensure the needs of the employee are met, while maintaining the requirements of the role

· Support employees and managers/supervisors through the accommodation dispute process

· Coordinating and collaborating with decision-makers for the accommodation dispute process

· Suggesting modifications to the workplace, when deemed appropriate, to ensure it is accessible and that accommodations are upheld

· The consultant provides risk mitigation by ensuring accommodations are being implemented, in accordance with statutory obligations

· Abiding by all legislative and university policies relevant to accommodations planning (e.g., the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the Code) and privacy legislation (e.g., FIPPA, PHIPA).

Facilitate Workplace Accommodations

· Providing coordination between managers/supervisors, Human Resources, and other campus partners regarding the provision of accommodations and support (e.g., facilitating medical leaves of absence), within the scope of the role

· Referring to, and coordinating with, third party disability management providers (e.g., TELUS Health) when needed for adjudication and management of medical leaves of absences, and facilitating return to work accommodation plans

· Collaborating and coordinating with the Campus Accessibility team Adaptive Technologist to ensure employee’s assistive technology needs are supported as part of their accommodation plan.

· Generate accommodation summaries for employees upon request for use with petitions, appeals, etc., Using clinical judgement to consider (and mitigate) the implications of other variables on the accommodation process (e.g., whether there are intersecting Code protected identities/needs)

Ongoing Consulting on Complex Disability-related Issues/Needs

· Consulting with employees seeking or receiving workplace accommodations around complex issues related to specific disabilities

· Consulting with managers/supervisors, Human Resources, Faculty Planning and Policy receiving or seeking workplace accommodations and advising around complex issues related to specific disabilities

· Working closely with other units (e.g., Human Resources, Safety Office, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office, and Conflict Management Office) to provide holistic support for employees in crisis or requiring additional support

· Using clinical judgement to refer employee to on and off campus support services

· Consulting with employees seeking to appeal and/or defer decisions on the basis of disability

· Using clinical judgement to make recommendations to managers/supervisors regarding complex disability or accommodation case management issues

· Working with employees to develop the skills necessary to self-advocate and access campus/community resources that can support their workplace success

· The Accommodation Consultant is committed to best clinical practice regarding workplace accommodations and disabilities and remains current with research, ethical considerations, and evidence-based practice

Collaboration with Partners and Stakeholders

· Providing recommendations to various campus partners regarding workplace accommodations to ensure the University is meeting the duty to accommodate under the Code.

· Collaborating with campus partners to provide seamless service provision, including Human Resources, Safety Office, Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office, Conflict Management Office, and Faculty Planning and Policy

· Collaborating with campus partners to ensure accommodations are appropriately facilitated (e.g., Plant Operations, Sustainable Transportation)

· Collaboration with third-party service providers offering support services (e.g., transcriptionists, interpreters)

· Working with relevant campus partners to facilitate the purchase and provision of accommodation-related equipment and services

· Providing potential applicants with information related to services and accommodations supported by the office

· Develop, leverage, and utilize positive relationships with appropriate on and off campus stakeholders

· Utilize proactive, professional, and effective communications strategies with employees registered with the office as well as the general campus community as appropriate

Handling Sensitive Materials

· Ensure access to secure documents are controlled appropriately

· Ensure data accuracy and document integrity

· Appropriately use and maintain confidential health and case management records in accordance with university policy and relevant Privacy legislation, and in collaboration with the administrative team within the broader Office of the Associate Provost, Campus Support and Accessibility.

· Effectively use systems and technology to manage employee medical information accurately and efficiently

· Direct the return of clinical records to the intended party in a secure manner (appropriate storage and movement of confidential documents) when needed

· Demonstrates consistent compliance with protocols and procedures that ensure access to secure documents are controlled appropriately

· Demonstrates consistent compliance with protocols and procedures that ensures data accuracy and document integrity

· Demonstrate consistent compliance with maintaining confidential health and employee records in accordance with university policy and relevant Privacy legislation

Required Qualifications

Education

· Graduate degree in Social Work, Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Sciences, Nursing, Psychology, or related field is required

· Individual must be registered with a professional college/society recognized in Ontario

Experience

· Experience designing and facilitating accommodations, disability case management support, or services to persons with disabilities, preferably employees with disabilities

· Experience working in a post-secondary context environment is preferred

· Experience and/or training in supporting persons in crisis and securing appropriate support

· Experience working with individuals that have experienced complex mental health and trauma is preferred

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

· Working knowledge of the Registered Health Professionals Act (1991) and/or the Social Work and Social Service Work Act (1998) and control acts

· Working knowledge of the Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code), the Ontario Human Right Commission, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and other relevant legislation.

· Strong knowledge on trauma-informed practice

· Working knowledge of privacy regulations

· Familiarity with the implications of specific disabilities

· An understanding of how the symptoms or functional limitations of a disability interferes with an individual’s daily functioning

· Proven ability to work independently and as a team member in a busy and inter-disciplinary environment

· Excellent communication (oral and written) skills

· Superior organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills required

· Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, particularly in charting and maintaining records

· Proven ability to provide solution-focused interventions

· Negotiation and mediation skills is an asset

· Basic knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

· Familiarity using databases for case management

· A clear Vulnerable Sector Check is required

Equity Statement

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 coordinated 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+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

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.