Ability Advisor

If you are committed to public service, enjoy collaborating with others, share our values and have a desire to learn and grow, join The City of Calgary. City employees deliver the services, run the programs and operate the facilities which make a difference in our community. We support work-life balance, promote physical and psychological safety, and offer competitive wages, pensions, and benefits. Together we make Calgary a great place to make a living, a great place to make a life.

The City is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and equitable workplace which is representative of the community we serve. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and reconciliation. Applications are encouraged from members of groups that are historically disadvantaged and underrepresented. Accommodations are available during the hiring process, upon request.

As an Ability Advisor, you will be the primary Healthy Workplace contact for employees as they move through the health system offering a holistic and pro-active approach to supporting employees who are: healthy at work; working with health challenges; unable to work; on short- or long-term disability leaves; returning to work; and/or working with accommodations. Primary duties include:

• Develop early intervention strategies and return to work (RTW) plans for disability claims to provide positive support to leaders and employees.
• Provide information and referrals, when appropriate and necessary, to employees regarding services, programs, and resources to support their health and well-being.
• Engage and provide insight regarding the interpretation of legislation, policies, procedures, and day-to-day contract and vendor management to help resolve issues that may arise for employees.
• Make consultation referrals for complex cases, while maintaining the employee case to ensure consistency, continuity, and optimize the overall employee experience.
• Collaborate with colleagues in Leader Support, Governance, Labour Relations, Business Advisory Services, Environmental & Safety Management, unions, and others to determine strategies and tactics that best support the positive outcomes for the employee and client.
• Initiate contact with employees in operation-specific areas as part of an early intervention and prevention strategy; promote available benefit and wellness programs and help with service accessibility.
• Monitor and evaluate plans and strategies, making changes as required, based on connections with employees, medical updates, operational business needs, and legislative and/or contractual issues.
• Assess and monitor accommodation positions and jobs demand analyses relative to employee functional abilities to facilitate return to work.
• Manage caseloads of files including opening files within data base management system, updating key communications within that system, and filing appropriately in terms of status.

Qualifications

• A completed 1 year certificate in Disability Management, Human Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, or closely related health discipline and at least 3 years of experience in the management of caseloads for ability management purposes.
• Experience coordinating employee accommodations and/or return to work efforts as well as collaborating with interested parties (for example: leaders, healthcare providers, labour relations) involved in the return of an employee back to work is essential.
• A strong working knowledge of, and the ability to communication effectively the applicable legislation, union/association agreements, disability management principles, concepts, theories, and best practices.
• A valid Class 5 Driver's Licence (or provincial equivalent) and use of a personal vehicle for business use.
• Preference will be given to applicants who possess experience in a large/multi-union environment, accreditation with the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR), and/or a designation such as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR).
• Strong customer service and communication skills, with the ability to display a high level of respect, empathy, and confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and personal information.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive and collaborative working relationships, and effectively work through conflict and emotionally driven situations as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills with sound judgment and decision-making abilities.

Workstyle: This position may be eligible to work from home as one of several flexible work options available to City employees. Such arrangements are based on the operational requirements of the position and employee suitability and are subject to change based on operational needs and corporate direction

Pre-employment Requirements

• Successful applicants must provide proof of qualifications.

Union: CUPE Local 38

Business Unit: Human Resources

Position Type: 1 Temporary (up to 22 months)

Location: 800 Macleod Trail SE

Compensation: Pay Grade 9 $ per hour

Days of Work: This position works a 5 day

work week with 1 day off in a 3 week cycle.

Hours of work: Standard 35 hour work week

Audience: Internal/External

Apply By: December 8, 2025

Job ID #: 312999