Ability & Wellness Specialist (2026-MP-12)

POSITION TITLE:  Ability and Wellness Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Human Resources / Employee Safety and Wellness

SALARY RANGE $93,709 to $106,487

The University of Windsor is situated on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations: the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomie. We respect the longstanding relationships with First Nations people in this place in the 100-mile Windsor-Essex peninsula and the straits – les détroits – of Detroit.

WHO WE ARE:
The University of Windsor (the University or UWindsor) is a globally relevant, regionally focused University that welcomes over 16,000 students in a range of comprehensive and research-intensive graduate and undergraduate programs. The University consists of eight academic faculties, which include Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Science; Human Kinetics; Education; Law; Engineering; Nursing; and Business. The UWindsor campus is home to a medical program offered by Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. The University employs a passionate and dedicated faculty and staff, numbering approximately 2,500, of whom approximately 600 are tenured or tenure-track faculty.

The University’s unique position on an international border between Canada and the United States has contributed to its identity as a diverse university community providing rich cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities for faculty and students. The University is a key player in a wide range of distinctive industrial, entrepreneurial, and cultural activities throughout the City of Windsor and Essex County, and in an evolving network of international academic and industrial partnerships, particularly with leading American universities in Michigan.

Why Join the University of Windsor?
We are committed to creating an exceptional employee experience grounded in well-being, professional growth, and work–life balance. As a valued member of our community, you will have access to a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family, including:
• Health & Dental Benefits: Extensive coverage to support preventative care and ongoing health needs.
• Out-of-Province/Out-of-Country Coverage: Travel with confidence knowing you are protected beyond Ontario.
• Pension Plan: Participation in a pension plan that supports long-term financial security and retirement planning.
• Tuition Remission: Reduced-cost tuition to help you pursue further education and professional development (for yourself and dependents up to age 26)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for mental health, family matters, financial planning, and overall well-being.
• Toldo Lancer Centre Membership: Complimentary access to state-of-the-art fitness and recreation facilities on campus.
• Employee Discounts: Exclusive savings across a variety of vendor and community programs.

Join an institution that values people, purpose, and lifelong learning — and build a career where you can thrive.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting to the Occupational Health and Safety Manager, the Ability and Wellness Specialist is responsible for leading and coordinating comprehensive disability case management and workplace accommodation processes for both occupational and non-occupational cases. This role serves as the primary liaison among employees, department leaders, unions, healthcare providers, and external partners to ensure timely, effective, and legally compliant support for employees requiring medical leave, disability accommodation, or return-to-work planning. Through expert guidance, collaborative problem-solving, and adherence to relevant legislation, including the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA), and collective agreements, the incumbent promotes a safe, inclusive, and supportive work environment. Additionally, the role contributes to policy development, program evaluation, and training initiatives that enhance employee wellness, ergonomic practices, and organizational capacity for sustainable ability management.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
The successful candidate will have:
• Requirement of a University degree, or a community college diploma in a related field (e.g., Occupational Health and Safety, Disability Management, or Human Resources)
• A minimum of 3 years of practical experience in a workplace accommodation or disability management role within a unionized environment, including direct experience in facilitation of return to work and accommodation
• Strong working knowledge of governing legislation, including the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA), the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) Workplace Safety & Insurance Act and Regulations (WSIB)
• Experience in the development and delivery of training related to accommodating employees in the workplace
• Experience working with Physical Demands Analyses
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with a team and independently with minimal supervision
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to multi-task and commit to strict deadlines

Since 1963, the University of Windsor has been a forward-looking community that comes together to study, to learn, to teach, and to serve. Our symbol is the bridge; our vista is cross-border; our commitment is local; and our impact is global. We are a dynamic, inclusive community of higher learning with roots going back more than 160 years and with a future full of promise.

In pursuit of the University's commitment to employment equity, members from the designated groups including women, Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), racialized persons/visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity are encouraged to apply and to self-identify.

If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Talent & Workforce Team ([email protected]). Should you require further information on accommodation, please visit the website of the Office of Human Rights, Conflict Resolution and Mediation (OHRCRM).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in the University of Windsor, however, only those under consideration will be contacted. Applications submitted through employment agencies will not be considered.