Apply By: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 11:59 pm EDT

Return to Work Specialist

Job ID:
233396
Organization:
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
Division:
RTW North East
City:
Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener, London, North Bay, Ottawa, Sault Ste Marie, St Catharines, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Toronto, Windsor
Position(s) language:
English
Job term:
1 Permanent
Job code:
WSIB/11 - WSIB
Salary:
$77,008.00 - $96,261.00 Per year

‘Day in the life' / ‘Return to Work Specialist'

About the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

We're here to help. When an injury or illness happens on the job, we move quickly to provide wage-loss benefits, medical coverage and support to help people get back to work. Funded by businesses, we also provide no-fault collective liability insurance and access to industry-specific health and safety information. We are one of the largest insurance organizations in North America covering over five million people in more than 300,000 workplaces across Ontario. For more information, visitwsib.ca..

At the WSIB, you'll have the opportunity to:
• explore many career paths and follow your passion
• continuously learn and grow professionally
• be recognized for the great work you do
• participate in programs that support your health and wellbeing

You'll also receive a competitive salary, along with a comprehensive benefit package and defined benefit pension plan.

Bilingual designated roles- You may be eligible to receive a language bonus payment.

Salary Grade: 213 From: $97,184.05

Our priority is the health and wellness of employees and the people of Ontario. The WSIB model mixes working from home, office and field.

Recruiting for current and future Unilingual & Bilingual vacancies in the following locations:

Toronto, Hamilton, Guelph, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Ottawa, St. Catharines, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, North Bay Thunder Bay, Timmins, Windsor

About the job

Job Summary:

Lead return-to- work (RTW) activities for cases at risk in order to drive RTW outcomes. Ensure suitable and sustainable RTW outcomes are achieved through customized coordination of the right services at the right time, and by applying a customer-centric approach. Achieve optimal outcomes and promote leading RTW practices through the delivery of innovative and specialized services.

On a practical level, you would:
1. Provide information to the injured/ill person and their employer on the return-to-work process as well as educate both of the workplace parties on their rights and obligations.
2. Identify issues that present obstacles to the return-to-work and the intervention(s) required to overcome them and achieve positive return-to-work outcomes.
3. Help the injured/ill person and their employer to develop a plan for their return to their pre-injury job – with or without accommodations.
4. Provide expert advice, vocational rehabilitation planning, and support for the injured/ill person and their employer in coordinating their return-to-work, which may include further accommodations and/or transition to a different job with their employer or with a new employer if necessary.

What you bring to the team


Mandatory requirements

Education:

• University degree at the undergraduate level with a specialty focus in a discipline related to the job (RTW).
• A Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) or completion of CDMP certification within the first three years of WSIB employment in the Specialist, Return to Work Program position.
• Valid Ontario G class driver's license or valid Class 5 license for Quebec residents.

This position is currently eligible for an education equivalency. Additional years of experience will be considered in place of levels of education on a 2:1 basis. For every level of education not completed, an additional 2 years of experience will be considered as equivalent, in addition to the minimum prior years of experience as set out in the job requirements. Management has set a minimum threshold for education equivalency at the University level.
University degree at undergraduate level and 3 years experience in return to work, disability management, vocational rehabilitation or alternate dispute resolution or clinical experience with a focus on rehabilitation

Experience:

• One year prior experience in return to work, disability management, vocational rehabilitation or alternate dispute resolution or clinical experience with a focus on rehabilitation.

As a precondition of employment, the WSIB requires that prospective candidates undergo a criminal records name check any time before or after they are hired.

1) Represent, Promote and Cultivate WSIB's leading Return-to-Work Brand through:

• Representing WSIB and acting as Brand Ambassadors, promoting WSIB's leading Return-to-Work Program and as aligned with the leading professional guidelines of organizations such as the International Social Security Association (ISSA).
• Professionally recommending, educating and applying evidence-based, internal and industry-supported leading practices that lead to optimal RTW outcomes and promote the prevention of injury/illness and disease.
• Maintaining collective and individual professionalization requirements pertaining to accepted WSIB credentials; this includes obtaining the CDMP certification within the first two years of WSIB employment.

2) Apply a customer-centric approach, educate workplace parties and customers on:

• Disability management, return-to-work principles and leading practices, the benefits of early and safe RTW, the RTW process, the employer's and worker's rights and obligations under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Act and under relevant policies.
• WSIB's comprehensive suite of innovative RTW services and products, in addition to research-supported and industry-recognized resources.;

3) Evaluate, assess and interpret case needs by:

• Gathering information through a disability management lens, using a holistic approach and working in collaboration with internal and external customers, determine the most appropriate customer-centric approach to RTW;
• Considering and arranging appropriate assessments to develop a RTW plan based on the right services at the right time.
• Applying early and safe RTW principles to determine an optimal approach for specialized cases (e.g. Mental Health, English as Second Language) including: conducting research; identifying risk factors which would signal barriers to return-to-work, formulating innovative RTW options and leading practice approaches;

4) Planning, making and communicating decisions by:

• Collaborating with internal and external customers, representatives, health care community partners and related providers/resources; assess RTW Plan and goal dates in collaboration with all involved WSIB staff, providing guidance, advice and direction to support return-to-work;
• Driving for successful RTW outcomes by coordinating and facilitating worksite meetings to lead RTW discussions; identifying, clarifying and assisting in the resolution of any and all issues/barriers relevant to the RTW process;
• Determining and assigning accountability for implementation of all resolutions; reviewing, assessing potential RTW opportunities to determine: job suitability; recommend and approve appropriate accommodations and/or assistive devices;
• Making and communicating RTW decisions that enable a return-to-work; communicating decisions verbally and in writing; providing education on rights and obligations under the Act. Responding to worker and employer's requests for clarification and/or reconsideration specific to RTW services; monitoring employer and worker compliance in RTW Plans; communicating RTW Plan details to all parties.

5) Manage, Monitor and Secure ongoing sustainability of RTW planning through:

• Establishing a customer-centric follow up system to oversee goal-oriented plans; develop post RTW meeting interventions to ensure Plan remains focused on identified outcome.
• Initiating and leading case conferences with internal and external customers to review RTW options; where barriers exist, continue to work towards optimal solution; liaising with internal and external providers to gather information towards resolving barriers (i.e. health care community)
• Coordinating additional interventions as appropriate to drive the case forward and ensure continued communication with all customers for the successful implementation and sustainment of the RTW Plan

6) Perform required functions for caseload and RTW Plan management including:

• Implementing an effective documentation and follow up system to ensure optimal caseload management
• Documenting all related RTW activities using WSIB systems
• Responding to inquiries in a timely fashion within expectations;
• Maintaining an effective proven case management system to handle competing and changing case priorities.

7) Perform other related duties as assigned or required.

Application Instructions:

To apply, submit your application by the closing date here: https://www.wsib.ca/en/careers

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer  accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please  contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:


Additional information:

Apply by:
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 11:59 pm EDT
Position details:
  • 1 English Permanent, Hamilton, West Region or Toronto, Toronto Region or Guelph, West Region or Kingston, East Region or Kitchener, West Region or London, West Region or Ottawa, East Region or St Catharines, West Region or Sault Ste Marie, North Region or Sudbury, North Region or North Bay, North Region or Thunder Bay, North Region or Timmins, North Region or Windsor, West Region
Compensation group:
Excluded
Work hours:
Category:
Health and Social Services
Posted on:
Friday, August 8, 2025

Note:

  • This posting is for an organization that is not a part of the Ontario Public Service. The information and tips on the Ontario Public Service Careers website may not apply to this posting. Please use the contact information below to contact the organization directly if you have questions.
  • Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

    We respect and value the diversity of our people. We strive to create an environment where employees can be themselves and where our differences are celebrated.
    The WSIB is committed to being accessible and inclusive, and following barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know when we contact you and we will work with you to meet your needs.

    Disclosing conflicts of interest
    As public servants, employees at the WSIB have a responsibility to act in an ethical way at all times to create a respectful workplace and maintain public trust. Job applicants are required to disclose any circumstance that could result in a real, potential or perceived conflict of interest. A conflict of interest is any situation where your private interests may impair or be perceived to impair the decisions you make in your official capacity. This may include: political activity, directorship, other outside employment and certain personal relationships (e.g. with current WSIB employees, customers and/or stakeholders). If you have any questions about conflict of interest obligations and/or how to make a disclosure, please contact the Talent Acquisition Centre at talentacquisitioncentre@wsib.on.ca.

    Privacy information
    We collect personal information from your resume, application, cover letter and references under the authority of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. The Talent Acquisition Centre and WSIB hiring parties will used this information to assess/validate your qualifications, determine if you meet the requirements of vacant positions and/or gather information relevant for recruitment purposes. If you have questions or concerns regarding the collection and use of your personal information, please contact the WSIB's Privacy Office at privacy_office@wsib.on.ca. The Privacy Office cannot provide information about the status of your application.


How to apply:

  1. You must submit your application using only one of the methods identified below.
  2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
  3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
  4. Be sure to quote the Job ID number for this position.
  5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
Send application to: 
To apply, submit your application by the closing date here: https://www.wsib.ca/en/careers

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.


All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Information collection notice

We are collecting your personal information to assess how well you meet the qualifications for employment with the Ontario Public Service, and for related recruitment purposes. The collection of personal information is necessary to the proper administration of OPS Careers, which is an authorized common service in accordance with s. 6 of the Ministry of Government Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.25.

Please do not include any more personal information than is needed for your application (for example, do not include your photograph or social insurance number).

If you have any questions about how your information is collected, used, shared or saved, please contact us.

Strengthening Ontario, together