Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is Canada’s only polytechnic university, proudly serving the South Fraser region for more than 40 years. With campuses in Surrey, Richmond, Langley, and Cloverdale, KPU is deeply connected to the communities it serves and to the diverse cultures, backgrounds, and lived experiences of its students. Through academic excellence, applied learning, innovation, and strong industry and community partnerships, KPU prepares students for meaningful futures.

As an open-access university, KPU is powered by the people who live and work here. We believe every employee plays a meaningful role in supporting student learning and success. We are honoured to carry the name of the Kwantlen First Nation and are committed to equity, inclusion, reconciliation, and respectful relationships. As one of BC’s Top Employers, KPU is dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and engaged workplace where employees feel valued, connected to purpose, and empowered to make an impact.

We invite you to explore your next career opportunity at KPU and discover how your work can contribute to a university where thought truly meets action.

Competition ID:

4469

Internal Closing Date:

Open Until Filled

External Closing Date:

Open Until Filled

# of Openings:

1

• Salary Information:

9 – Administrative Salary Grid - $79,731 to $116,939

Employment Type:

Permanent Full Time

Workplace Type:

Hybrid

Travel Frequency:

Occasional travel between campuses is required.

Employee Group:

Administration/Management

Days of Work (BCGEU):

Hours of Work (BCGEU):

Hours per Week (BCGEU):

We are currently seeking an Abilities and Wellness Specialist to join People Services within Human Resources team.

Job Overview

Reporting to the Manager, Health and Wellness, the Abilities and Wellness Specialist plays a key role in supporting employee well-being, rehabilitation, and early and safe return to work. This role brings subject-matter expertise in ability management, case management, attendance awareness, and wellness initiatives, contributing directly to a healthy, inclusive workplace.

Working closely with employees, leaders, unions, healthcare providers, and internal HR partners, you navigate complex and sensitive situations with sound judgment, empathy, and professionalism. Confident in a unionized environment and grounded in a people-first approach, you help balance individual needs with operational realities. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on employee health and organizational effectiveness at KPU during a time of growth and change!

As the Abilities and Wellness Specialist, you will:

• Provide employer-based case management for ill or injured employees, including rehabilitation planning, return-to-work programs, and duty-to-accommodate arrangement.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized return-to-work and accommodation plans, adjusting strategies as required to support employee success.
• Advise managers and employees on leave options, benefit plan provisions, policies, and procedures related to health, disability, and attendance management.
• Collaborate with HR colleagues to ensure compliance with collective agreements, benefit contracts, workplace legislation, and Human Rights obligations.
• Act as an employer representative on joint committees such as the Joint Early Intervention Program (JEIP) and Joint Faculty Rehabilitation Committee (JFRC).
• Support benefit and pension administration, including interpretation of plan provisions, pension estimates, purchase of service requests, and coordination with Payroll and external providers.
• Navigate complex and sensitive situations in a unionized environment, applying strong judgment, discretion, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Develop training materials and deliver education sessions to build understanding of return-to-work planning, accommodation, attendance awareness, and wellness initiatives.
• Analyze utilization and statistical reports from benefit and EFAP providers and recommend improvements to programs, policies, and processes.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of wellness programs and events that promote employee well-being and engagement.
• Maintain accurate documentation, reporting, and record-keeping to support effective case management and continuous improvement.

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a health-related discipline (e.g., Kinesiology, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Occupational Health Nursing), or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of three years of related experience in medical or disability case management, ideally in a unionized workplace.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Solid knowledge of ability management practices, including rehabilitation, attendance management, and early/stay-at-work programs.
• Working knowledge of collective agreements, benefit and pension plans, workplace legislation, disability guidelines, and Human Rights requirements.
• Strong communication, mediation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to manage difficult conversations with tact and professionalism.
• Demonstrated discretion, confidentiality, and sound decision-making in handling sensitive employee matters.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to continuous improvement and service excellence.
• Professional certifications such as CDMP, CCRC, or Accredited Rehabilitation Professional (preferred).

Competencies

• Leadership: KPU employees inspire, coach, mentor, and support students, employees and KPU as a whole in achieving objectives.
• Accountability: KPU employees demonstrate fiscal accountability and take ownership for their actions, decisions and results.
• Continuous Improvement: KPU employees take a creative approach to opportunities, exploring unique ways to create optimal value for the KPU community.
• Collaboration: KPU employees work in functional and cross-functional teams, coming together to solve complex issues and accomplish objectives that will benefit the KPU community.

Salary Information
The above compensation range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. Typically, initial salary placement is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum. This represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and approximately halfway of the salary range for a job with consideration given to internal equity.

Want to know more?

For inquiries or recommendations related to this position, please contact:

KPU Talent Acquisition
talentacquisition@kpu.ca

Total Rewards

As a part of our total rewards offerings, KPU also offers extended health and dental benefits, healthcare spending account, generous vacation package, defined pension plan, parenthood top-up, sick leave, long-term disability, life insurance, professional development days, tuition waiver, inhouse training & development, inter-campus transportation, and more!

Note: Eligibility requirements apply, benefits may vary depending on the employee group the position belongs to and whether the position offered is temporary or part-time.

Visit https://www.kpu.ca/hr for more information on KPU’s workplace, culture and total rewards.

Note to Applicants

Kwantlen Polytechnic University welcomes and encourages applications from equity deserving groups and diverse experiences including, but not limited to, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, and members of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community.

If there are any barriers that you are experiencing or an accommodation that we can provide to support you through the application process, please reach out to us at talentacquisition@kpu.ca.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University is committed to protecting the safety and welfare of employees, students, and the general public, and upholding the reputation and integrity of the University. For this reason, final applicants will be asked to undergo a background check.

We thank all applicants for their interest in employment with KPU. Only candidates who are legally eligible to work in Canada will be considered; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.