Worker Advisor

Job Information

Job Requisition ID: 64513
Ministry: Jobs, Economy and Trade
Location: Edmonton or Calgary
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36. 25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: November 25, 2024
Classification: Program Services 4 Market Adjustment
Salary: $2,757. 39 - $3,604. 17/biweekly ($71,967 to $94,068/annually)

Advisor Office
The Advisor Office for Alberta Workers' Compensation has an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as a Worker Advisor!
The Advisor Office provides advice, advocacy, and representation to workers and employers in Alberta looking to appeal a Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) claim.

Role Responsibilities

The Worker Advisor is responsible for providing advice, assistance, representation and advocacy services to injured workers or their dependents. This may include seeking a review and filing an appeal of a WCB entitlement decision. This role requires strong technical knowledge of the Workers' Compensation Act and associated legislation, Regulations, policies and procedures. Formal representation at various levels of appeal requires providing arguments based on the analysis and application of WCB legislation and policies to the evidence on file.

Specific accountabilities include:

• Reviewing the client's WCB claim file.
• Analyzing the evidence and decisions made on the claim to determine if the WCA and policies have been fairly and properly applied.
• Consulting with clients to discuss and identify potential appeal issues, then determining the appropriate course of action under the appropriate legislation and policies.
• Coordinating and conducting background research and analysis on appeal cases, including obtaining stakeholder input to issues under appeal, relevant similar board decisions, court cases, and legislative interpretations.
• Collecting information through investigation and research to support appeal issues-this may require contact with medical professionals.
• Approaching the WCB's Customer Service Department to seek resolution of issues prior to appeal by providing further evidence or alternate interpretation of policies.
• Representing clients at the two levels of the WCB appeals process-the WCB's Dispute Resolution and Decision Review Body and the Appeals Commission for Alberta Workers' Compensation.
• Other Comments: Advisors may be expected to mentor new hires to maintain consistency in the resolution and appeal process.
• Advisors may be requested to or volunteer to take on extra work or project work to meet the goals of the Advisor Office.

A Worker Advisor solves issues ranging from simple to complex through their own initiative and research. This role must exercise strong decision-making abilities when determining strategies with the goal of resolution of issues. A Worker Advisor's work is not subject to review prior to presentation before the appeal body. Errors may lead to missed or incorrect entitlement decisions, missed time limitations, and costly delays of the appeal process.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. This link will assist you with understanding competencies:

• Systems Thinking
  • Considers the impact of an approach on other programs, understands how work contributes to Advisor Office goals, and appreciates the interrelationships among stakeholder perspectives.
  • The delivery of services is required to recognize linkages across the workers' compensation system, and Advisor Office's business plan/goals.
• Creative Problem Solving
  • Breaks down problems into manageable parts, asks questions to clarify issues, challenges existing procedures when improvement opportunities arise, and seeks insights from others or other units' approaches.
  • Many of the issues encountered are complex and unique requiring research, brainstorming and out-of-the-box thinking to propose viable solutions.
• Agility
  • Identifies alternative solutions in complex situations, supports others in doing the same, remains calm and optimistic when dealing with highly emotionally charged situations.
• Drive for Results
  • Clarifies objectives and roles, adjusts plans based on past experiences, identifies causes of success or failure, takes responsibility for outcomes, and sets goals aligned with Advisor Office priorities.
• Developing Networks
  • Seeks to understand the perspectives of colleagues, clients, and stakeholders; builds relationships through integrity and respect; communicates relevant information promptly.
• Building Collaborative Environments
  • Fosters a collaborative work environment by encouraging diverse views, sharing information, and actively listening to others.
• Developing Self and Others
  • Builds networks and trust with stakeholders to enhance evaluation capacity, reflects on strengths and development opportunities, and stays current on new trends and technologies.

Qualifications

Required:

• A completed university degree in law, political/social sciences, justice, psychology, or related fields.
• A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in providing advice, assistance, representation, and advocacy services, or in interpreting and applying legislation and policy.

Other requirements:

• Knowledge and experience working with government legislation, policies, procedures and practices.
• Experience writing and delivering persuasive arguments and presentations.
• Experience with adjudication or case management.

Preference will be given to those with:

• Experience in a claims environment, insurance, rehabilitation or other related fields.
• Experience with crisis intervention/management and the ability to de-escalate stressful situations.
• Experience in presenting to tribunals, panels, or courts.

The following are considered Assets:

• Legal experience
• Previous Government experience and understanding of the Government of Alberta framework.

Equivalencies may be considered - directly related education or experience on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Notes

This is a permanent position, and the hours of work are Monday to Friday - 8:15am - 4:30pm for a total of 36. 25 hours.
The position location is Edmonton/Calgary.
The final candidate for this position will undergo an academic check, reference checks and provide a suitable security screening.

Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education and experience.

How To Apply

Applicants are advised to provide information that c.