Role Responsibilities

The Appeals Commission has an exciting opportunity and is seeking one Appeals Officer to join our Edmonton or Calgary team! 

Under the direction of the Manager, Appeals Services of the Appeals Commission for Alberta Workers Compensation, the Appeals Officer oversees the case management and preparation of a Workers Compensation appeal while acting as the essential link between the appeal and the delivery of an expedient, informed and consistent hearing process in accordance with a number of applicable policies, guidelines, and related legislation.

Individuals in this role will have a strong and evident understanding and working knowledge of the Workers’ Compensation Act and Workers’ Compensation Board policies, Appeals Commission Rules, procedures and processes.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Act as the primary contact person for all parties of an appeal.
• Manage client files from initial assignment to finalization.
• Identify policy issues inherent to the appeal.
• Develop and process key appeal documentation to respond to diverse appeal issues.
• Provide support to Hearing Chairs, Commissioners and the Appeals Services department.
• Prepare briefing materials and other written documents used by panel members and stakeholders (external and internal). 

Personal skills will include: an orientation for detail and consistency; a predisposition to educate and inform all involved parties; skills in setting and delivering a processing plan; a sense for advisory input that supports and strengthens the appeal process; a strong inquisitorial sense; an ability to research, analyze and investigate; Strong and effective communication skills.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Required Competencies:

• Systems Thinking: The Appeals Officers are required to meet the demands of their role in processing appeals and supporting clients with an awareness of how their role is key to the AC's vision, mission and values. Their work directly affects Albertans across all occupations in Alberta, who go through the WCB appeals systems. They must anticipate outcomes and potential impacts for a variety of stakeholders when processing large numbers of individual files containing highly confidential medical information, and producing the documents on which hearing decisions are made. They also work with hearing chairs and staff to identify areas of collaboration to improve these processes and continually enhance AC service delivery standards.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Appeals Officers must effectively communicate and establish collaborative relationships with stakeholders. AOs must understand and adhere to the AC's Governance and Independence Framework. They must be able to anticipate potential conflicts of interest and take actions to mitigate risk. 
• Agility: Appeals Officer must accommodate the processing of last-minute complex medical and procedural information, balancing the needs of stakeholders with the requirements of the appeal process by identifying options, communicating effectively with parties and anticipating and mitigating emotional upset. 
• Drive for Results: To ensure procedural fairness is maintained and the ACs mission and values are upheld, AOs are responsible for a series of appeal-related outcomes. AOs must use various resources to monitor the quality of their work, ensure timely processing, and track and report on statistical outcomes.

Qualifications

A completed university degree or equivalent related experience in a related field (i.e. commerce or social sciences); no experience required; or equivalent as described below. 

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 

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

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications of this role is required. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. 

Preferred qualifications include the following job-specific experience and technical competencies:

• The ability to access and interpret additional legislation for specific appeal issues.
• Considerable experience in a research/investigative role in the application of legislation and policy. 
• A proven effectiveness in a customer-service environment is essential. 
• An extensive understanding and working knowledge of workers’ compensation legislation, other related legislation, WCB policy and process, and experience in administrative law or quasi-judicial tribunal is required.
• Work experience in the field of law, health and safety, medical or vocational rehabilitation is considered an asset.

Assets:

Requires extensive knowledge in one or more functional areas

• FOIPP
• Information Management

In depth knowledge and application of:

• Workers' Compensation Act, related legislation, Regulations, policies, procedures, systems and applications WCB and Appeals Commission policies, procedures and processes.
• The Interpretation Act.
• The laws of natural justice, tribunal processes and administrative law.
• The ability to access and interpret additional legislation for specific appeal issues. Requires extensive knowledge in one or more functional areas.
  • OH&S and labour standards.
  • Records Management.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

There are two (2) full-time permanent position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday available on the team.

Work locations are in Edmonton and Calgary.

A cover letter is required. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. 

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

What the GoA has to offer:

•  Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
•  Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
•  Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
•  Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
•  Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
•  Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.