Job Description

Job Summary:

The Disability Manager is responsible for leading and managing key programs within UCSF's disability management portfolio, including reasonable accommodations, disability case management, return-to-work efforts, job reassignment, workers' compensation coordination, and complex leave-of-absence consultation. This role serves as a strategic advisor and subject matter expert on disability and leave-related matters, balancing the operational needs of UCSF with the interests of employees while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Disability Manager independently establishes short-term program objectives, contributes to long-term strategic planning, and provides leadership for highly complex and sensitive accommodation and disability cases across the enterprise.

• Lead the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of disability management programs and services.
• Establish short-term program goals and objectives and contribute to long-term strategic planning initiatives.
• Utilize case management metrics and operational data to evaluate program effectiveness, identify resource needs, and support budget and staffing decisions.
• Provide expert consultation and guidance to managers, HR professionals, employees, and other stakeholders on complex accommodations, disability management, return-to-work, and leave-of-absence matters.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on federal and state leave laws, disability benefits, and disability-related employment laws, including ADA, FEHA, FMLA, CFRA, PWFA, Pregnancy Disability Leave, Kin Care, and related regulations.
• Collaborate with workers' compensation, health and safety, legal, and other internal and external partners to mitigate organizational risk and support employee success.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and best practices that ensure compliance with disability, accessibility, and leave-related requirements.
• Oversee initiatives designed to improve accessibility, reduce barriers to employment, and standardize processes related to accommodations, reassignment, medical separation, and disability case management.
• Manage and develop professional staff responsible for disability management and accommodation services.

Department Summary:

Disability Management Services (DMS), a division of UCSF Human Resources, serves both UCSF Campus and UCSF Health by providing expert guidance and support related to workplace accommodations, disability management, leaves policy guidance, workers' compensation, and accessibility. DMS partners with employees, managers, and HR professionals to ensure compliance with federal and state laws while fostering an inclusive workplace where employees can successfully perform their roles.

Responsibilities

of time
Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)
20YesResponsible for employee disability management program development and evaluation, including setting short-term (one-year) strategic goals for the employee disability program and services.. 10YesUtilizes case management metrics to help determine resource requirements to meet program goals and objectives considering budget allocation, FTE, and other factors.40YesProvides professional guidance and direction to supervisors and professional staff, including the most complex and sensitive accommodations and leaves of absence issues raised. 10YesCollaborates and coordinates with workers' compensation personnel and other internal and external health and safety programs to mitigate risk for the University. 10YesPlans, establishes, and implements programs that maintain best practices, policies, and procedures for federal and state compliance across many areas including accommodations, accessibility, and inclusivity 10YesOversees accessibility and reducing barriers to accessibility, standardizing operating procedures within job accommodations, reassignment, and medical separation; and oversight of occupational and non-occupational disability claim concerns 10% (To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.)

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Rehabilitation Counseling, Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in disability management, accommodations, leave administration, human resources, employee relations, or a related field within a large and complex organization.
• Experience managing staff responsible for conducting the interactive process and administering temporary and permanent workplace accommodations.
• Extensive knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including Titles I, II, and III, and related federal and state disability laws.
• Knowledge of legal principles, regulations, and emerging developments related to disability rights and workplace accommodations.
• Knowledge of California workers' compensation programs and state and federal leave laws.
• Knowledge of HIPAA Privacy Rules and California laws governing the privacy and confidentiality of medical information.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and administer policies and procedures that ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex situations and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with employees, managers, legal counsel, healthcare providers, and external stakeholders.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in a related field.
• Knowledge of University of California disability benefits, leave programs, and employment policies.
• Professional certification such as Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS), Certified Professional in Disability Management (CPDM), Professional in Human Resources (PHR), or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).