Overview
Appeals Specialist
Human Services – Social Development Planning & Partnerships
Status: Temporary Full Time - up to 12 months (Additional temporary vacancies may be filled through the same competition)
Salary Range: $83,507 – $99,362 per annum / $45.88 - $54.59 per hour
Work Mode: Hybrid *see below for more details about this work mode.
Location: 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week
CUPE LOCAL 966
**Join our diverse team and be part of our vision. Think big. Channel your creativity. Make a difference.At Peel Region, we can create lasting impact, together.**
Who we are:The Social Development, Planning and Partnerships division works collaboratively with our community partners and multiple divisions within the Human Services department to enhance effective service delivery, identify gaps in services and efficiencies, and plan, influence and create solutions that positively impact the residents of Peel. We achieve this through program priorities including Poverty Reduction, Community Investment and Community Safety & Well-being. We provide services such as research, analysis, data analytics, technology, recoveries, appeals, eligibility review, business and policy support, training and development, planning, evaluation, continuous improvement, document services, and project expertise.
The Role: Reporting to the Collection and Appeals Supervisor, you will be responsible for conducting in depth case reviews in response to applicant/recipient, external, internal, political and motions to change and represent the Region of Peel at appeal hearing and/or make recommendations regarding decision to the service manager and to represent the participant, the Region and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to resolve motion to change issues.
What you will do in this role:
- Reviews appeals and completes an in depth review of the decisions made by the program administrators to ensure the decisions are made in compliance with the appropriate Human Services legislation or program.
- Conducts research, interprets legislation, policies and procedures, and analyzes individual appellant situations in order to provide decisions on appeals or motions to change.
- Gathers facts or information regarding an appellant’s request and researches an appellant’s background, considers legislations, policy, and precedence in making recommendations on appeals or motions to change.
- Conducts telephone interviews with appellants, lawyers and Social Benefits Tribunal and makes an assessment of the validity of an appeal or enquiry. This interview may involve mediation between parties to see if the appeal can be resolved in part or in full.
- Represents the Region of Peel’s interest at quasi-legal proceedings. May be required to summons witnesses for these proceedings.
- Evaluates Social Benefit Tribunal decisions and determines if a reconsideration or review is further required.
- Completes MFIPPA reviews involving Social Assistance files, prepares written responses to reviews and represents the Region of Peel at Provincial Court where information has been subpoena.
- Provides expert professional advice, guidelines and interpretation of legislation in areas not always outlined by government legislation to program administrators.
- Develops and maintains partnerships or collaborative relationships with internal and external contacts in order to achieve objectives.
- Communicates policy recommendations in collaboration with Policy staff.
- Prepares detailed documentation and reports related to trends in appeals to assess the effect of process changes.
- Ensures quality assurance and compliance with the legislations, Regional policies and standards.
- Prepares and monitors statistics as required.
- Liaises with community agencies and legal representatives representing the appellant.
- Obtain legal direction for controversial, complex and/or precedent setting cases.
- Manages Motions to Change in cooperation with the Recovery unit in order to prepare the Statement of Arrears.
- Other related duties as required.
What the role requires:
- Graduation from a post-secondary school program with a minimum 2 year diploma or degree in a related field such as Human Services or Administrative Law.
- Three years of job experience with extensive knowledge of all relevant Human Services Program legislations and regulations (including but not limited to Housing Services Act, Ontario Works legislation, Family Law, Human Rights, Statutory Powers Procedure Act).
- Excellent knowledge of relevant Human Services Systems and overpayments.
- A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
Skills/Abilities:
- Ability to calculate and provide rationale of overpayment for OW, Housing Appeals, Child Support Calculations.
- Highly developed interpersonal skills (oral and written) to communicate with appellants, witnesses, staff elected and Board officials and to write reports, correspondence, etc.
- Well-developed organizational and time management skills to deal with regularly conflicting demands, urgent tasks, and unexpected schedule changes.
- Mathematical skills to calculate case budgets and/or rent geared to income (RGI) calculations according to eligibility criteria.
- Ability to work independently.
- Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.
Preference will be given to qualified candidates who are currently in the bargaining unit. This position is a bargaining unit position represented by CUPE Local 966. Continuous employment is not guaranteed and may be subject to layoffs as outlined in the Collective Agreement Article 15.
Perks @ Peel and why you will love working for us:
- % in lieu of benefits
- Automatic enrolment into OMERS pension plan (where applicable)
- Supportive leadership and a culture of respect and inclusion
Be bold. Think big. Join us.
In this role, you’ll benefit from the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement that prioritizes meaningful in-person connection. A minimum of two days per week on-site is expected, with additional in-person presence as operational needs evolve. This arrangement allows for a blend of in person and hybrid work that adapts to support both organizational priorities and employee flexibility and is subject to change over time.
It's important to note that your off-site work location must be within the province of Ontario. This ensures that we're compliant with all regulations and policies.
The Region of Peel offers job based flexible hours of work that allows employees to manage personal and professional responsibilities while at the same time ensures business operational needs and customer service expectations are achieved.
Assessment: There will be an IN PERSON Assessment to be completed as part of the recruitment process. All communication will be sent to the email address attached to your application submission.
Interview: Our recruitment process will include video conference technology.
Kindly ensure to regularly monitor your spam and junk email folders, as important communications regarding your application may be directed there.
About Us
Peel Region consists of the cities of Brampton and Mississauga, and the town of Caledon. Peel Region delivers essential services to more than 1.5 million residents and approximately 200,000 businesses.
We’re working to create a community that is safe, inclusive, and accessible. A place where everyone feels they belong and can access the services they need to thrive throughout each stage of life.
Our workforce is 6,700 strong and since 1974, we’ve been delivering a wide range of resident focused services. Our services include paramedic services, health programs, long-term care and services for seniors, child care support, garbage collection and recycling, waste water and water treatment, road maintenance, financial assistance, and housing support.
Recognized by Canada's Healthy Workplace Month® with the Great Employer Award presented by Excellence Canada, Peel Region is a place where everyone feels they belong. We strive to develop a workplace that values and respects diversity, practices inclusion, recognizes the unique contributions and abilities of all people and facilitates innovative thinking. At Peel Region, people come first. Each employee has an important role within our community and when we work together, it’s impactful. We encourage you to join us in delivering essential services and programs to our diverse community. You won't find a better opportunity than Peel Region.
Additional Information
Peel Region is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is respected and valued for their contributions, and where everyone is treated fairly and has opportunity to grow and develop. As one of the most diverse regions in Canada, we are committed to establishing a qualified workforce that is reflective of the population we serve.Peel Region is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process, upon request. If you require accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Accessible formats and communication supports are available. Please contact zzg-hrtalentacquisition@peelregion.ca
Please be advised, Peel Region uses email to communicate with applicants for open job competitions and does not use AI technology in any part of the recruitment process. It is the applicant’s responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time sensitive correspondence via email (i.e., testing bookings, interview dates), it is imperative that applicants check their email regularly. If we do not hear back from applicants, we will assume that you are no longer interested in the position and your application will be removed from the competition.
