ARTICLE VII

SECTION M

PERMANENT INJURY-OCCUPATIONALLY DISABLED EMPLOYEES

  1. An employee who permanently cannot return to his or her job because of illness, injury or accident may at her/his option notify the Workers' Compensation Administrator of his or her interest in obtaining a comparable job within the City. The Workers' Compensation Administrator shall consult with a Qualified Rehabilitation Representative, who in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Rehabilitation Bureau of the Division of Industrial Accidents, will attempt to place the employee in a comparable job for which the employee may qualify including the exploration of Vocational Rehabilitation to meet the minimum qualifications of a comparable job within City employment. If a comparable job cannot be found within the City, then the Qualified Rehabilitation Representative shall explore all other employment avenues in accordance with the rules and regulations as stated above.

  2. It is understood that the employee would be placed in a position under this section only where a vacant position is at the same range or a lesser range. If there is a position at a higher range for which the employee feels that he or she can qualify, the employee may apply for the position in the same manner as any other employee would, covered by this agreement.