Indigenous Program Coordinator

Role Responsibilities

Are you looking for a career where you can help ensure Albertans have safe and secure communities while promoting Indigenous spirituality, culture, and community engagement? Then look no further! The Government of Alberta is seeking a motivated individual for permanent Indigenous Program Coordinators (IPC) position in Youth Attendance Centre, Calgary.

Reporting to a Community Corrections Manager, you will be required to develop, coordinate, and facilitate Indigenous programs for adults and youth involved in community corrections. The role involves liaising with Indigenous communities, developing relationships, and encouraging community participation to support the Indigenous population. IPCs will collaborate and communicate with case workers, probation officers, and community resources to achieve program goals. This position requires significant knowledge of Indigenous spirituality, culture, and the ability to engage with local Indigenous communities and resources. IPCs across the CSD meet on a regular basis to share knowledge and strategies, promoting collaboration to improve the level of support and service provided to the Indigenous population. You will require significant knowledge base of the local Indigenous communities, Indigenous spirituality and culture, and the ability to facilitate conversations with Indigenous Leaders and/or Elders to broker the development and implementation of program development and delivery in a correctional environment. 

Your responsibilities will include:
•    Developing awareness of Indigenous spiritual and cultural activities among the correctional population.  
•    Creating and delivering Indigenous programs to adults or youth involved in the provincial correctional system to encourage connection to Indigenous cultures. 
•    Providing ongoing Indigenous spiritual activities to adults and youth, such as smudging ceremonies, healing circles, drum circles, pipe ceremonies, sweat lodges and other relevant activities and ceremonies based on the needs of adults and youth. 
•    Recruitment, supervision, and coordination of Elders, Knowledge Keepers and cultural support staff to enhance Indigenous programming and services. 
•    Providing support to Indigenous individuals involved in the correctional system through one-to-one guidance and connections to Elders and other community resources.  
•    Assisting with release planning and supporting individual’s transition from custody to community.  
•    Providing coordination and planning within the centre and community as it relates to Indigenous programs and services.

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.

Systems Thinking: Keep the broader impact in mind while assessing options and making decisions. 

Develop Networks: You possess the ability to work well with correctional staff and management, clients, and community agencies and resources to achieve program goals. 

Drive for Results: Meets critical deadlines and manages time effectively. 

Build Collaborative Environments: Team player who contributes positively by clearly communicating with others to achieve outcomes. Respects differing opinions and recognizes conflict then works towards achieving common purpose. 

Agility: Identifies and manages required changes and the associated risks, identifies alternative approaches and supports others to do the same. 

Creative Problem Solving: You have the ability to creatively formulate and develop innovative programs for Indigenous people involved in the correctional system and to encourage participation in these programs.

Qualifications

Requirements:

Correctional Service Worker 1: Two-year diploma in a related field such as Indigenous Studies, Education, Social Work, Social Sciences, Justice Studies, Correctional Studies or Criminal Justice plus at least two years related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency:
A related one year certificate and three years of related experience. Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of one year of education for one year of experience; or one year of experience for one year of education

Correctional Service Worker 2: University graduation in a related field such as Indigenous Studies, Education, Social Work, Social Sciences, Justice Studies, Correctional Studies or Criminal Justice plus at least two years related experience is required; or equivalent as described below:

•    Two year diploma in a related field plus 4 years related experience; OR 
•    Completion of the in-service Criminal Justice Certificate plus 5 years related experience (applicable only to employees who have completed the certificate prior to it being discontinued on December 31, 2017).

The following are considered assets for successful candidates: 
•    Knowledge of the Indian Act, residential schools, 60’s scoop, Indigenous representation in the Child Welfare and other related systems, including policies and implications of colonization. 
•    Understanding of the current context of Truth and Reconciliation, MMIWG, United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and broad Indigenous cultures and practices. 
•    Ability to speak and/or understand Indigenous language(s). 
•    Knowledge of and experience facilitating Indigenous spiritual practices such as sweat lodge ceremonies, smudging, pipe ceremonies and sacred circle ceremonies. 
•    Existing positive relationships with local Indigenous and Metis communities.  
•    Awareness of trauma-informed practices. 

To align with our Diversity and Inclusion Policies and in recognition of the specific nature of this position, applicants that identify as having Indigenous ancestry are considered an asset.

Special Requirements includes the following:
•    A valid Driver’s License.
•    Physically able to perform position duties.

Please ensure all relevant qualifications are listed in resume.

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 is one full-time permanent position.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 36.25 hours per week (full-time).

Location: Calgary Youth Attendance Centre – 3850 Manchester Road SE, Calgary, Alberta.

Reliable transportation and a valid Class 5 Drivers License are required.  

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

Final candidates for this position will be required to provide a Fingerprint Based Criminal Record Check. Any associated costs will be your responsibility and you are only required to provide this check if requested. We cannot accept on-line Criminal Record Checks, from a non-Policing Agency