Occupational Mental Health Specialist

Role Responsibilities

The Ministry of Jobs Economy, Trade and Immigration is looking for one (1) Occupational Mental Health Specialist within the OHS Program Delivery Branch. 

This position reports directly to the Manager of the Specialized Professional Services (SPS) Unit and works as a technical expert within a multidisciplinary team. The Specialist collaborates closely with SPS colleagues and staff across the OHS Delivery Branch to advance effective, consistent, and evidence informed OHS practices.

The Mental Health Specialist serves as a provincial subject matter expert in psychological health as it relates to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, Regulation, and Code. This role provides expert guidance to support projects, issues management, publications, client inquiries, and front-line compliance and enforcement activities.

The Specialist applies advanced mental health expertise to interpret OHS legislation; anticipate, identify, and assess psychological hazards; and recommends effective control measures across all provincially regulated workplaces. The position also supports OHS investigations by identifying where psychological factors may have contributed to workplace incidents. The incumbent provides professional mental health advice and technical analysis to the Ministry and key stakeholders on a broad range of psychological hazards and emerging OHS issues.

The Specialist will develop and implement a psychological wellness program for the Branch, identifying and recommending solutions to manage psychological hazards faced by OHS officers, investigators, and support staff. This role also includes creating training aligned with best practices for psychological hazard control and supporting the coordination of the peer support program.

If this opportunity interests you, please do not hesitate to apply!

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: Understanding of organizational theory related to relationship dynamics in the workplace in order to anticipate and respond to developments and issues sensitively and effectively.

Build Collaborative Environments: Remain apprised of trends, developments and advances in workplace harassment and violence and related subjects, and consults with professionals inside the ministry and externally to remain current.

Develop Network: Persuasiveness to obtain the trust of complainants and employers, co-workers and others involved in workplace harassment and violence issues.

Creative Problem Solving: Analytical, logic and problem-solving skills to design and execute valid research into policy and program content and develop policy and program content; and conduct sensitive assessments in the field and ensure their validity.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in a related field plus 6 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below. You must be a Psychologist in Alberta or a registered social worker in good standing with their respective College in Alberta.

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.
  
  

Preference will be given to candidates with the following assets:

• Extensive experience in organizational psychology and psychosocial hazards.
• Knowledge and ability to develop and coordinate a full range of workplace relevant assessment techniques, and to plan, research, develop, and advise on prevention, protection, compliance, and enforcement policies, programs, and performance measures related to workplace harassment and violence.
• Ability to coordinate input and expertise from divisions, departments, professionals, and external stakeholders on occupational health and safety issues, standards, and policies.
• Strong planning and organizational skills to develop, coordinate, and provide recommendations in response to issues, inquiries, and emerging needs.
• Proficiency with common office software to conduct research, gather and analyze data, and prepare reports, policy and program materials, educational content, and correspondence.
• Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality when handling sensitive or personal information.
• Ability to research and prepare review summaries, discussion papers, and recommendations.
• Ability to clearly explain professional terminology, complex findings, and concepts to non specialists, including when preparing, delivering, and evaluating training and presentations.
  
  

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

This is a full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Candidates are required to submit resume and cover letter that succinctly demonstrate their qualifications against the job requirements, including education, experience, and relevant competencies. It’s important for applicants to ensure their resume and cover letter clearly articulate how their past work experiences align with the role’s qualifications and needs.

Resumes must include precise employment dates (month and year) to assist in assessing attention to detail skills.

The final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo an academic check, references, may need to provide a suitable security screening and may be asked to complete a written exercise and/or assessment.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.
 

• 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.