Director, Child Support Recalculation Program and Family Support Orders Services Policy

Role Responsibilities

This is your opportunity to use your excellent leadership skills and family law experience to make a positive impact on an organization. The Director of the Child Support Recalculation Program and FSOS Policy oversees essential service delivery, policy direction, and legislative reform for the Child Support Recalculation Program (RP) and the Maintenance Enforcement Program (MEP). FSOS’ administrative programs assist parents in meeting their legal support obligations and maintaining the accuracy of those obligations without returning to court. Reporting to the Executive Director of FSOS, this role is responsible for the RP’s operations, legislative planning and amendments, and policy direction. The role also directs policy direction and development, legislative planning, administrative review for the Maintenance Enforcement Program. The Director will foster strong relationships with family law stakeholders across government levels and agencies.

The Director oversees the Recalculation Program (RP) and Policy/Legislative units within FSOS, providing strategic leadership to Alberta’s two child support agencies—MEP and RP. These programs enforce support orders and recalculate child support, collaborating nationally to advance justice goals and improve access to family justice. The Director also manages stakeholder communications, leads the inquiry response team, and may serve as acting Executive Director when needed.

Role cont'd.

Responsibilities will include: 

• Provides timely support for FSOS by reviewing complex child support orders to assess their alignment with MEP and RP policies and legislation.
• Interpreting varied and creatively drafted orders influenced by legislation, case law, and policy.
• The position also evaluates whether new case law falls within existing legal frameworks or require new or validated legal opinions.
• Provide program guidance on issuing decisions, exercising discretion and approving RP policies.
• Provide leadership by supporting and mentoring the RP staff and leadership to uphold legislative intent and apply systems thinking in their roles.
• Review complex court orders to determine eligibility for enforcement and/or recalculation.
• Ensure recalculation decisions are legally sound and correctly reflect changes in child support obligations.
• Lead research, consult and draft policies, legislation and strategic frameworks for the branch to ensure the fairness, accessibility and fiscally responsible policies and procedures are guiding FSOS Programs.
• Oversee recommendations for updates to the FSOS related acts and regulations to improve program effectiveness.
• Engage with enforcement and child support programs across Canada to recommend policy and future legislative amendments in Alberta.
• Foster strong collaborative relationships with key stakeholders including other areas in Alberta Justice, the private family law bar, Alberta Ombudsman, other Government of Alberta ministries, and other programs across the country.
• Serve on the Federal, Provincial, Territorial Coordinating Committee of Senior Officials for Family Justice, contributing to subcommittees, working groups and national dialogue.
• Manage and enhance the Child Support Recalculation Program, including leading refinement of the legislation, policies, and systems tailored to Alberta’s legal and social context. 
  Consult with national counterparts and represent FSOS on the CCSO for Family Justice to integrate emerging best practices.
• Be aware of changing trends in family law, support enforcement, determination of child support, and family justice systems to ensure FSOS policies, legislation, and standard operating practices align with broader trends.
• Direct development and maintenance of quality training initiatives for staff to ensure consistent delivery of MEP and RP programs. Ensure the training has been customized to mee the unique needs of FSOS’s personnel.
• Direct stakeholder engagement with external partners to increase public awareness of FSOS mandate and develop recommendations for policies.  

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.

• Drive for Results to know what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders.
• Creative Problem Solving to be proactive in identifying solutions and focusing on continuous improvement.
• Develop Networks to connect with colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders consistently and ensures their needs are represented in decision-making.
• Systems Thinking to recognize the broader impact of your work and to be able to understand broader goals.
• Develop Self and others have a commitment to lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of yourself and others.

Qualifications

University degree in Law (LLB) and a minimum of seven (7) years professional experience in areas such as family law services, strategic initiatives, family justice & court services, project management, and change management.

Equivalencies may be considered:
Master of Laws (LLM) (MLS or MSL) and a minimum of 6 years professional experience. 

Required:

• Applicants must include a detailed cover letter explaining how their experience aligns with the qualifications; applications submitted without one will not be accepted.
• Familiarity with Alberta Family law processes or systems experience (non-legal position).
• Demonstrated progressive leadership/supervisory experience. (formal or informal)
• Demonstrated exceptional experience in written and oral communication for senior leadership to allow for informed decision to be made.
• Experience navigating client relationship management including difficult relationships and conflict resolution. 

Assets:

• Experience applying legislation or policy (Maintenance Enforcement Act, Child Support Recalculation Program Regulation, Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act, Family Law Act and the Divorce Act).
• Understanding of legislative and regulatory amendment process.
• Administrative law experience or knowledge.
• Familiarity with the MEP and RP legislation and policies.
• Experience in project management (from start to finish).
• Experience in Government policy, legislation and strategic analysis 

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary.

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

Hours of work:  Monday – Friday, 8:15 am - 4:30 pm (36.25 hours/week).

Positions currently available: one (1) permanent.

Location: John E. Brownlee Building, 10365 – 97 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3W7.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

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.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.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.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.