Investigative Review Specialist

About the OCYA

The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (OCYA) is an Office of the Legislature that promotes awareness of young people’s rights, interests, and viewpoints through stakeholder engagement and public education; advocates for children and youth receiving or seeking services under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA), the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act (PSECA), and the youth justice system; and provides legal representation to young people for CYFEA and PSECA matters. The OCYA conducts investigations and publicly reports on serious injuries or deaths involving young people.

The impact of colonialization continues to adversely affect Indigenous young people, their families, and their communities. Intergenerational trauma, systemic racism, and the legacy of residential schools are experienced by many Indigenous young people, who continue to be overrepresented in the child intervention system. The OCYA is deeply committed to reconciliation and a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans. We are committed to a workplace that welcomes, respects and values the diversity of our employees. We also support them to be actively engaged in the workplace and the work we do to meet the needs of Alberta's young people.

To learn more about the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate go to our website at: www.ocya.alberta.ca

Role

Investigative Review Specialists play a key role in supporting the Child and Youth Advocate’s legislated mandate by conducting investigative reviews into the serious injury to or death of young people who were receiving designated services under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act, and/or the Youth Criminal Justice Act, or who had received child intervention services within two years of their death.

These reviews involve sensitive, complex, and often high-profile circumstances. Investigative Review Specialists gather, analyze, and synthesize information from across child-serving systems to develop a comprehensive understanding of a young person’s experience and the services provided to them and their family.

Individual Investigative Reviews

Investigative Review Specialists conduct individual investigative reviews that include:

• Gathering and analyzing information from multiple sources to complete comprehensive file review documents outlining a young person’s journey through child-serving systems.
• Conducting formal interviews with families, professionals, and stakeholders to obtain information, provide context, and address gaps in the record.
• Identifying findings, system gaps, service and support concerns, and areas of exceptional practice based on the specific circumstances of each review.
• Tracking and documenting emerging themes across individual reviews to inform broader system understanding.
• Producing public-facing reports that are non-identifying, non-fault finding, and focused on findings, thematic trends, and public assurance.

Consolidated Reports

Investigative Review Specialists contribute to and develop annual consolidated investigative review reports that include:

• Examining a prevalent theme across completed reviews.
• Drawing on findings, patterns, and issues identified through individual investigative reviews.
• Incorporating research, evidence, and stakeholder input to strengthen analysis and provide context.
• Identifying broader systemic issues and recurring trends across reviews.
• Developing evidence-based recommendations aimed at improving systems, policies, and services for children, youth, and families in Alberta.
• The work informs public reporting that strengthens accountability and transparency and supports continuous system improvement across child-serving ministries and agencies.

Alberta Public Service (APS) Competencies

Competencies are behaviours that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in-depth understanding of the APS competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process. Learn more about the competency model here: APS competency model

Agility

• Ability to manage competing priorities, adapt to changing demands, and meet legislative timelines.
• Ability to work outside of business hours and travel across the province to conduct investigative reviews.

Develop Networks

• Building and maintaining relationships with families, professionals, and stakeholders to support investigations and system understanding.

Build Collaborative Environments

• Collaborating effectively with internal and external partners to gather information, analyze findings, and support system improvement.
• Ability to collaborate with decision-makers to ensure that recommendations made by the OCYA are specific, measurable, achievable, results-orientated and will result in meaningful change to improve the services and supports provided to young people to help them succeed.

Creative Problem Solving

• Translating complex information into accessible reports and developing evidence-based, actionable recommendations.

Additional competencies related to specific knowledge, skills and abilities required for this role can be found in the job description.

Qualifications

A university degree in social work, psychology, law, social sciences, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).

• A minimum of five years of experience with the Ministry of Children and Family Services (CFS), or a combination of experience with CFS, and in the fields of mental health, education, and/or justice.
• Experience leading complex projects and demonstrated skill in project management.
• Knowledge of child development, family dynamics, parental capacity, and conditions impacting child and youth well-being.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities, and knowledge of relevant legislation and child-serving systems, is essential.
• A valid Class 5 driver’s license is required.

Equivalencies may be considered. Applicants who believe their knowledge, skills, and experience align with the role are encouraged to apply.

Given the overrepresentation of Indigenous young people in child intervention and youth justice systems, preference may be given to individuals who self-identify as Indigenous or who have extensive experience working with Indigenous peoples and communities.

Notes

We are seeking an Investigative Review Specialist for an 18-month temporary-salaried term with the potential for a permanent position, subject to organizational requirements.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies at the same or lower classification.

Candidates may be asked to participate in a written assessment.

Final candidates will be required to undergo security screening. This position is in Edmonton; however, travel, including overnight stays, is a requirement.

How to Apply

Click Apply/Apply Now. 

Please visit https://www.alberta.ca/navigating-online-jobs-application.aspx to learn more about navigating the Alberta Public Service online application system.

Existing employees should access the Career tile in 1GX to submit their application in order to be recognized as an internal applicant.

Candidates are required to apply online. If you are unable to apply online, or for a copy of the full job description, please contact Sandy Simpson at sandy.simpson@ocya.alberta.ca.

To be considered for this position, a cover letter which identifies your ability to meet the above noted competencies and provides information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how your qualifications meet the advertised requirements, is required to be included with your resume.

Tips for Applicants https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-hiring-process.aspx. 

It is recommended that applicants who have obtained educational credentials from outside of Canada and have not had them previously assessed, obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) https://www.alberta.ca/iqas-overview.aspx. It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application. 

Recruitment Process

We will use a staged recruitment process in which a shortlist of candidates will have the opportunity to learn more about our organization and staff, and we will get to know them. Candidates who are interested and invited to further conversations with us can expect a respectful process.

Closing Statement

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidate’s education and experience best meets the needs of the position. Only individuals identified to move forward in our process will be contacted to participate in an interview.

If you require further information on this job posting, please contact Tanith Hodgkinson at tanith.hodgkinson@ocya.alberta.ca.