Program Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Do you have a passion for working with Children, Youth, and Families? Do you enjoy advocating for First Nations communities?  Are you highly motivated and self-directed?  Do you like work that allows you a high degree of independence?  If so, then this may be the job for you! If yes, then we would like to hear from you!

 We are looking to recruit a Program Specialist to join the Field Operations Liaison Branch.

In this role, significant travel across the province is required. You will have to travel throughout the work week, including overnight stays; therefore, access to reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license is required. You will travel to remote locations and must be comfortable travelling independently year-round.

 
If you are looking to enhance your ability to work with a variety of stakeholders, gain new experiences and expand your knowledge in Child Intervention this is the position for you.  You will have the opportunity to join a group of professionals committed to making a real difference in the lives of children, youth, and families.

 
This position is part of a specialized team responsible for providing advice and support to Delegated First Nation Agencies (DFNAs) and Children and Family Services (CFS) Regions involved in the delivery of the Ministry's children and youth programs and services with specific emphasis on intervention.  The main responsibility of this role will be to function as Program Specialist possessing a high level of expertise in a variety of areas within intervention service delivery.  The role will have a focus on providing mentorship and support as well as on-going consultation and best practice mentoring, supports, and assistance with the development, implementation and maintenance of work plans with particular focus on capacity development for DFNAs in all child intervention areas.  In addition, you will also be involved in policy interpretation, direct mentoring, training, development, evaluation, and monitoring of programs and services being delivered by DFNAs. You will help enhance services to Indigenous children and families by developing and maintaining strong relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders including DFNA staff, management, and governors; the Ministry and other provincial government departments; CFS Regions; and representatives of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).  

 
As the ideal candidate you will have well-developed writing skills in order to present data, information, and correspondence in a manner that is easily understood.  You will be best suited if you have experience with clients as well as knowledge and experience in working within an Indigenous context.  This position also requires a good working knowledge and experience in business planning, negotiations, research, data analysis, report writing, briefing note writing and ability to deal with delicate situations in a respectful manner in potentially high stress situations.

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

To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate the following competencies:
 

• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to gather information from varied sources, analyze and interpret information to formulate reports and make decisions related to case planning. 
• Agility: Ability to prioritize competing workload pressures in an effective manner and contribute to the organizational goals. 
• Drive for Results: Demonstrates ability to gather, integrate and interpret complex information Sets and accomplishes goals and priorities in order to deliver outcomes consistent with departmental objectives and directives. Excellent analytical, assessment and critical judgement skills.
• Building Collaborative Environments: Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with a variety of teams within the workplace, community and other Government ministries/agencies to meet client and ministry goals and objectives
• Developing Networks: Ability to interact positively, build relationships and   work effectively with others.
• Develop Self and Others: Ability to invest in the development of long-term capability of yourself and others.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standard:

• Bachelor of Social Work and 2 years related experience

The following equivalencies may be considered:

• Master of Social Work and one (1) year of related experience,
• Related university degree and four (4) years of related experience.
• Related diploma and five (5) years of related experience.
• Related certificate and six (6) years of related experience

The following will be considered assets:

• Previous experience working with children, youth and/or families 
• High degree of knowledge of the Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act, Enhancement Policy Manual and related Acts 
• Knowledge of community resources and Indigenous culture

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 are Monday to Friday – 36.25 hours per week.

 
Role Requirements: 

• Significant travel across the province including overnight stays is required for this role; therefore, access to reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license is required.
• Front-line children’s services and/or social work experience; Current Child Intervention delegation
• Previous experience working within the practice framework including using Signs of Safety assessment and Family Finding tools 
• Previous experience forming relationships with diverse external stakeholders including Indigenous, First Nations, and/or Metis people. 
• Preference will be given to applicants to those who have experience in
• Formal Management/leadership experience, including direct supervision and human resource management. 
• Project management; and Issues management (action requests, briefing notes, etc.).

 
Application Requirements:
 

• As part of the application process, you are required to:
• Complete all pre-screen questions  
• A cover letter outlining why you are applying to this role and how your experience relates to the qualifications is required.
• Resume detailing employment dates (month and year)
• Alberta College of Social Workers registration (if applicable)

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector that has been completed within the last 6 months.

Not providing or completing any of the above requirements will result in a delay of your application proceeding further. 

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
• Pension plans:  
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) – https://www.pspp.ca
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) – https://www.mepp.ca
• Leadership and mentorship programs 
• Professional learning and development 
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance