Program Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about working with children, youth, and families? Do you have a strong commitment to advocating for First Nations communities? Are you highly motivated, self-directed, and enjoy working independently? If so, this may be the perfect opportunity for you!

We are seeking a Program Specialist to join the Field Operations Liaison Branch (FOLB). In this role, you will be part of specialized team providing support and advice to Delegated First Nation Agencies (DFNAs) and Children and Family Services (CFS) regions in the delivery of the Ministry's children and youth programs, with a focus on child intervention (CI) services.

As a Program Specialist, you will offer mentorship, consultation, and best practice guidance to DFNAs, assisting in the development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of work plans aimed at building capacity in child intervention services. You will also play a key role in policy interpretation, training, and monitoring programs while fostering strong relationships with partners and stakeholders, including DFNA staff, CFS regions, Indigenous Service Canada (ISC), and various provincial government departments.

The key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide program and technical support to DFNA and Regions as identified through collaboration between CI Division, DFNA and CI Leadership.
• Negotiate, monitor and manage various grants held by the Branch (e.g. Designate Grants, Early Intervention Grants and the Metis Nation of Alberta Association sub-agreement).
• Develop a work plan/action plan detailing challenges, tasks, timelines and accountabilities to address required areas of change and improvement within assigned service authority.
• Assist with resolution of financial, case, program delivery, agency development, and cross agency issues.
• Liaise with Regional Authorities, First Nation and Metis agencies, other Departments, and inter-provincial representatives with respect to family ties, billing issues, access to services and resources, and case management decisions regarding First Nation and Metis children and requested.
• Identify any matters or issues arising out or from the implementation, administrations, and operation of agreements and provide support in areas for improvement.

This is an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge and gain valuable experience in child intervention while making a positive impact on the lives of children, youth and families. If you are ready to join a team of dedicated professionals committed to making a real difference, we want to hear from you!

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
 

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

Education:

• A Bachelor of Social Work or Social Work Diploma and 2 years of related experience; or
• A related degree and 4 years of related experience or a related diploma and 5 years of related experience.
• Related education can include Bachelor of Child Studies/Child & Youth Care, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Human Services, BA/BSc Psychology, BA Sociology, Bachelor of Community Rehab, BSc Family Studies/Human Ecology, BA Early Child Development, Law Degree, Addictions/Counseling Diploma, Child and Youth Care Diploma, and Criminal Justice Diploma.

The following equivalencies may be considered:

• Master of Social Work and 1-year related experience; or
• Related certificate and 6 years related experience.

Related Experience Includes:

• Minimum 2 years of front-line experience working in children's services and/or social work.
• Previous experience using the Signs of Safety assessment and Family Finding tools.
• Experience in building relationships with diverse external stakeholders, particularly with Indigenous, First Nations, and/or Metis people.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities and knowledge of Indigenous contexts.

Assets:

• Preference will be given to those candidates who are Delegated.
• Formal management or leadership experience, including direct supervision and human resource management.
• Experience with project management and issues management (e.g. action requests, briefing notes, etc.).
• Prior experience working directly with children, youth, and/or families.
• High degree of knowledge of the Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA), Enhancement Policy Manual and other related Acts.
• Knowledge of community resources and an understanding of Indigenous cultures.
• Strong writing skills.
• Skills in business planning, negotiations, research, data analysis, report writing, and briefing note preparation.
• Ability to manage sensitive situations respectfully and handle high-stress situations effectively.

Note: Equivalency for professional roles related to Child Intervention: Directly related degree or diploma, successful completion of in-service or comparable training and 2 years of directly related experience.

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 to Friday, 36.25 hours per week (full-time).

(Working after hours or outside of regular business hours may be required).

Location:

Various locations across Alberta.

Application Requirements:

• A cover letter outlining how your education and experience relates directly to this role is required.
• In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time, or full-time. For example: January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs shifts/week).
• Complete all pre-screening questions.

Please be advised your current supervisor and manager will be contacted as references.

Successful candidates for this position will undergo an academic check, intervention record check and provide suitable security screening,

Role Requirements:

• As per the Health Professions Act, successful applicants must be registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) to be eligible for this position, if:
  • They have a degree in social work from any university in North America that is accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE) or the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); or they have graduated from an approved social work diploma program in Alberta;
  • They have, within the last five years, been a registered, certified, or licensed social worker in another province or with a member of the Association of Social Work Boards.
  • Please be prepared to provide your registration details at the time of interview. For more information, please visit http://www.acsw.ab.ca/.

Travel:

• This role required significant travel across province, including overnight stays during the workweek. Access to reliable transportation and a valid Class 5 Driver's License is required.
• You will be traveling to remote location and must be comfortable with independent travel, navigating Alberta's ever-changing weather conditions.
• Final candidates for this position will be asked to provide a current 5-year commercial driver's abstract if it is not already on file.
• Employee may also be required to use their own vehicle when government fleet vehicles are not available. Appropriate insurance is required.

Other Information:

• Preference will be given to the candidates who currently reside in Alberta.
• No providing or completing any of the above requirements will result in the delay of your application.

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

Notes Cont'd

Links and information on what the Government of Alberta has 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
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
• Leadership and mentorship programs