Program Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Are you ready to take your career with Children and Family Services to the next level? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where no two days are the same and where your work takes you across the province? This role requires regular travel across Alberta to provide support to Delegated First Nations Agencies (DFNAs) and Children and Family Services Regions with a focus on process improvement and quality practice. 

The successful candidate will maintain government to government relationships with DFNAs and Regional operations in a complex and politically sensitive environment. You will serve as a child intervention leading practice consultant, working collaboratively with DFNAs and Regions across Alberta to strengthen service delivery and outcomes.

As a Program Specialist, you will act as a key link between DFNAs, First Nations boards, bands, and councils, Children and Family Services Regions, and other provincial and federal partners, including Indigenous Services Canada.

Some responsibilities include:

• Provide program and technical support to DFNA and Regions as identified through collaboration between CI Division, DFNA and CI leadership.
• Develop and/or facilitate various training to DFNA staff as per their request.
• Work within the assigned agencies to assist and mentor the agency through implementation of the work plans, identifying on going action needs for consultation, clarification, interpretation and guidance in the delivery of services and programs.
• May be a delegated Management responsibility.
• Participate in orientation sessions and ad hoc meetings with First Nations Child Welfare Committees, Foster Parents, Society members, contracted service providers.
• Promote the development of linkages and partnerships with Regions, and other Ministry partners.
• Liaise with ISC and First Nations agencies regarding policy, standards and legislation, work plans and Management Steering Committee.
• Identify any matters or issue arising out of or from the implementation, administration and operation of agreements and provide support in areas for improvement.

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 have the following competencies:

• Systems Thinking - Integrates broader context into planning: Plans for how current situation is affected by broader trends; Integrates issues, political environment and risks when considering possible actions; Supports organization vision and goals through strategy; Addresses behaviors that challenge progress.
• Creative Problem Solving - Works in open teams to share ideas and process issues: Uses wide range of techniques to break down problems; Allows others to think creatively and voice ideas; Brings the right people together to solve issues. Identifies new solutions for the organization
• Agility - Proactively incorporates change into processes: Creates opportunities for improvement; Is aware of and adapts to changing priorities; Remains objective under pressure and supports others to manage their emotions; Proactively explains impact of change on roles and integrates change in existing work; Readily adapts plans and practices.
• Drive for Results - Works to remove barriers to outcomes, sticking to principles: Forecasts and proactively addresses project challenges; Removes barriers to collaboration and achievement of outcomes; Upholds principles and confronts problems directly; Considers complex factors and aligns solutions with broader organization mission. 

Qualifications

Requirements: 

• A Bachelor of Social Work or Social Work Diploma and 2 years related experience. 

Equivalencies: 

• Master of Social Work and 1-year related experience; OR
• Related university degree and 4 years related experience; OR
• Related diploma and 5 years related experience; OR
• Related certificate and 6 years related experience. 

Related university degree can include Bachelor of Child Studies/Child & Youth Care, BA 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, Bachelor of Indigenous Studies.

Related diploma can include Addictions/Counseling Diploma, Child and Youth Care Diploma, Human Services Diploma and Criminal Justice Diploma. 

Assets:

• Sound understanding of child intervention legislation, policy, practice, and workflow.  
• Knowledge and ability to draw upon an Act Respecting First Nation, Metis and Inuit Children, Youth and Families and how it relates to intervention practice.  
• Actively engage with First Nations community, cultural traditions and practices, and awareness of protocols and customs.  
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with Indigenous communities and DFNA partners.  

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).  Due to the nature of the role some overtime may be required.

Location:  The successful candidate may be based out of any Children and Family Services office location within Alberta; however, the role requires regular travel, including overnights and the majority of work will take place in communities across the province. 

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 possess a Bachelor, Diploma or Masters in Social Work. For more information, visit http://www.acsw.ab.ca/.
• Travel across Alberta will be required in this role; therefore, final candidates for this position will be asked to provide a current 5-year commercial driver’s abstract. Candidates may also be required to use their own vehicle when government fleet vehicles are not available. Appropriate insurance is required.
• Successful candidate will require a clear Intervention Record Check (IRC) + Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check (CRC VS) to be considered for the role.
• An academic check will be completed.
• Please be advised that your current supervisor and manager will be contacted as references. 

Other Information:

The successful candidate needs to be able to be delegated under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act in Alberta and must have the related skills, abilities, knowledge and experience to be delegated. 
 
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.  

Application Requirements: 

• In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. As well, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example, January 2006 – June 2009: Assistant (Part-Time).
• Complete all pre-screening questions.
• Please include your current supervisor and manager as part of your references. 

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.