Child Support Services Worker

Role Responsibilities

As a member of the North Zone Child Support Services (CSS) Delivery team, you will help single parents with low incomes negotiate child support agreements or court orders, so they receive child support money from the other parent.  Child Support Services recognizes that every family situation is unique.  Utilizing various legislative authorities to deliver Child Support Services, you will work collaboratively with parents to ensure that their children get the support that they need.

The role of the Child Support Worker (CSW) requires in-depth assessment skills to gather required information about client circumstances while respecting their confidentiality.  The CSW works with various government departments and legal representatives therefore you must possess excellent interpersonal skills and have an understanding of court procedures and legal protocols.  As well, you will need to demonstrate an ability to analyze information, interpret policy and provide crisis intervention services to de-escalate and resolve conflict. Your ability to remain patient and calm with clients is important, as is your self-awareness and skills to manage stress. To be successful in this role you will require excellent time management, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills combined with the ability to make sound decisions under short timelines. Attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy, as well as an ability to meet deadlines are necessary for the case management required in this position.

 
We require an individual who can carry a high-volume caseload and is interested in having significant interaction with the justice system. Your skill set should also include strong decision-making skills and well-developed presentation and interpersonal skills.

  
This position will provide you with the opportunity to contribute to the North Zone Child Support Services Team that is proud to be part of Alberta’s Public Service and committed to professionalism by providing vulnerable Albertans easy access to an array of relevant provincial programs and services.

 
Key responsibilities include:

Needs Determination/Assessment: Conduct interviews to gather evidence, assess the applicant’s needs and legal rights, determine the course of action for support agreements/orders, and gather necessary evidence for court.

Investigating/Respondent Assessment: Locate and interview respondents, obtain financial disclosures, and assess employment/financial status to determine the appropriate intervention for child support matters.

 
Negotiating: Negotiate and gather evidence to secure child support agreements/orders on behalf of the Crown and applicants, ensuring compliance with legislated guidelines.

 
Court Action: Prepare and present evidence for court, mediate with respondents and their legal counsel, prepare legal documents, and liaise with Maintenance Enforcement Program staff for order registration.

 
Community Liaison: Build and maintain relationships with partners, including lawyers, judges, court staff, and community agencies, to facilitate collaboration on child support matters.

 
Referral: Make referrals to related services such as legal aid, employment support, or counselling based on the applicant’s needs

Please click on this link JD - Child Support Services Worker - 71972 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.

This work reflects all APS Competencies with a focus on the following:

•    Agility
•    Drive for Results
•    Build Collaborative Environments
•    Systems Thinking
•    Creative Problem Solving

Qualifications

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

Qualifications

A University Degree in Social Sciences, Psychology, Health Services, Community Rehabilitation, Disability Studies, or related field, plus 2 years of related experience, or a 2 year Diploma in Social Sciences, or related field, plus 4 years of related experience is required.

Equivalency: Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one-for-one basis.

Required experience:

•    Experience working in Delivery Services within Assisted Living and Social Services (ALSS) is an asset.  
•    Experience working with a highly diversified client group
•    Experience partnering with other GOA and ALSS programs 

Assets: 

•    Experience working in Delivery Services within Assisted Living and Social Services (ALSS) is an asset.  
•    Knowledge and understanding of multi-cultural issues
•    Knowledge of protocols and processes with MEP, MIMS.
•    Experience in the area of human services that may include family violence, crisis intervention, trauma informed approach, mental health, addictions, and/or family dynamics. 
•    Ability to work within related legislation and proficiency in the interpretation and application of policy for (ie: Income Employment Supports Act and Regulations, Family Law Act, Commissioner for Oaths Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, etc.).
•    Experience with conducting in-depth assessments and the documentation of information provided. 
•    Demonstrate your attention to detail and follow best practices related to the case management of files.
•    Knowledge and understanding of legal terms, legal documents (ie: affidavits), and court or quasi-judicial processes. 
•    Demonstration of computer systems and software and ability to learn in-house database programs (Outlook, Word, LISA/CCD, TOMIS, etc).
•    Knowledge and understanding of financial statements, personal and business income tax assessments or T1 general forms.
•    Ability to work independently and with limited supervision as you may be part of a team that is located at other regional offices.
•    Commissioner For Oaths.

Notes

•    Hours of work are 36.25 weekly, Monday to Friday.
 
•    This position is located in either Hinton or Edson.
 
•    Applicants are required to provide a cover letter and a resume. The cover letter and resume should summarize information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how your qualifications meet the advertised requirements and assets, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required APS competencies. Please ensure specific work history timelines are noted in your resume. 
 
•    Pre-screening questions will need to be completed as part of your application process for this competition. As part of the selection process, candidates may be invited to a telephone and/or requested to provide a written assessment prior to an interview. Please ensure you provide a current email address in your resume.
 
•    A driver’s license and reliable vehicle is a requirement of this position.
 
•    Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening. A Criminal Record Check will only need to be provided upon request.  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.
 
•    Candidates must be eligible to work in Canada. 
 

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.
•    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.