Family Court Counsellor

Role Responsibilities

Are you a dedicated, hardworking, and caring individual looking to make a difference in the lives of Alberta families? Alberta Justice has multiple opportunities in Red Deer waiting for you!
 

As a Family Court Counsellor, you will report to the Team Lead, Assessment Services and work independently and collaboratively with colleagues in the same location and across the province to ensure seamless service delivery to Albertans. Your strong working relationships with Court Operations, Judiciary, and the legal community are required to ensure services are delivered to clients and the operations of the Alberta Court of Justice and/or King’s Bench family docket court.
 

At the direction of Management and the Team Lead, you will complete data collection and participate in program development initiatives to ensure services are provided in a user-friendly, cost-effective manner.
 

Operating within a team structure, you will be responsible for, but not limited to the following:
 

Screening, Assessment, and Referral

• Provide triage and intake services including safety screening, needs assessment, referrals as necessary, and limited assistance completing and filing Family Law Act court documents.
• Inform clients about communication and dispute resolution skills to assist clients in resolving their disputes.
• Identify and outline options available for the client to decide on a course of action.
• Deliver ongoing assessments, information, support, guidance, and assistance to clients prior to, during and following court.
   

Case Management

• Negotiate and facilitate terms of consent with parties in attendance at court, for the courts review and endorsements.
• Provide ongoing court support, referrals, and resources to clients as needed. Provide ongoing case management services for all self-represented parties to a related court action.
• Follow up on procedural matters, including subsequent court filings and legal service requirements.
• Continually assess for safety risks or possible barriers to service delivery and provide supports accordingly.
• Negotiate resolution of issues between the parties using conflict resolution skills including identifying the needs and interests of the parties. 
• Liaise with Children’s Services workers, Alberta Supports staff, legal counsel, and community agencies to coordinate services and best support the family.
   

In-Court Support

• Facilitate court appearances on legislated and specified Family Law Act applications, assisting parties towards resolution, educational resources, interventions and /or transferring parties to alternate court services.
• Assist families with their various concerns in the fast-paced environment of the Resolution Services office and the Provincial Family docket court and Chamber.
• Respond to actions, directions and requests from the judiciary that fall within the scope of the role.
   

Consultation and Public Relations

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with external stakeholders (i.e., Lawyers, Legal Aid, Community Legal centers, women’s shelters, native counselling services and police services) to ensure information sharing and optimal client services.

Role continue

Administration

• Complete timely and accurate entries on the Resolutions Services provincial database relating to client services and court activity in accordance with policy/procedure.
   

As the ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Attention to detail relating to file and legal documentation.
• Exceptional interpersonal, interviewing, assessment, negotiation, dispute resolution and decision-making abilities.
• The ability to work under pressure and assist clients in highly emotional circumstances is essential.
• A strong ability to work independently and work well as a team member with internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge and awareness of changing processes, legislation, social trends, best practices and new research in family, law matters; utilizing this knowledge to maximize effectiveness of responsibilities to inform, educate and assess.
   

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position. 

Qualifications

Bachelor of Social Work Degree or related education, plus some related experience in areas such as negotiation, mediation and conducting client interviews and assessments.

All applicants must include a cover letter (approximately 300 – 400 words). In your letter, please describe how your qualifications, experience, and skills would be suitable for this position. It will be as a screening tool to assess writing and proofreading abilities. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Equivalency:

• Master of Social Work Degree (no experience required); OR 
• A related University degree (Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, etc.) and two (2) years of related experience; OR 
• A related (2) year Diploma and three (3) years of related experience; OR 
• A related one (1) year Certificate and four (4) years related experience.
   

Other Requirements:

As per the Health Professions Act, successful applicants must be registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) if:
 

(a) 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
 

(b) they have graduated from an approved social work diploma program in Alberta
 

OR
 

(c) 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 if/when they are requested. For more information, please visit http://www.acsw.ab.ca/ .
 

Assets

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Work experience in family violence dynamics.
• Work experience in demonstrating interview and assessment techniques and skills, including safety screening.
• Working knowledge of the Family Law Act.
• Training and/or certification in Family Mediation.

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

Position Information:

• This posting will be used to fill four (4) full-time, permanent positions in Red Deer.
• Work Location: Red Deer Court House, 4909 48 Ave., Red Deer, AB T4N 3T5.
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday
   

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
 

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. 
 

Links and information on what the GoA 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
• Leadership and mentorship programs