Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) Generalist Talent Pool

Role Responsibilities

Do you have a passion for making a difference?

At the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) Office, we are passionate about the work we do - and are seeking dedicated professionals to assist Albertans with the AISH program.

Do you know what AISH does and why vulnerable Albertans seek the assistance of AISH Generalists? We assist vulnerable Albertans in their efforts to achieve well-being in life and independence!

The AISH program provides financial and health-related assistance to eligible adults with a permanent and severe disability. Working closely within the AISH team your primary role as an AISH Generalist would involve: commencing new applicants, determining the continued eligibility for financial benefits, issuing benefits in accordance with applicable policies and program legislation, monitoring and updating client progress, and linking clients to relevant community resources and making referrals.

In this busy environment with a high volume of case files, you'll be expected to provide quality service to clients who have varying levels of needs and abilities. The majority of interaction with clients will be over the phone; however, the ideal candidate must have strong and adaptive communication skills to be able to work well with persons with significant communication challenges and barriers.

As well, you will need to demonstrate an ability to analyze information, interpret policy and provide immediate 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. Microsoft Office and solid keyboarding skills, as well as attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy are essential. Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to meet deadlines are necessary to succeed in 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.

Below provided examples explain how competencies relate to the role of the AISH Generalist:
•    Agility – Adapting quickly to changing customer needs and regulatory guidelines.
•    Systems Thinking - Quickly understanding how to find out client’s needs and provide support as needed and create innovative and sustainable ideas.
•    Creative Problem Solving - Providing immediate support to recipients in crisis to address issues such as lack of food, medication, domestic violence, eviction or termination of utilities.
•    Develop Networks – Build professional relationships for making referrals to other community or government programs.
 

Qualifications

Related university degree, plus one year of related experience, or a Post-Secondary Diploma and two years of related experience, or related Certificate and 3 years related experience is required.

It is recommended that a cover letter outlining your experience in relation to the specified qualifications for this role is included with the application. 

Examples of relevant experience and assets:
•    Working with individuals with disabilities and vulnerable populations.  
•    Outstanding and effective communication skills, including de-escalation strategies. 
•    Ability to provide excellent customer service. 
•    Work experience in a high-volume Call Centre.
•    Determining eligibility for financial assistance programs.
•    Adept at working with numbers, performing quick calculations and understanding data sets
•    MS Office Suite knowledge and data entry 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: 36.25 hours/week, Monday to Friday (8:15 am – 4:30 pm) work week.

There are full-time permanent and temporary positions located in any of the following worksites. You must be willing to live in or relocate to work in one of the office locations listed below.

Please ensure to indicate the location you are interested in while submitting your application. The location you indicate will be the location you are applying to. 

North Zone: 
•    Northern Alberta: Edmonton and greater area.
•    Northwest Alberta: Slave Lake, Hinton, Edson, High Prairie, Peace River, High Level, Whitecourt, and Grande Prairie. 
•    Northeast Alberta: St. Paul, Vegreville, Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Fort McMurray, Lac La Biche, Barrhead, Athabasca, and Westlock. 

Central and South Zone: Camrose, Calgary, Drumheller, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House, Olds, Wetaskiwin and Brooks.

Please be informed that successful candidates may be eligible for the Attraction Bonus and Northern retention allowance for the eligible locations in NW and NE regions of Alberta. For more information please follow the Premium Pay Directive at https://www.alberta.ca/premium-pay-directive.aspx 

Attraction bonus for employees located in Fort McMurray and north of the 57th parallel.
All external new hires to the Government of Alberta who are hired to positions in any of the designated locations shall be eligible for the bonus. All Government of Alberta employees who currently work and reside outside of these designated areas and relocate to any of these locations are eligible for the attraction bonus. Applicable locations:
•    Fort McMurray
•    High Level

The attraction bonus is a one-time payment that is equivalent to 25% of base pay (bi-weekly pay X 26.1 X 25%) upon commencement, less all lawful deductions. The attraction bonus is paid on a quarterly basis over the first year of employment. All individuals who receive the attraction bonus will be required to sign a 2-year Return Service Agreement.

Besides employees residing at Fort McMurray are eligible for a Fort McMurray allowance at the amount of $478.17 bi-weekly. 

Employees residing at the below locations are eligible to receive annual 55th to 57th parallels retention allowance at the amount $6,000.00. Applicable locations:
•    Grande Prairie
•    High Prairie
•    Peace River 
•    Slave Lake

Employees residing in High Level are eligible for a northern allowance ($241.38 for each bi-weekly pay period served), northern leave (five days of paid leave), 
and up to two return trips out per year with eligible dependent(s) to help address the isolation issues associated with working in these northern communities. 

Candidates who are successful in the selection process will be placed in a Talent Pool. This competition will be used to create an eligibility list of qualified candidates to fill upcoming opportunities as vacancies arise in the location you apply to. Should you qualify, your resume is added to a qualified list for consideration for other opportunities at the same or lower classification levels.
 

Notes

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
•    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