Program Consultant

Job Information
Job Title: Program Consultant
Job Requisition ID: 63513
Ministry: Children and Family Services
Location: Edmonton (other locations in Alberta will be considered)
Full or Part-Time: Full-Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: October 23, 2024
Classification: Human Services Worker 7

The Government of Alberta is committed to a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans. Consider joining a team where diversity, inclusion and innovation are valued and supported. For more information on diversity and inclusion, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/diversity-inclusion-policy.aspx

The Ministry of Children and Family Services works to foster a society in which families are safe and resilient, individuals have sustainable employment, vulnerable Albertans have the supports they require, and no one is left behind. Children and Family Services mission is to assist Albertans in creating the conditions for safe and supportive homes, communities, and workplaces so they have opportunities to realize their full potential. Its core business is to work collaboratively with community partners to deliver citizen-centered programs and services that improve quality of life for Albertans. The ministry deals with topics that vary widely and addresses many of the issues people face across their life span.

To learn more about our Ministry’s work, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/children-and-family-services

Role Responsibilities

This role will report to the Manager of Placement Resources while supporting the Director of Strategic Procurement, Contracting and Placement Resources, Executive Director of Policy, Practice and Program Development Branch and the ADM of the Child Intervention Division in promoting and ensuring quality in the provision of intervention and placement resources services across the province. This position has an integral role in the development of child intervention, placement resources policy and program development based on best practices that promote the attainment of good outcomes for children, youth, families, and caregivers.

Specifically, this position will lead strategic projects and initiatives that set practice and program direction. This role will make recommendations to the Director, Executive Director, ADM, DM/Minister based on specialized program knowledge and skills related to Child Intervention and specifically placement resources program, policies and practice supports. The position requires knowledge of the calls to actions from the Truth and Reconciliation commission, colonization, and knowledge and skills in working with diverse communities and specific knowledge and skills in engaging, consulting, and working with Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and other Indigenous partners. Client groups include senior management, Service Delivery Directors (CID and Delegated First Nation Agencies), service delivery staff, stakeholders (Alberta Foster and Kinship Association, ALIGN Association of Community Services), kinship caregivers, foster caregivers, private guardians, adoptive families, group, and campus base treatment care sector.

Key responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Research and develop policy and practice that reflects the Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act, Residential Facilities Licensing Regulation, Child Intervention Practice Framework, Protection of Sexually Exploited Children, and the Drug Endangered Children Act.
• Identify issues and trend that inform potential changes and improvements to standards/practice/policy specific to placement resources, which include kinship, foster, group and campus-based treatment programs.
• Maintenance and/or revision of the provincial practice/program/policy/regulations by ensuring that they reflect new trends, trauma informed research, cultural considerations, directions, and best practices and to incorporate service quality dimensions.
• Ensure changes to policy, practice and program development support improved and streamlined processes that contribute to safety and well being across the Child Intervention (CI) placement continuum fir children and youth in care.
• Lead special projects and initiatives that contribute to enhanced quality of services, programs, and directions.

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 bring the following competencies:

• Agility: Creates and adaptable environment. Fosters agility, proactive and flexible practices. Leads and creates momentum for change. Champions plan of action and overcome barriers through proactive anticipation. Quickly understands and reacts to environment, establishing flexible culture.
• 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.
• Creative Problem Solving: Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues. Engages perspective to seek root causes. Finds ways o improve complex systems. Employes resources from other areas to solve problems. Engages others and encourage debate and idea generation to solve problems while addressing risks.
• Systems Thinking: Takes a long-term view towards organization’s objectives and how to achieve them. Takes holistic long-term view of challenges and opportunities. Anticipates outcomes and potential impacts, seeks stakeholder perspective. Works towards actions and plans aligned with APS values. Works with others to identify areas for collaboration.

Qualifications

Education:

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

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 maybe considered:

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

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 directly related experience.

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years recent Child Intervention Delivery in Alberta, supervisory experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act (CYFEA), Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act, Drug Endangered Children Act, and other related Acts, regulations, and policies (i.e. Residential Facility Licensing Regulations, FOIP, an Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth, and families).
• Knowledge of Indigenous communities and government agreements/delegations.
• Experience managing diverse, complex, and sensitive assignments.
• Experience in dealing effectively with a wide cross section of professionals, community sectors, groups, and individuals, doing public presentations and chair meetings including facilitation, consensus-building, and conflict management.
• Experience in research planning, design, project management, implementation, and evaluation.
• Experience using Microsoft Office is required.
• Strong political acumen and organizational awareness.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong data analysis skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to consult, co-ordinate and synthesize in a work climate of rapid change,
• independence with conceptual and analytical focus.
• Knowledge of departmental information systems (e.g., Intranet, Internet).
• Knowledge of approval process for decision-making.
• Knowledge of research methods.

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

There are 2 full-time permanent positions.

Hours of Work:
Monday to Friday, 36.25 hours per week (full-time).

Location:
Edmonton, AB (other locations in Alberta will be considered).

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 hour shifts/week).
• Complete all pre-screening questions.

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

Successful Candidate for this position will undergo an academic check, intervention record check and provide suitable security screening. This position requires an Enhanced Security Clearance that will be conducted for the successful candidate.

Role Requirements:

• You carry a valid Class 5 Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle.
• 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/

It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) (https://www.alberta.ca/international-qualifications-assessment.aspx) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information (:/https/canalliance.org/en/default.html). It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment services as part of their application.

Travel:

• Occasional travel will be required in the role in Alberta and out of province if the need arises. 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 vehicles when government fleet vehicles are not available. Appropriate insurance is required.

Other Information:

• Temporary Assignments and Secondments may be considered.
• Relocation expenses will not be provided.
• Consideration will be given to locating the position outside of Edmonton. Successful candidates must reside in Alberta.

Notes continued

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 support directive - https://www.alberta.ca/caprofessional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca/careers
• 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

How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.

Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please visit https://www.alberta.ca/job-application-resources#before for more information. Please visit Recruitment Principles, for more information.

It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)(https://www.alberta.ca/international-qualifications-assessment.aspx) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information (https://canalliance.org/en/default.html).


It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.


Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.


We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Lori Casey at [email protected].