Education

Bachelor's

Skills

Communication skills

Job Information

Job Requisition ID: 48468
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: September 28, 2023

Classification: Human Services Worker 5E
Ministry: Office of the Child & Youth Advocate
Location: Edmonton
Employment type: Temporary salary (12 months)
Full or Part-time: Full-time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week

About Us

The Office of the Child and Youth Advocate (OCYA) is an Office of the Legislature. Our Office provides advocacy for children and youth receiving or seeking to receive services under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act and the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act, and youth involved with the youth justice system. The OCYA is also responsible for providing legal representation for young people in matters related to the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act and the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act. The OCYA conducts investigations and reports on systemic issues arising from the serious injury to or death of a child. The OCYA engages stakeholders in understanding the importance of respecting young people’s individual and collective rights, interests, and viewpoints, as well as delivers public education.

The impact of colonialism continues to adversely affect Indigenous young people, their families, and their communities. Intergenerational trauma, systemic racism, and the legacy of residential schools are experienced by many Indigenous young people, who continue to be overrepresented in the child intervention system. The OCYA is deeply committed to reconciliation, and a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans. We are committed to a workplace that welcomes, respects and values the diversity of our employees. We also support them to be actively engaged in the workplace and the work we do to meet the needs of Alberta's young people.

Role

We are seeking a passionate and committed individual to join the Intake team at the OCYA. Intake plays an important role at the OCYA as this is often the first point of contact for many young people and individuals contacting the office. The Intake team also plays an integral role in providing information to young people about their rights and connecting them to the appropriate advocacy services in Alberta.

As an Intake Worker you will use your strong communication and assessment skills in determining whether the services and assistance of an advocate or lawyer are required for young people. You will also provide information to callers on children’s rights and community resources and assist them with systems navigation. You will identify and bring forward systemic issues that arise through intake screenings and ensure client intakes and referrals are appropriately documented. Drawing on experience, you have abilities in information gathering, assessment, de-escalation and negotiation which are key in this role.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Social Work Degree (BSW) or related university degree plus 2 to 3 years related experience. Equivalencies may be considered. Strong verbal, interpersonal and written communications skills are required to respond respectfully and professionally to inquiries from people of all ages and to provide timely and client focused services.

Experience working with Alberta’s child intervention and/or youth justice systems, and knowledge of provincial legislation are assets.

Given the overrepresentation of Indigenous young people in the child intervention and youth justice systems, preference will be given to individuals who self-identify and are known to others as Indigenous or who have had extensive experience working with Indigenous peoples and communities.

To be considered for this position, your application must include a cover letter that identifies your knowledge and experience with young people involved with Children and Family Services or Youth Justice, and how you currently demonstrate the critical competencies identified below.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviours that are essential to reach the Alberta Public Service (APS) 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. Learn more about the competency model here: APS competency model

The critical competencies for success in this role are:

Agility – anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.

Creative Problem Solving – assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Develop Networks – proactively build networks, connecting and building trust in relationships with different stakeholders.

Build Collaborative Environments – lead and contribute to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.

To be considered for this position, your application must include a cover letter which identifies how you demonstrate these competencies.

Salary

$2,628.47 to $3,397.79 bi-weekly.

Notes

This is a 12-month temporary salary position with full-time hours.

To move forward in our recruitment process, you must submit your resume along with a cover letter that identifies your knowledge and experience with young people involved with Children’s Services or Youth Justice, and how you currently demonstrate the critical competencies identified above.

This position is exempt from the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE). Final candidates will be required to undergo a Criminal Record Check and a Child Intervention Record Check. Anyone with a social work diploma/degree is required to be registered through the ACSW. This competition may be used to fill future vacancies.

How to Apply

Please visit

Existing employees should access the Career tile in 1GX to submit their application in order to be recognized as an internal applicant.

Candidates are required to apply online. If you are unable to apply online, or for a copy of the full job description, please contact Sandy Simpson at [email protected].

A covering letter demonstrating your ability to meet the above noted competencies and providing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how your qualifications meet the advertised requirements, is required to be included with your resume.

Tips for Applicants

It is recommended that applicants who have obtained educational credentials from outside of Canada and have not had them previously assessed, obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)

Closing Statement

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates’ education and experience best meets the needs of the position. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

If you require further information on this job posting, please contact Kate Gutteridge, Intake Supervisor at [email protected].