RECENT OR POTENTIAL GRADS: Coordinator, Children in Care (Designated)

Competition # : 35931 

Department: Community Services

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: Exclusion – Non Union – NSPG

Closing Date: 7/6/2022 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

Designation Status

 

This opportunity is designated to applicants that identify as Indigenous, African Nova Scotian, Racially Visible Persons, and Persons with a Disability. You must self-identify during the application process.

 

Indigenous – persons who identify themselves as First Nation (Status and non-Status), Métis, or Inuit

 

African Nova Scotian – is any Nova Scotian who chooses to declare African ancestry, regardless of how long they have lived here and regardless of how much African ancestry they can declare.

 

Racially Visible Persons – persons, other than Indigenous people or African Nova Scotians, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.

 

Persons with Disabilities – persons who, for the purposes of employment, identify themselves or believe that an employer is likely to consider that the workplace environment may create a barrier due to a long-term or recurring physical, mental, sensory, hearing, neurological psychiatric or learning disability.

 

About Us

 

At the Department of Community Services (DCS), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child Youth and Family Support (CYFS), Employment Support (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support (DSP).

 

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure.  We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

 

About Our Opportunity

 

Our Child, Youth and Family Supports (CYFS) Division supports all children, families, and clients in the delivery of Child Welfare Programs across the province. As a leader on our CYFS team, the Coordinator of Children in Care directly impacts the delivery of high-quality service to Children in Care. You will deliver province-wide leadership and strategic planning in the development of our provincial policies, standards, and protocols. In addition to this, you will develop and evaluate casework and compliance in accordance with procedures and guidelines for Child in Care programs. You are also responsible for Provincial/Territorial Protocol on children and families moving between provinces and territories.

 

Your lived experiences are critical in supporting our rapidly changing diverse demographics in Nova Scotia and specifically our children and families who access our services and identify as being of African descent, Indigenous or Racially Visible persons.  With your experience, you will contribute to our department’s growth and ensure an inclusive, cultural lens to strategic decisions and services that fit the needs of children, youth and families.

 

Primary Accountabilities

 

You will support the work to ensure that the many needs of almost 1,000 children in care are met in a manner that ensures their continued growth and development while in the care of the Department of Community Services. You have an impactful and key role and will achieve this by:

 

• Leading the development of child centred, trauma informed policy, process and procedures related to children in care.
• Contributing to knowledge and learning opportunities for staff while supporting training and the development of relevant webinars.
• Coordinating and participating in significant transformational projects to ensure placement options for protection, children in care, adoption and residential services programs, in order to enhance the continuum of care for children and youth.
• Providing guidance, consultation, and advice to executive leaders, managers, and department staff regarding policies, procedures, complex cases and aspects about service delivery.
• Coordinating inter-departmental initiatives in conjunction with federal officials, the provincial Departments of Justice, Education, and Health along with various other provincial organizations.

 

Qualifications and Experience

 

You have a minimum of a Bachelor of Social Work Degree and five (5) years of leadership and/or supervisory experience; or a Master of Social Work degree and three (3) years of leadership and/or supervisory experience. You must be registered and in good standing (or eligible for registration) with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers.

 

You must possess an in-depth knowledge and demonstrated expertise with respect to child welfare and child protection programs and policies, as well as the Children and Family’s Services Act (CFSA) legislation, related acts, and other program policy, regulations, and procedures. Along with your excellent organizational skills, you effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders (both verbal and written) and have strong interpersonal abilities. Previous experience with leading and/or supervising in a group, project, or team environment is essential. Furthermore, you are confident in managing challenging situations and in making decisions impacting children in care and in your ability to support your team in doing the same.

 

You demonstrate a positive profile while making difficult decisions within a complex multi-system environment. You are highly motivated, adaptable to change, and have demonstrated experience in situations requiring innovative and proactive solutions. You have good judgement and make sound decisions which support the goals of the department.  Computer capabilities are required.

 

Leadership competencies required at this level of work are: Analytical Thinking, Action Management, Team Leadership, Initiative, Effective Interactive Communication, Partnering and Relationship Building, and Intercultural and Diversity Proficiency.

 

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

 

Benefits

 

Based on the employment status, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.

 

Working Conditions

 

Work is primarily within a comfortable office. There is occasional travel involved within the province, as such, you must have a valid driver’s license and ability to travel, as required.

 

Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day. This role does entail a high volume of work which may require longer than normal working hours and some overtime. Due to the multiple spheres of action and scope of responsibilities that this position requires, there is significant mental pressure, requiring your resilience. Your ability to work independently and under pressure is necessary as there is sustained pressure from deadlines and conflicting demands.

 

Additional Information

 

In accordance with the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Protocol in High-Risk Settings, full vaccination is a condition of employment for this opportunity.

 

What We Offer

 

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• Department specific flexible working schedules

 

Pay Grade:  EC 11

Salary Range:  $3,143.79 – $3,929.78 Bi-Weekly

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

 

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.