Family Court Counsellor

Job Information
Job Title: Family Court Counsellor
Job Requisition ID: 76190
Ministry: Justice
Location: Grande Prairie
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Temporary (anticipated end date of March 31, 2027)
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: November 24, 2025
Classification: Human Services Worker 5
Salary: $2,788.55 to $3,604.73 bi-weekly ($72,781 - $94,083 per year)

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 Court and Justice Services (CJS) Division provides a wide range of resolution and court services for people involved in legal disputes. In collaboration with the courts of Alberta, Court and Justice Services provides various programs and services including educating and helping Albertans find solutions for legal issues, navigating the court system, offering programs at no cost or a nominal charge, and administrative support to all courts in Alberta. To learn more about Court and Justice Services, please follow the link at https://www.alberta.ca/court-and-justice-services.aspx .

Within CJS, Family Court Counsellors provide Albertans with a wide range of service delivery expertise including safety screening, assessment, education, limited conflict resolution assistance, limited support inside and outside the courtroom, guidance, information, referrals, and resources in relation to parenting from two homes. For more information please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/family-court-assistance.aspx .

As a Family Court Counsellor, you will work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues in the same location and across the province, ensuring seamless service delivery to Albertans. Your strong working relationships with Court Operations, Judiciary, and the legal community will be crucial in delivering exceptional services to clients and supporting the operations of the Alberta Court of Justice and/or King’s Bench Family Court.

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

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.

- Demonstrate 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.

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, Court of King’s Bench Family Docket Court, and Court of King’s Bench Regular Chambers.

- Respond to actions, directions and requests from the judiciary that fall within the scope of the role.

Role Continue

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.

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 bring:

- Excellent verbal and written communication 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 independently, 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.

Competencies

- AGILITY: You anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.

- SYSTEMS THINKING: You consistently take a holistic and long-term view of challenges and opportunities at multiple levels across related areas.

- DEVELOP NETWORKS: You proactively connect and build trust in relationships with different stakeholders.

- BUILD COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENTS: You lead and contribute to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.

- CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING: You assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

- DRIVE FOR RESULTS: You identify what outcomes are important and maximize the use of resources.

Qualifications

Required: A Bachelor of Social Work Degree with some related experience in areas such as conducting client interviews and assessments.

Equivalencies considered:

- Master of Social Work (no experience required), OR

- Related University Degree (e.g., Dispute Resolution, Sociology, Psychology, Law, etc.) and 2 years related experience, OR

- Related Diploma and 3 years related experience, OR

- Related Certificate and 4 years related experience.

Application Requirements: All applicants are required to submit a cover letter (approximately 300–400 words) describing how your qualifications, experience, and skills would be suitable for this position. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

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 a North American university 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.

Prepare to provide registration details if requested. For more information, please visit: http://www.acsw.ab.ca/

Assets

- Work experience in family violence dynamics.

- Work experience in demonstrating interview and assessment techniques and skills, including safety screening.

- Working knowledge of Family Law Act.

- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) training including mediation.

- Position Available: One temporary, full-time position with an anticipated end date of March 31, 2027.

- Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 8:15 AM‑4:30 PM, 36.25 hours a week.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks 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.

Employment Benefits

- Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.

- 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.

Resume instructions:

- For employment experience: indicate duration of employment (month, year) and specify employment status (e.g., casual, part-time, or full-time).

- For post-secondary education: specify major and length of program, and year graduated.

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.

Applicants completing studies outside of Canada should obtain credential evaluation from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit https://canalliance.org/en/default.html for more information.

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. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted. For further information or accommodations during the recruitment process, contact Krista Lammie at Krista.Lammie@gov.ab.ca.

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