Foster Care Program Manager

**The Program**

WJS Canada provides social services to children, youth, adults and families facing difficulties. We take a personalized, trauma-informed approach to care in an environment of cultural respect and support. We provide foster and kinship parents the tools and resources to help them meet the needs of the youth in their care.

The Foster Care Program recruits, orients and trains new foster families based on established criteria and completes SAFE (Structured Analysis Family Evaluation) home studies as required with each contracted provider. It oversees contracted foster care families and meets with them as required. The program also connects foster families with community support resources, plans for transitions, and monitors quality of care.

**In Your Role You Will**
- Assist the Program Director to develop, implement, manage and evaluate high-quality, outcome-based family services programming.
- Hire, train and mentor Foster Care Support Workers and other staff.
- Supervise, assign and monitor caseloads.
- Promote WJS Canada family services programs and community initiatives.
- Advocate for clients.
- Maintain electronic client files and report program/service outcomes
- Attend Child and Family Services (CFS) case conferencing.
- Assist in future contract negotiations with funders.

**The Position**

The Program Manager manages the Foster Care Program.

Drawing upon extensive social services leadership experience, you will lead a diverse group of dedicated social work professionals and ensure the program delivers life-changing support and services within the community.

Hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm with some evenings and weekends required.

Will be required to have own transportation and be able to travel to the following: Edmonton, Lac La Biche, Vegreville, Slave Lake, and High Prairie and surrounding areas. Should possess a valid Driver’s License, reliable vehicle with appropriate insurance, and acceptable driver’s abstract.

**Criminal Record Check/Ministry Check Statement**

** Prior to confirmation of employment all applicants must provide a current (dated within 6 months of hiring date) Criminal Record Check and Ministry Check. These checks can take up to 6 weeks to obtain, please ensure you prepare accordingly.**
- Bachelors Degree: Social Work, Child and Youth Work, Sociology or Psychology, etc.
- Management experience: 5 years
- Training in Signs of Safety, Solution Focused Training, Attachment Theory, Trauma Informed Care and Collaborative Service Delivery and good knowledge of Children's Services.
- Strong interpersonal communications skills; able to foster cooperative work environment and community.
- Indigenous culture and cultural sensitivity.
- Conflict resolution, mediation and crisis prevention and intervention skills.
- Understanding of Alberta Child and Family Enhancement Act and Bill C-92.

Not sure you meet the requirements? We may be able to consider diverse combinations of skills, education and experience, so please apply.
**What WJS Canada does**

WJS keeps families strong through a variety of programs and services, including:

- Early Intervention
- Family Reunification, Preservation and Support
- Home Visitation
- Supported Family Time
- Child in Care Services
- Foster and Kinship Care and Support
- Personal and Family Counselling

**Our Employees Enjoy**
- Generous benefit packages including: 4 weeks annual vacation (5 weeks after 2 years of service), Employer-paid Dental & Extended Health with 100% prescription coverage, AD&D and $5,000 Dependent Life and more
- Matching RRSP plan for eligible employees
- Staff training and opportunities to learn/work in a wide array of programs.
- An empowering balance of independence and supervision.
- Best practices programming and innovative care.

**Website reference**

**Closing Statement**

Equal-Opportunity Employer