Advocate

**Position title**

Advocate,

**Reports to**:
Director of Advocacy

**Salary Range**:
$54,365- $57,675

**Hours**:
1-year Term Position 40 hours per week

**Location**:
Edmonton and Area

**Inclusion Alberta**, as a family advocacy organization, is committed to providing individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families with personalized advocacy that contributes to a meaningful and inclusive life.  

Similarly, families and individuals with intellectual disabilities, including those with complex needs, require assistance in planning and securing an inclusive life. Some of the means to an inclusive life include maximally benefiting from individualized funding and other funding and supports as needed to be engaged as a participatory and valued community member.

We are currently seeking an advocate passionate about working with children and adults with intellectual disabilities to have access to a good, inclusive life in the community.

**Duties and responsibilities**:_This list is not conclusive; it is intended to summarize the primary duties and responsibilities. Staff may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. _

Advocate:

- Work directly with individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families to develop and articulate a vision for an inclusive life in the community and develop a plan to achieve this vision.
- Work directly with families, schools, and school divisions to advance the inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities in the general education classrooms.
- Work directly with families and their children with intellectual disabilities and with schools to address issues of access and quality in inclusive education.
- Serve as a resource and guide to families and individuals with intellectual disabilities to pursue support and services that enable inclusion
- Support families to develop a network that shares their inclusive vision for their loved ones and supports their pursuit of inclusion
- Advocate with and for families and individuals with intellectual disabilities in their efforts to nurture and develop inclusive communities
- Coordinate individual and family community engagement with all other Inclusion Alberta initiatives

**Qualifications**:

- A University degree in a related field or equivalent experience
- Holds a deep understanding of inclusion and an unwavering commitment to its principles
- Ability to facilitate collaboration amongst multiple community and government stakeholders
- Possess a working knowledge of the systems and supports available to families and individuals with intellectual disabilities in Alberta, specifically through the Ministry of Seniors Community and Social Services
- Political knowledge and insight
- Skilled in building partnerships, effectively managing priorities, continuously learning and improving, readily receiving feedback, establishing strong rapport, practicing generative listening, and effectively seeing the big picture.
- Excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team
- Competent writing ability
- Deep and abiding commitment to inclusive education and the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community and home life.
- Strong understanding of the K-12 school system is an asset.
- Strong research skills including previous experience understanding policy and legislation
- Strong problem-solving and listening skills.
- Direct experience in the education system is an asset.

**Working Conditions**:
This role is based in the Inclusion Alberta office in Edmonton, AB. and will require regular travel throughout Alberta, a vehicle is required.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract

**Salary**: $54,365.00-$57,675.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- Vision care

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person