Programs and Innovation Specialist

Programs and Innovation Specialist
Chrysalis, An Alberta Society for Citizens with Disabilities

**Job description**:

- The Programs and Innovations (PI) Specialist is a critical position to deliver results and meet_
- business objectives. This position is a critical role in leading our Human Centered Design (HCD)_
- service delivery model and innovative programs at Chrysalis supporting people accessing service to_
- work towards their goals by planning, creating and implementing meaningful recreational day_
- programs. The Programs and Innovations Specialist will play a key position in refining and_
- strengthening the organization’s culture, systems, programs to promote our Chrysalis motto of_
- Change, Growth and Opportunity._

Essential Responsibilities:

- Key influence and leader of Human Centered Design at Chrysalis.
- Collaborate with the Recreation Coordinator and Specialists team to schedule and implement 8-week program plans in all areas of recreation and wellness.
- Support and train front-line staff to confidently and effectively implement program plans.
- Complete ongoing assessments of Chrysalis Community Access recreational programs utilizing a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods to ensure high quality and meaningful programs continue to meet the needs of people accessing service.
- Support in the planning and implementation of internal and external special events for
Chrysalis people accessing service.
- Leading staff and people in service through all phases of Human-Centered Design on a yearly basis:
Discovery, Ideation, Prototyping, Implementation
- Supporting the organization in all areas of Human Centred Design including community access and employment streams. This may involve administrative or direct support to people accessing service.
- Providing Human Centred Design & Heart of Chrysalis training to the workforce on a quarterly basis.
- Effectively working with the team (front line staff and leadership) to reach solutions to unanticipated challenges and adopt key learning for future improvement in implementation and client service / staff experience.
- Sharing successes and learnings and working closely with the Calgary Specialists on HCD and program planning.
- Profiling accomplishments through regular internal communications (i.e. Good News
Stories, Chrysalis Newsletter) and external (i.e. local conferences, such as the Alberta
Council of Disability Services, City of Edmonton Interagency Committee on Inclusive
Recreation and other opportunities that come available).
- Mentoring staff, leading individual and group discussions and acting liaison with leadership to ensure the on-going success of Human-Centred Design within the organization utilizing the key tenets of creative confidence, empathy, optimism, iteration, learning from experience/challenges and embracing ambiguity in all professional aspects.
- Key lead and oversight of MyCompass (HCD Platform), which includes: training staff, people in service and families on MyCompass.
- Working closely with the Recreation Coordinator and Programs & Innovations Specialists to contribute to the success of Chrysalis’ Community Access (3000) recreational programs.
- Ensure people accessing service (individuals) goals are at the forefront of programming provided as identified through the Human Centred Design model.
- Building relationships with external partners through HCD by networking and forming partnerships that are beneficial to Chrysalis and people accessing service.

**Core Competencies**:

- Building relationships
- Effective Communication
- Creative Problem Solving and Decision Making
- Flexibility
- Focus on Individuals
- Interpersonal Relations and Respect
- Leading and Developing others
- Innovative
- Professional Excellence
- Maintaining a Safe and Healthy Workplace
- Risk Management
- Strategic Thinking and Visioning
- Self-Control
- Values and Ethics
- Observing
- Assessing insights
- Empathy

**Outcome Measures**

Programs & Innovations team is consistently and effectively implementing programming that is informed by principles identified under Human Centred Design.

Support in the assessment and continual improvement of recreational programs utilizing key performance indicators (KPI).

MyCompass profiles reflect information received through HCD (ideas/goals identified, prototyping action items).

Demonstrated increase in client outcomes/success stories (volunteerism, recreational opportunities, new connections/partnerships, etc.).

HCD will expand beyond Chrysalis, which could include partnerships with the education system and agencies throughout the Province.

**Additional Requirements/Notes**:
Previous experience supporting people with disabilities (an asset)

Experience developing and implementing recreation, education or sport program plans would be considered an asset.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Demonstrates or identifies continued commitment to personal and professional growth

C