Job Description

Reporting to: Child Protection Supervisor
Classification: Short Term Contract Opportunity to back fill leaves of absences. Child Protection Worker (2 vacancies); 35 hours weekly for 1-6 month duration, union
Salary Range: Based on $64,174 – 87,092 per annum
Starting Date: As soon as possible
Application deadline: Ongoing. Resumes will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Application Procedure: Apply through the Career section of our website: https://hccas.ca/

MISSION
Guided by Catholic values and teachings, we serve and offer bilingual (English/French) service to children, youth and families within the Hamilton community to protect their safety and well-being, strengthen families and nurture lifelong relationships.
The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of the city of Hamilton and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.
Qualified candidates must have the skills and knowledge needed to work with an increasingly diverse population as well as knowledge of inequities, how they are perpetuated, and the skills to address them, specific to the requirements of the job.
We are currently seeking Authorized Child Protection Workers to join our team on a full-time short term contract basis. This position will include the ongoing and investigation roles. The successful candidate must be Authorized by the OACAS in the province of Ontario.

Duties:

• Carries out all accountabilities according to the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (Ministry) standards, Protocols, and Agency policies and procedures, and manuals.
• Responds to allegations of child maltreatment according to the Ontario Child Protection Standards.
• Develops and implements comprehensive plan to provide for protection of children within families or prevention of circumstances requiring the protection of children.
• Strength based approach to determine the strengths, needs, protective factors to develop safety plans and intervention strategies.
• Undertakes planning to safely reintegrate children while continuously monitoring effectiveness of plan.
• Carries out duties associated with legal requirements and court appearances. Documentation meets evidentiary requirements for court for both child protection and other court proceedings.
• Conducts child protection investigations including reviewing any relevant child protection records, conducting investigative interviews of children, caregivers, other family members, and appropriate additional information sources such as school personnel, police and witnesses.
• Intervenes in crisis situations and initiates a range of immediate protective actions, as required, which may include movement of children at risk to a place of safety as mandated by the Child, Youth and Family Services Act.
• Initiates a relationship with the child and the family to facilitate an accurate and thorough assessment of the protection issues and client needs, to inform the service plan and to effectively respond to problems and reduce the potential for risk to the child/children.
• Coordinates and facilitates admissions by advising the Resources Placement Department of all relevant case information, preparing required documents, addressing separation issues, and providing support to the child and family in the admission process.
• Provides information and consultation to Children’s Services Workers and/or Resource Parents regarding case information and the specific needs of children.
• Leads and participates in consultations and case conferences.
• Documents in CPIN a record of all contacts, interventions, supervisor consultation as well as maintaining a record of all relevant reports and correspondence.
• Provides information and referrals to service recipients to access community services.
• Monitor and document the care, health, and well-being of children in their home.
• Advocate with, and make referrals to, service providers and other professionals with respect to understanding and meeting the needs of service recipients.
• Regularly attends assigned schools and develops relationships with principals and school staff to enhance services provided to families.
• Provides presentations about child protection services to assigned schools.
• Monitor and document the behaviour of caregivers, including identification of issues arising from substance abuse, and/or intimate partner violence.
• Observe, report and record details of contacts with clients. To review case documentation and report on cases to supervisor on a regular basis.
• Attends unit meetings, participate in unit program evaluation and development and to keep current on professional development opportunities.
• Actively participates and attends regular supervision. Ensures supervisor is made aware of case management issues and concerns, client contacts, standard compliance and paperwork and recordings.
• Plans and schedules duties in an organized manner to ensure priorities and deadlines are met.
• The agency reserves the right to designate the work and the school this position will support.
• Provides coverage duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
• MSW or BSW is preferred; consideration will be given for a relevant undergraduate university degree or social services college degree with a combination of education and experience.
• 1-3 years of experience in a child welfare agency is desired;
• Authorized Child Protection Worker by the OACAS in the province of Ontario
• Lived experience as a member of an equity seeking group is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and skills working with diverse ethnic and racial communities.
• Demonstrated capacity and ability in the following areas:
o Forensic and clinical interviewing, reasoning and assessment skills;
o Tact and diplomacy, with the ability to be decisive and effective under pressure;
o Work effectively and strategically in a multi-disciplinary team;
o Superior communication and presentation skills;
o Ability to liaise and bridge services;
o Excellent crisis intervention skills;
o Excellent time management skills.
• It is essential that the incumbent be comfortable with engaging and working with individual reluctant to receiving service from the agency.
• Demonstrated skills in psycho-social assessment, ability to plan and implement a variety of interventions, make differential use of various treatment modalities and counseling practices.
• An understanding of social casework principles as they relate to service delivery to families and children. Experience working with children and families facing multiple challenges.
• Ability to write timely, clear, concise case notes, recordings and reports.
• Effective time management skills, conducting investigations in a timely manner and completing administrative tasks within specified deadlines.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills to establish and maintain open, trusting and approachable relationships with adolescents through outreach and youth engagement strategies.
• Ability to effectively engage with families, youth, and children.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skillful use of Signs of Safety.
• Knowledge and commitment to anti-oppressive/anti-racist philosophy.

Additional Requirements for this Position:
• Computer literate with demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft office and proprietary child welfare systems and programs.
• Demonstrates a commitment to, and work ethic in leadership and role models behaviours that demonstrates the Mission and Vision of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society.
• Able to affirm and integrate in the delivery of services the Society values which reflect the Agency’s Catholic faith, heritage, culture and traditions.
• Bilingual French/English is an asset
• Respectful and compassionate demeanor.
• At the time of hire, documents required will include:
o Police clearance
o Provincial Child Protection Record Check
o Valid Ontario Driver’s license and acceptable drivers abstract.
o Provincial check of Authorization with OACAS where necessary.
The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of the city of Hamilton and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.
The Agency is inviting applications from qualified individuals who self-identify as being part of one or more of the under-represented equity groups. During the online applications process, applicants will have the opportunity to complete the online questionnaire to indicate if they self-identify as being part of an equity seeking group. Answering the questionnaire is voluntary. If the questionnaire is not completed by an applicant, they will not be considered as being from an equity seeking group.
Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton is committed to ensuring a unbiased selection process that values equity, diversity and inclusion and reflects the Hamilton Catholic community that we serve.
In order to minimize interviewer bias we have incorporated the following into our selection process:
1. We will have our interview panel score written assignments blind to eliminate bias
2. We will seek out recent examples on behavior-based questions during the interview process
3. We will review a candidate’s lived experience during the interview and when assessing staffing needs
4. We provide accommodations in accordance with AODA and the Ontario Human Rights Code
5. We will hold your application in strict and professional confidence
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building on inclusive process that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please inform Human Resources at the time when you are invited for an interview.

Required languages: English

Education level: • MSW or BSW is preferred; consideration will be given for a relevant undergraduate university degree or social services college degree with a combination of education and experience.

Required skills: • MSW or BSW is preferred; consideration will be given for a relevant undergraduate university degree or social services college degree with a combination of education and experience. • 1-3 years of experience in a child welfare agency is desired; • Authorized Child Protection Worker by the OACAS in the province of Ontario • Lived experience as a member of an equity seeking group is preferred. • Demonstrated experience and skills working with diverse ethnic and racial communities. • Demonstrated capacity and ability in the following areas: o Forensic and clinical interviewing, reasoning and assessment skills; o Tact and diplomacy, with the ability to be decisive and effective under pressure; o Work effectively and strategically in a multi-disciplinary team; o Superior communication and presentation skills; o Ability to liaise and bridge services; o Excellent crisis intervention skills; o Excellent time management skills. • It is essential that the incumbent be comfortable with engaging and working with individual reluctant to receiving service from the agency. • Demonstrated skills in psycho-social assessment, ability to plan and implement a variety of interventions, make differential use of various treatment modalities and counseling practices. • An understanding of social casework principles as they relate to service delivery to families and children. Experience working with children and families facing multiple challenges. • Ability to write timely, clear, concise case notes, recordings and reports. • Effective time management skills, conducting investigations in a timely manner and completing administrative tasks within specified deadlines. • Effective interpersonal and communication skills to establish and maintain open, trusting and approachable relationships with adolescents through outreach and youth engagement strategies. • Ability to effectively engage with families, youth, and children. • Demonstrated knowledge and skillful use of Signs of Safety. • Knowledge and commitment to anti-oppressive/anti-racist philosophy. Additional Requirements for this Position: • Computer literate with demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft office and proprietary child welfare systems and programs. • Demonstrates a commitment to, and work ethic in leadership and role models behaviours that demonstrates the Mission and Vision of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society. • Able to affirm and integrate in the delivery of services the Society values which reflect the Agency’s Catholic faith, heritage, culture and traditions. • Bilingual French/English is an asset • Respectful and compassionate demeanor. • At the time of hire, documents required will include: o Police clearance o Provincial Child Protection Record Check o Valid Ontario Driver’s license and acceptable drivers abstract. o Provincial check of Authorization with OACAS where necessary.

Closest intersection: Sanford Avenue and King Street East