Role Responsibilities

As a member of the North Zone Child Support Services (CSS) Delivery team, you will help single parents with low incomes negotiate child support agreements or court orders, so they receive child support money from the other parent. Child Support Services recognizes that every family situation is unique. Utilizing various legislative authorities to deliver Child Support Services, you will work collaboratively with parents to ensure that their children get the support that they need.

The Child Support Worker (CSW) role requires strong assessment skills to gather and analyze client information while maintaining confidentiality. The CSW works closely with government partners and legal representatives and must demonstrate effective communication, sound judgment, and a solid understanding of court procedures and legal protocols. The role also involves interpreting legislation and policy, managing conflict, and providing crisis intervention to support clients through complex and often sensitive situations.

Success in this role requires the ability to remain calm and patient under pressure, manage stress effectively, and make accurate, timely decisions in a fast-paced environment. Strong organizational, time management, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills are essential to manage a high-volume caseload and meet strict deadlines.

This position offers the opportunity to work closely with the justice system while contributing to the North Zone Child Support Services team. The team is committed to professionalism and to providing vulnerable Albertans with accessible, responsive support and connections to essential provincial programs and services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Needs Determination/Assessment: Conduct interviews to gather evidence, assess the applicant’s needs and legal rights, determine the course of action for support.
• Investigating/Respondent Assessment: Locate and interview respondents, obtain financial disclosures, and assess employment/financial status to determine the appropriate intervention for child support matters.
• Negotiating: Negotiate and gather evidence to secure child support agreements/orders on behalf of the Crown and applicants, ensuring compliance with legislated guidelines.
• Court Action: Prepare and present evidence for court, mediate with respondents and their legal counsel, prepare legal documents, and liaise with Maintenance Enforcement Program staff for order registration.
• Community Liaison: Build and maintain relationships with partners, including lawyers, judges, court staff, and community agencies, to facilitate collaboration on child support matters.
• Referral: Make referrals to related services such as legal aid, employment support, or counselling based on the applicant’s needs.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:

https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Agility: Adapts quickly to changing client circumstances, legal requirements, and court processes while balancing voluntary and non-voluntary cases. Responds effectively to risk, safety concerns, and emerging information to protect the best interests of children.
• Drive For Results: Takes ownership for progressing cases to secure timely, legally sound child support agreements or court orders. Persists through complexity and resistance to achieve outcomes that support children and families.
• Build Collaborative Environment: Builds effective working relationships with applicants, respondents, legal counsel, courts, and community partners. Communicates clearly and respectfully to facilitate cooperation, negotiation, and shared outcomes.
• Systems Thinking: Considers legal, financial, social, and safety factors when determining the most appropriate and least intrusive approach to child support. Integrates legislation, court processes, and community supports to inform decisions.
• Critical Problem Solving: Analyzes complex and incomplete information to assess risk, determine evidence requirements, and resolve disputed child support matters. Exercises sound judgment to select appropriate strategies that withstand legal scrutiny.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field (i.e. Social Sciences, Psychology, Health Services, Community Rehabilitation, Disability Studies etc.) plus 2 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related experience or education considered on the basis of: one year of experience for one year of education or one year of education for one year of experience.

Assets:

• Experience working in human and social services, including Assisted Living and Social Services (ALSS), with exposure to family violence, crisis intervention, trauma-informed practice, mental health, addictions, and family dynamics.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse, multicultural client groups using a respectful, culturally responsive, and client-centred approach.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation and policy interpretation and application (e.g., Income and Employment Supports Act and Regulations, Family Law Act, FOIP, Commissioner for Oaths Act).
• Experience conducting comprehensive client assessments, documenting information accurately, and managing case files with strong attention to detail and adherence to best practices.
• Understanding of legal terminology, legal documents (e.g., affidavits), and court or quasi-judicial processes; Commissioner for Oaths designation is an asset.
• Proficiency with computer systems and case management databases, including Microsoft Office and in-house systems (e.g., LISA/CCD, TOMIS, MEP/MIMS).
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating effectively with team members located across multiple regional offices.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This competition is for 1 Temporary full time position available until January 2027.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

Hours of Work: This position works Monday to Friday, 36.25-hours a week.

Location: Hinton/Edson, Alberta

The final candidate for this position will undergo appropriate pre-employment checks and provide a suitable security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted 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.

Application Requirements: 

• There would be a written assessment as part of the hiring process. Please ensure to provide your current email address in your resume.
• A cover letter outlining your experience and assets that aligns with this position is required.
• In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also indicate indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time.
• A driver’s license and reliable vehicle is a requirement of this position.
• Complete all pre-screening questions.
• Please be advised that your current supervisor and manager will be contacted as references.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.