Job Specification

Purpose :

To develop, plan, implement, administer and evaluate a diversified social work, rehabilitation and classification program within an adult/youth secure facility.

To assist with the establishment of social work policies, procedures, and practices and provide professional social work consultation to social workers within a designated area of the province.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Develops, plans, implements, coordinates and evaluates the social work, classification and rehabilitation programs within a facility giving consideration to the nature of the facility, clients, resources available and Performance Framework Outcomes. Ensures proper assessment, evaluation and classification of those admitted and discharged and ensures proper documentation of intervention/interactions with the offenders.
2. Provides direction to subordinate staff, counseling in proper treatment methods/practices; provides professional social work advice for correctional staff to support the rehabilitative program and desired outcomes for client programming and coordinates and/or supervises undergraduate and graduate students during field placements.
3. Provides liaison services between the facility and various community agencies/groups such as community resource centres, Police Departments, Ontario Parole Boards, other branches of the Criminal Justice System and treatment/psychiatric facilities; coordinates and/or carries out public relations functions (e.g. presentation to schools, etc.) advising families, judges, lawyers, police, etc. of programs available within the Ministry, the facility and the community.
4. Identifies individual and familial needs, matching identified needs to specific programs/services or making appropriate referrals to community agencies as part of the discharge planning process; provides consultation on challenging and difficult to manage clients; performs client classification and provides other rehabilitative/social work services to clients within the facility as well as to their families as required.
5. Assists with the review, development and formulation of facility policies, goals and objectives as they relate to social work and rehabilitative programs/services; provides input into general facility policies and procedures and participates on working committees as a management representative, as required.
6. Participates in meetings with provincial, regional or local programs/social services department heads and stakeholders to discuss objectives and requirements for professional social work/social service, rehabilitative programming/standards including establishing research objectives and identifying program variations and new initiatives.

Managerial Responsibilities
1. Delivers a program/service through supervision, planning, and coordinating the daily operations of assigned team.
2. Supports a values-based and inclusive team through technical, administrative, and operational direction to staff. Assigns and coordinates work, evaluates performance, identifies staff training needs and escalates employee relations matters.
3. Controls and monitors allocated operation budget for the unit/program and regularly provides assurance reports on financial activities.
4. Provides quality client service to stakeholders.

Qualifications :

Registration as a Social Worker in good standing with the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers of Ontario.

Factors :

Knowledge :

Ministry strategic directions, policies, programs and service delivery models, to provide operational management of a program area, service or initiative, to determine and plan for program resource requirements and to ensure alignment of programs/projects with corporate, division and branch goals and objectives.

Human resources practices, policies, directives and collective agreements in relation to recruitment, training and development and labour relations to support an inclusive and engaged team; address employee issues and to support talent management.

Government and ministry financial and administrative procedures, to manage and control allocated financial and material resources, including developing annual budgets, and managing assets and contract service providers.

Expertise in project management principles and methodologies to manage the delivery of program plans, initiatives and goals.

Treatment plans, and assessment methods to determine client behaviour/needs/mental health concerns in order to assess progress and recommend changes.

Current social work and rehabilitative theories and techniques as they apply to crisis intervention, classification, programming and counselling/treatment within a correctional environment.

Gender responsive and anti-oppressive practices and approaches to meet the needs of the demographic representation of clients.

Program Responsibility :

Responsible for planning, developing, and managing social work, rehabilitation and classification programs to meet the needs of clients demonstrating a wide range of adjustment difficulties, and ensuring compliance with professional and Ministry standards.

Responsible for monitoring and adapting ongoing programming based on changing needs of the client population. When new policies are implemented, works closely with social workers, program staff and other managers to ensure the needs of clients are met and that they understand and have access to appropriate resources.

Responsible for providing liaison services to community services/agencies, health/mental health services, psychiatric/treatment facilities, government agencies/ministries and the public.

Analytical Thinking :

Interprets OPS and Ministry legislation, regulations and policy as they relate to social work/programming and identifies changes and developments in the field of social work and related areas.

Matches identified client needs to specific programs/services or makes appropriate referrals to community agencies as part of the discharge planning process.

Assesses and determines treatment plans and the application of current professionally acceptable counseling techniques for clients.

Interprets acts, regulations, ministry and facility policies, programs and objectives and social work principles to establish institutional social work policies, procedures and counseling that meets required standards.

Planning / Coordinating :

Coordinates and plans the delivery of a program, operation, service or project considering the strategy and mandate of the branch and ministry.

Determines financial, material and human resources needs, coordinates operations with other areas of the branch and division, and organizes work to meet program objectives. Participates in divisional results based and strategic planning, processes.

Coordinates consultation and advisory meetings relating to program/service initiative with external and internal stakeholders, partners and consultants.

Plans, develops, implements, coordinates and oversees the overall management of social work and rehabilitative services within a facility in accordance with professional standards and anticipate how the overall service will be delivered.

Identifies areas for improvements based on changes and developments in the field of social work and related areas.

Leadership/Guidance :

Manages its team(s) by communicating values, strategies, expectations, and promotes an engaged and inclusive environment.

Ensures that identified organizational standards and operational goals are met by: contributing to succession planning; establishing performance standards; conducting regular performance management reviews; recommending merit increases; determining the organization of the work unit and by building individual and team competencies

Identifies and recommends staffing needs, conducts recruitment and selection activities, manages orientation/training, develops remedial plans; addresses employee/labour relations/employee matters.

Independence of Action :

Works under the general direction of the manager /management team and within the framework of ministry, division, branch policies, directives, guidelines and objectives.

Exercises independence of action in participating and providing program/service recommendations as a member of the management team. Provides expert opinions/briefings, advice to senior management on identified and emerging issues impacting program or service goals, outcomes or efficiencies.

Exercises discretion and independent judgment to determine and manage work activities where past practices may not exist.

Plans local social work, rehabilitative and classification programs to meet facility needs and Ministry objectives within the confines of existing financial and staff resources; assesses and evaluates existing programs and determines the need for new and revised programs in resolving program conflicts or disagreements between correctional and professional staff.

Interpersonal/Communication :

Communicates with facility management, professional and medical staff to discuss security, program planning, provide/receive advice and exchange information on clients and standards of service delivery.

Exchanges information with criminal justice partners and other stakeholders in accordance with ministry policies and professional social work standards.

Liaises with facilities, staff and various community agencies and committees.

Physical Effort :

The majority of time is spent in an office environment with frequent opportunity to move about. Occasionally, moves/lifts light objects.

Sensory Effort :

Requires a moderate level of concentration when providing professional consultations.

Working Conditions :

Work is performed in an office environment within a facility with private offices for professional consultations with exposure to distressing circumstances when meeting with clients.