Assistant Director, Social Work Unit

Are you passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of families? Do you thrive in leadership roles and have a deep understanding of social work within the family law setting? If so, we invite you to apply for the Assistant Director of Social Work Unit position at Family Justice Services with the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General.

Family Justice Services is dedicated to fostering healthier, safer, and more supportive environments for families navigating the challenges of separation and divorce.
Our passionate team is committed to empowering families to move forward with strength and resilience by fostering understanding, safety, and stability.
We conduct objective court-ordered parenting assessments focused on the children's best interests.
We deliver mandated education programs to provide parents with strategies that help them and their children adjust after parental separation.
We arrange supervised parenting time or exchanges in a safe and neutral environment while prioritizing the well-being of children.

As the Assistant Director of Social Work Unit, you will lead a multidisciplinary team to bring neutrality, objectivity, and expertise to help families navigate the complexities of separation and divorce.
Reporting to the Director, you will also be part of a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing services and driving key leadership and management initiatives.
Your strategic vision and operational expertise will ensure our programs remain impactful and client-focused.

We are seeking a compassionate and empathetic individual who understands the challenges families face and approaches every case with care and respect.
You excel in building strong relationships, confidently engaging with clients, legal professionals, the judiciary, and other stakeholders.
If you are a natural leader who thrives on overcoming obstacles and finding innovative solutions, this role is the perfect fit for you!

Your responsibilities will include:

1. Overseeing the development and implementation of parenting assessments, supervised access and exchange services, parenting after separation and related programs.
2. Leading, mentoring, and supporting a team of skilled social workers, coordinators, and contractors, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
3. Ensuring services are delivered with the highest standards of professionalism, accuracy, neutrality, and objectivity.
4. Building and maintaining strong relationships with community partners, legal professionals, the judiciary, and families.
5. Collaborating with other professionals, including lawyers, the judiciary, and family service agencies, to ensure the best outcomes for families.
6. Developing and implementing new strategies to enhance service delivery and addressing emerging needs in family law and social work.
7. Ensuring all programs meet relevant legal, ethical, and organizational standards.

In your first year in the role, you will be responsible for leading a project to assess the current program offerings.
You will analyze existing services and develop innovative strategies to enhance these programs, with the goal of improving client outcomes.
Your focus will be on creating effective solutions that better support parents in ensuring their children's safety, stability, and well-being throughout the divorce and separation process.

Having an undergraduate degree in social work, human justice, psychology, or similar fields will typically provide you with the knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills necessary to excel in this role.
Several years of work experience working with families, particularly in the context of court-ordered services, is considered an asset.
A combination of education and experience may also be considered.
You will have proven leadership experience, with strong organizational and team-building skills.

You will have proven experience to:

1. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of family law, child welfare policies, and best practices in parenting assessments, parenting after separation education, and supervised access services.
2. Apply trauma-informed care principles and approaches.
3. Implement equity, diversity, and inclusion frameworks in social work settings.
4. Lead and build multidisciplinary teams by motivating and inspiring.
5. Organize and manage projects effectively, overseeing multiple programs and priorities.
6. Resolve conflicts and mediate complex family dynamics.
7. Communicate effectively in writing and verbally with diverse stakeholders.
8. Analyze program outcomes to drive evidence-based improvements.
9. Maintain composure and professionalism in high pressure or emotionally charged situations.
10. Build and sustain strong relationships with community partners, legal professionals, and families.
11. Plan strategically and implement innovative solutions to meet evolving client needs.
12. Commit to continuous professional growth and foster a learning-oriented team environment.

This position is a one-year term with a strong possibility of becoming permanent.
It's an opportunity to showcase your skills, contribute meaningfully, and potentially secure a long-term role within our organization.