Child & Youth Development Specialist

The city of Grande Prairie is located in northwest Alberta and has something for everyone! We are a growing city with close to 70,000 residents. In addition to a state-of-the-art recreation facility and new regional hospital, there are many outdoor and indoor activities available at our numerous parks and golf courses. Grand Prairie also has a vibrant arts and culture community, live theatre and a multitude of dining and shopping opportunities. We have an opportunity for a Child Development Specialist that is part of the Pediatric Rehabilitation Team. The Child Development Specialist provides case management, assessment, family education, and follow-up to children aged 0 to 5 years in the community who have a disability or are at risk of a significant development delay. Working closely and collaboratively with the Allied Health team and specific client groups or families, the Child Development Specialist plans, initiates, navigates and supports further social, emotional, intellectual and physical development. Your team will consist of of two other Infant and Child Development Coordinators, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Therapy Assistants, Social Work, and Dietitians. The team provides service to Grande Prairie, Beaverlodge, Hythe, Spirit River, Valleyview and Grande Cache, so travel will be required. AHS offers a competitive rate of pay and currently has a Remote Retention Allowance in place to an annual maximum of $3,000. This allowance is non-pensionable and is payable on an hourly basis for all hours paid at the basic rate of pay.

As a Child & Youth Development Specialist (CYDS), you will provide assessment, treatment and follow-up to children and youth in the community, educational system, and/or hospital setting who are at risk of or have a disability, and/or have a significant developmental delay. Using a family-centered care approach, you will create, implement and update family service plans specific to child/youth needs, adapting interventions/activities as appropriate. As a CYDS, you will observe, identify and report child developmental or behaviour difficulties and make recommendations to the appropriate interdisciplinary team. You will liaise with and provide referrals to other disciplines and external agencies as appropriate. You will provide information and education regarding child/youth development to parents, education providers, other interprofessionals and the community. You will support family funding and education/services placement applications and maintain printed resources and equipment for child and adolescent programs.

Completion of bachelor's degree in Child & Youth Care or a related field or equivalent education and experience.

Post secondary undergraduate degree training in Early Childhood or other related human services field required. Experience working with families an asset; knowledge and experience in family assessment and adult education desirable; Knowledge of: Stages of normal child development; developmental difficulties; Family dynamics and development; family intervention; philosophy, principles and practices; Theories of play as an approach to teaching young children; Adult learning theories. Travel Required

Resources and services available to families in the Region