Permanent, Full-Time (1.0)
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To successfully apply for this position, please submit your application by 11:59 pm the day before the advertised closing date in the posting to ensure your application is received.
Ottawa is built on un-ceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. The peoples of the Algonquin Anishinabek Nation have lived on this territory for millennia and we honour them and this land. Their culture and presence have nurtured and continue to nurture this land. CHEO also honours all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their valuable past and present contributions to this land.
CHEO is one of the few stand-alone, global leaders in pediatric health and is home to more than 6,500 staff, clinicians, scientists and researchers, as well as volunteers – all of whom work together to help children and youth achieve their best lives. Within its own walls and through partnerships with community providers, CHEO has transformed from a 20th century acute care hospital into a 21st century integrated child and youth health system.
Ranked in the top 1% of Canadian hospitals for the digitization of its clinical infrastructure, CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research, and education to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when, and how it is needed. CHEO’s Research Institute is dedicated to world-class clinical, translational, and basic science research covering a wide range of children’s health concerns. CHEO has been named Canada’s best health-care employer by Forbes in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and is ranked second among Canadian hospitals on its list of Canada’s Best Employers for multiple consecutive years. For the 14th consecutive year in a row, the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers has recognized CHEO as a top employer in the National Capital Region. Every year CHEO helps more than 500,000 children and youth from Eastern Ontario, western Quebec, Nunavut and Northern Ontario.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Family Engagement Specialist leads the Knowledge Institute’s family engagement-related supports for the child and youth mental health and addictions (CYMHA) sector across Ontario. The Family Engagement Specialist works with CYMHA agencies to help build capacity for family engagement. The Family Engagement Specialist supports agencies to integrate family voices and lived expertise in the design and delivery of mental health and substance use health services and in system planning processes. The Family Engagement Specialist provides strategic advice to the Knowledge Institute’s leadership regarding family engagement and will support the development and enhancement of family engagement resources. The incumbent will have demonstrated experience navigating the child and youth mental health and addictions system as a family member or caregiver; excellent communication skills in English and French (both verbal and written); excellent networking skills and the ability to develop strong partnerships with agency leaders, service providers, youth and family members.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support the Knowledge Institute’s family engagement-related efforts for the child and youth mental and addictions (CYMHA) sector.
- Design and deliver relevant training and coaching, either in person or virtually, to CYMHA agencies looking to build their capacity in family engagement.
- Develop resources about family engagement.
- Serve as a liaison for family representatives participating on the Knowledge Institute’s Strategic Advisory Council and other councils/committees, as required.
- Support the coordination of the Knowledge Institute’s Family Advisory Council
- Respond to agency inquiries and needs related to family engagement within an organizational and/or system-level context.
- Provide strategic advice to the Knowledge Institute’s leadership team regarding family engagement.
- Identify and monitor metrics for engagement strategies.
- Utilize relevant data to make formal changes to the delivery of the Knowledge Institute’s family engagement training services.
- Pursue opportunities for new partnerships related to family engagement.
- Support Knowledge Institute staff to understand and apply family engagement practices across all programs.
- Explore innovative mechanisms to support internal and external learning and development related to family engagement.
- Mobilize the Knowledge Institute’s work in family engagement through the development of abstracts and presentations, as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, sociology or a related field (Essential)
- Master’s degree (Preferred)
- Minimum 5+ years of related experience (Essential)
- Demonstrated experience navigating the child and youth mental health and substance use health system as a family member/caregiver (Essential)
- Strong knowledge of the principles of family engagement (Essential)
- Strong knowledge of the child and youth mental health and addictions sector (Essential)
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills (Essential)
- Excellent organizational skills (Essential)
- Experience using Office 365 suite and MS Office Skills (Essential)
- Valid Driver’s License (Essential)
- Ability to travel within Ontario (Essential)
- Vulnerable Sector Check (Essential)
- Bilingualism (English/French) (Essential)
You will be represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). Please note that this position will be based out of Ottawa. Please note that location may be subject to change at any time at the discretion of the employer. All OPSEU members shall be granted an interview upon passing the pre-screening. Pre-screening might include testing.
Effective March 29, 2021, CHEO will conduct a more comprehensive pre-screening and evaluation process. This process may include more varied and multidimensional testing such as a written test, practical exam, or other assessment. All candidates who meet the essential and preferred qualifications may be tested.
CHEO values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants.
Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at TalentAcquisition@cheo.on.ca. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Bilingualism (French/English) will be validated by a language proficiency assessment conducted by a third party provider. Candidates will be required to meet the minimum linguistic profile prior to the date of hire.
CHEO is committed to providing a safe environment for staff, patients, and visitors. Consistent with that commitment, all applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be considered for any staff or volunteer opportunities. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to receive their COVID-19 booster shots when eligible to protect against the spread of COVID-19. Upon hiring, presentation of government issued documentation confirming full vaccination must be provided, or presentation of supporting documentation of a valid medical contraindication or other reasonable consideration pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code.