Ontario Works Manager (Grey County)

Ontario Works Manager (Permanent / Full Time)
(Salary Range: $42.75 - $48.10 / Hour - $77,805 - $87,542 / Year)

Only 2 hours from the Greater Toronto Area, Grey County offers professional opportunities and a balanced life style for those seeking the sophistication and convenience of urban living, and the timeless charm of small town and rural Ontario. Home to almost 100,000 permanent residents and the seasonal destination of choice for thousands more, Grey County is framed by the pristine waters of Georgian Bay, the renowned wonders and alpine thrills of our own Blue Mountains, and the pastoral beauty and industry of Ontario’s agricultural heartland. Join the highly skilled team of County staff that works closely with County Council, local municipalities and our many community partners to deliver exceptional service.

The Social Services Department is recruiting for a permanent /full time Ontario Works Manager.

Of primary importance to the functions of this position is that they are performed within the context of integrated teams. Ontario Works Managers are to provide team leadership that involves the application of coaching techniques, and the maintenance and development of teamwork based on trust and the Vision, Mission and Values of the Department to assist the Director in making sure the departmental goals are aligned with the Corporate and Social Services strategic plans.

Our ideal candidate has the following skills and attributes:

Graduate of a recognized university with 5 years’ experience in Social Services or an acceptable combination of education and experience
Organization and management skills (in a unionized environment) such as: time management, budget development skills, leadership skills and the ability to assess and recommend reasonable risk
Communication, mediation and problem solving skills
Interpersonal and presentation skills
Working knowledge of the legislation and policies that applies to the position
Computer literate, driver’s license and operable vehicle
Demonstrated predisposition to providing quality customer service and maintaining positive customer relationships is preferred
Ability to provide community leadership and capacity building on community issues that relate to Child Care, Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) as well as other programs and services for vulnerable citizens
Demonstrated coaching and enabling skills
Ability to form and develop trust within a team environment
Positive attitude and ability to participate fully in cross-functional team environment
Project management, report writing, and strategic planning skills

Core hours are 8:30–4:30 Monday-Friday.

Candidates for the above noted position are invited to submit resumes by 4:30 PM on Friday, March 29, 2019 to:

Patti McNabb, Administrative Assistant
Grey County Social Services
595 9th Avenue East
OWEN SOUND, Ontario
N4K 3E3

Email: patti.mcnabb@grey.ca
Fax: 519-376-4920
Web: www.grey.ca/careers

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all applicants. Only those to be interviewed will be contacted.

Any personal information submitted will be managed in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and will be used only to determine eligibility for employment.

Based on the nature of the position, pre-employment screening may be required including but not limited to; Criminal Record Searches, Financial Credit Inquiries; Educational and Credential Verification; Driver’s Abstracts; Drug/Alcohol Testing; Pre-Medical Testing and Investigative Employment References.

The County of Grey is an equal opportunity employer. Accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.

Job Description

Position Title: Ontario Works Manager

Department: Social Services

Reports To: Director of Social Services

Purpose

Responsibilities

Staff Responsibilities

Participates in the recruitment and selection of Ontario Works front line support and program staff; provides orientation to new employees on the goals, objectives and services of Ontario Works programs.
Responsible for the processing of all confidential matters about Department staff, maintaining up-to-date personnel records including union related matters, seniority lists, payroll information; conducting performance appraisals, addressing and participating in the resolution of performance and behavioural issues, such as attendance management, etc. in collaboration with union representatives.
Responds to employee concerns regarding health and safety issues. As a manager, takes responsibility for health and safety in the work place.
Provides leadership through the use of professional coaching techniques, and the maintenance and development of teamwork based on trust and the core values of the department.

Program and Service Delivery Responsibilities

Manages the provision of Ontario Works financial and employment assistance and services in accordance with the Ontario Works legislation and policy directives, as well as local policies and procedures through a program delivery team consisting of caseworkers, placement workers, facilitators, family support workers, eligibility review officers, policy and training workers, team assistants and other Ontario Works staff who provide additional services (e.g. OW transportation, Local System Supports, etc.)
Reviews eligibility decisions as requested by clients through the internal review process as prescribed under the Ontario Works legislation; supervises the preparation and presentation of Social Benefits Tribunal submissions by staff as representatives of the “Ontario Work Administrator” as stated under the Ontario Works Act and Regulations
Conducts on-going file audits to ensure that programs and services are administered according to provincial legislation, policy directives and local policies
Co-ordinates functions under the provincial and in-house computer network systems and data bases regarding training, orientation, trouble-shooting problems, making changes and interpretations
Monitors the caseload size and/or workload of employees, reassigns duties and/or territories as appropriate in order to ensure a reasonably equitable distribution of work
Provides organizational leadership and direction on the direct delivery of key office processes such as addictions, customer service, EVP, support issues, fraud control, community liaison, etc.
Responsible for the preparation of monthly computer aided statistical reports using various computer applications, as required
Conducts annual domiciliary hostel inspections to ensure compliance with Grey County and provincial hostel standards; Reviews and amends service agreements as required. Reviews and approves monthly invoices and addresses serious occurrence reports
Manages Ontario Works satellite offices and/or other Ontario Works work locations offered by or in partnership with community partners, addressing concerns and issues identified by Ontario works staff and/or community partners. Ensures these locations are in compliance with required health and safety conditions.

Management Team and Community Networks

Works independently and in conjunction with other Management Team members to implement various provincial initiatives according to Management Team direction and decisions. Includes liaising with the staff and management of the local ODSP office
Participates with fellow managers and finance supervisor on the Social Services Management Team to develop cohesive policies and procedures and to promote effective working relationships between teams and assist in this implementation of the Departmental Work Plan, ensuring compliance and harmony with the Corporate Strategic Plan. Arranges and coordinates team building opportunities.
Participates in departmental management as part of the Management Team, including fulfilling the responsibility of “Acting Director” in the absence of the social services director
Recommends, negotiates, maintains and/or amends Purchase of Service and legal Agreements and other service provision arrangements with community service and employment training providers (Family Y, United, Way etc.), including holding service providers to defined standards of performance and service provision through site visits, data requirements and/or other accountability measures. Approves payments, expenditures and claim reports as required.
Completes service agreements with provincial ministries as stipulated for the delivery of related employment services. Approves expenditures, monitors related budgets and submits reports as required under the conditions of the agreement. ***
Serves on community based committees, organizations, boards and networking groups to provide leadership, assist in capacity building and bring the perspective of Grey county Social Services as a whole. Serves and participates on a variety of regional, provincial and/or ministry working groups and/or committees.
Participates in the preparation of the Department’s provincial and municipal budgets including participation in discussions with the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Finance Supervisor as well as the Director of Finance. Monitors program expenditures against approved budgets. Prepares individual team budgets considering required and requested staff training and associated expenses (mileage, accommodation, tuition/fees, etc.) as well as desired and recommended/required management conferences.
Participates in the development, maintenance, and implementation of the Social Services Evacuation Management Plan, including acting as the alternate to the Social Services Director at the Emergency Control Group should a county emergency be declared, as well as co-leads for subcommittees.
Develops project plans, conducts research and studies, and writes reports and analysis documents as required, including writing and presenting reports to the social services committee. Participates in the development and writing of the Ontario Works Service Plan for ministry approval.
Negotiates, arranges and coordinates staff training that may involve other county departments, CMSMs, and/or community partners
Maintains skills at a high level through courses, seminars and selected reading

Working Conditions

Usual core working hours are based on a 35 hour week, with extra time for evening meetings to represent the Director on County Committees and community non-profit agency committees. Mediates with difficult clients regarding issues of eligibility on behalf of Director and subordinates. Works with caseworkers and on clients’ behalf to resolve client problems. Workload varies with regular monthly deadlines, special projects and out-of-town and after hours regional and provincial meetings, events and obligations.

Contacts

Internal Working Relationships

Managers and Supervisors of other County departments, the Social Services Director, Ontario Works teams, other social services staff members, union representatives, County Councilors and their staff.

External Working Relationships

Ontario Works Clients, social agencies within the City of Owen Sound and County of Grey, Provincial ministry staff, staff of other government agencies e.g. (WSIB, EI, CPP), Domiciliary and Emergency Hostel administrators, educational and training service providers, employers, landlords, volunteer service organizations, Ontario Municipal Social Services Association and the media.

Knowledge and Skills

Graduate of a recognized university with 5 years’ experience in Social Services or an acceptable combination of education and experience
Organization, management (in a unionized environment) skills such as: time management, budget development skills, leadership skills and the ability to assess and recommend reasonable risk
Communication, mediation and problem solving skills
Interpersonal and presentation skills
Working knowledge of the legislation and policies that applies to the position
Computer literate, driver’s license and operable vehicle
Demonstrated predisposition to providing quality customer service and maintaining positive customer relationships is preferred
Ability to provide community leadership and capacity building on community issues that relate to Child Care, Ontario Works and ODSP as well as other programs and services for low income citizens
Demonstrated coaching and enabling skills
Ability to form and develop trust within a team environment
Positive attitude and ability to participate fully in cross-functional team environment
Project management, report writing, strategic planning skills

Impact of Error

Errors in leadership and program administration would hamper the delivery of social assistance, lead to clients’ financial hardship, overspending, program deficit, fraud, unfavorable audit reports and possible litigation.