Careers
If you are up to the challenge of a career in child welfare, you can make a great difference in the lives of a children, youth and families.
See below for a list of current opportunities and information about working at Durham CAS.
Please note that we only accept resumes through applyhere@durhamcas.ca or studentplacements@durhamcas.ca. We will NEVER ask you to re-submit to any other e-mail address.
We are pleased to offer opportunities for students seeking placements. We accept students in various programs, but unfortunately we do not offer placements for students in the Social Service Worker Program. Find more detailed information about our student placement process below.
We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier-free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.
In 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 Durham CAS was one of the recipients of the Region of Durham’s Healthy Workplace Award of Excellence at the Gold Level. In 2013 and 2016, Durham CAS was recognized as one of five best practicing medium sized Canadian organizations supporting Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month.
Current Opportunities
Deadline for Application: October 31, 2023
Current Salary Range: $69589 - $87230 / year
There is a regular full-time Practice Enhancement Specialist position available at our Oshawa office. The start date will be determined in consultation with the immediate supervisor.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Practice Enhancement Specialist develops and maintains a quality assurance framework to monitor the Society’s progress in its integration of Anti-Oppressive Practices and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (AOPDEI) and Signs of Safety (SOS) into its service practices to support the realization of the Society’s strategic plan. The specialist identifies gaps through case audits and other quality assurance tools and techniques and addresses these gaps through training and coaching to employees at all levels of the Society.
Educational Requirements:
BSW. Equivalent combination of training and formal education may be considered.
Experience:
Lived experience in anti-oppressive practices, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Experience with quality assurance practices and change management.
Five (5) or more years of experience in adult education, corporate training and/or facilitation and service experience or Five (5) or more years of front-line experience working in child welfare (e.g. intake, ongoing, resources, etc.) and experience in designing and delivering training
Please apply in writing including a current resume or curriculum vitae, to Human Resources, quoting competition CAS# 04/23. Direct emails to applyhere@durhamcas.ca
Deadline for Application: August 31, 2023
Current Salary Range: $77086 - $93543 / year
We have two full-time Family Service Worker positions available. Start date will be determined in consultation with the immediate supervisor. The location of this position is Oshawa.
POSITION SUMMARY:
This position provides service to families with children either living at home or in the care of the Society where these children may be or actually are in need of protection; developing and implementing treatment plans to ensure that clients needs are being served and that children are being protected either while living at home or in conjunction with outside community resources as may be needed; working with, advising and supporting foster parents and the staff of other types of residential placements; and as required preparing for court and participating in pre-hearing preparations, appearing in court, meeting all related Ministry standards and regulations, and keeping all required records and documentation as per the mandate of the Child and Family Services Act and professional standards.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A B.S.W or equivalent as recognized by the Ontario Association of Professional Social Workers. 6 months experience in related field. A BA in a Social Science with 6 months full-time direct CAS experience or 2 years related experience working with families and/or children (e.g. court clinics, residential programs, probation). Proficiency in a second language an asset. A valid driver’s license with access to a vehicle required. Plus, demonstrated skills and knowledge of:
• family engagement collaborative decision making and conflict resolution
• well-developed assessment skills including the ability to develop customized intervention plans to and respond to allegations of child maltreatment and meet the unique strengths and needs of children and their families
• in-depth understanding of the impact of separation and loss on children and families and an ability to assist children and families in coping with these issues; demonstrated skills in assessing safety and risk factors
• identifying child and family strengths and needs
• developing, implementing and monitoring service plans in collaboration with children, families and their support networks, and advocating for additional services where appropriate
Note: Internal applicants for this position who have a Child and Youth Worker diploma and two years experience with Durham Children’s Aid in a service position will be offered a qualification interview.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION:
• Bilingualism – French and English (spoken and written)
Please apply in writing including a current resume, to Human Resources, quoting competition CAS# 08/23. Direct emails to applyhere@durhamcas.ca
We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Deadline for Application: August 31, 2023
Current Salary Range: $69994 - $85957 / year
There is a temporary full-time QA Project Management Analyst till September 22, 2024, position available at our Oshawa office. The start date will be determined in consultation with the immediate supervisor.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the general direction of the Manager, Strategic Projects and Change, the QA/Project Management Specialist supports and facilitates the planning, execution, monitoring and reporting of projects or functions related to Society initiatives, including data, organizational and change management initiatives and quality assurance, research, and evaluation activities. The Specialist facilitates the integration of a conceptual framework for project management and quality improvement throughout the Society.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION:
University degree in a related field.
Master’s level in a related social science (i.e. Social work, Sociology, Public Administration) with an emphasis on social science research or performance metrics, or a degree in statistics or equivalent, an asset.
EXPERIENCE:
Three (3) years’ experience in project management, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, using computerized applications to compile and analyze data and preparing narrative or statistical reports.
Experience in child welfare with familiarity with current practice models, standards, legislation, and policies with an understanding of child welfare outcome indicators and key performance indicators preferred.
Please apply in writing including a current resume or curriculum vitae, to Human Resources, by April 14, 2023, quoting competition CAS# 11/23. Direct emails to applyhere@durhamcas.ca
We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Deadline for Application: June 2, 2023
Current Salary Range: $72166 - $86528 / year
The Child, Youth and Family Connections Worker will support the relationship with the child, youth or family. This position will work in partnership with the child, youth and family to formulate plans and develop strategies to provide equitable services. In collaboration with the child, youth, and family, the Child & Family Support Worker will engage with internal and external collaterals to assist the family remain as a family unit. Where a child/youth is in the care of the Society, this position will engage and collaborate with the family to provide resources and support for reintegration of the child to the care of the family/family constellation or network, while ensuring all Ministry standards are achieved. The service model is harm reduction, trauma informed and relational which requires a great deal of flexibility and collaboration with children, youth, families and communities. These positions will ensure the Society’s anti-oppressive practice statement and values are upheld throughout all the interactions with children, youth and families.
PROGRAM SUMMARY:
These positions will sit on the CARE Team. The CARE Program is a prototype led in partnership by Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services, Durham Children’s Aid Society and the Durham Regional Police Service. The CARE team is a dedicated rapid response service to locating and protecting children and youth who are being exploited in sex trafficking. Leveraging known risk indicators for sex trafficking and existing data sources, the CARE team will assess and locate high-risk children in unsafe situations and connect them to trauma-informed, culturally safe services and supports, including mainstream and Indigenous societies. In addition, the CARE team will investigate sex trafficking offenders and support information-sharing between societies and police services.
• A 3 Year Child and Youth Worker Diploma or equivalent.
• Proficiency in a second language an asset.
• A minimum of 6 months related experience.
• A Valid driver’s license with access to a vehicle required.
Deadline for Application: June 2, 2023
Current Salary Range: $72166 - $86528 / year
There are two regular full-time Child, Youth and Family Connections Worker positions available at the Oshawa office. The start date of the position will be determined in consultation with the immediate supervisor.
The Child, Youth and Family Connections Worker will support the relationship with the child, youth or family. This position will work in partnership with the child, youth and family to formulate plans and develop strategies to provide equitable services. In collaboration with the child, youth, and family, the Child & Family Support Worker will engage with internal and external collaterals to assist the family remain as a family unit. Where a child/youth is in the care of the Society, this position will engage and collaborate with the family to provide resources and support for reintegration of the child to the care of the family/family constellation or network, while ensuring all Ministry standards are achieved. These positions will ensure the Society’s anti-oppressive practice statement and values are upheld throughout all the interactions with children, youth and families.
PROGRAM SUMMARY:
These positions will sit on a dedicated team to provide culturally appropriate services to Black/African Canadian children, youth and families receiving services from the Society by providing additional assistance to families by working to enhance family relationships and parenting practices, prevent the admission of children to care, support children in Society’s care, assist families upon a child’s return home or to a permanent situation, provide assistance during access and to support safety of children.
The services will be provided through a culturally safe and mutually agreed upon plan that is task focused with education and/or evidence informed interventions in alignment with One Vision One Voice Practice Principles and in accordance with the Society’s policies and procedures, Ministry regulations, standards, directives and relevant legislation.
• A 3 Year Child and Youth Worker Diploma or equivalent.
• Proficiency in a second language an asset.
• A minimum of 6 months related experience.
• A Valid driver’s license with access to a vehicle required.
The ideal candidate must have:
• lived experience of someone who identifies as Black/African Canadian or Black/Bi-racial descent
• understanding of anti-Black racism, intersectionality, equity and the issues impacting the Black/African Canadian and Black/bi-racial community
• child welfare service delivery context and service provision to Black/African Canadian and Black/bi-racial children, youth, and families
• respect and understanding of the diversity of the Black/African Canadian and Black/bi-racial culture and traditions
• flexibility to provide responsive services which meet the unique needs of the Black/African Canadian and Black/bi-racial community.
Resumes and cover letters should be emailed to applyhere@durhamcas.ca
What Can We Offer You?
We offer competitive salaries and an excellent benefits package.
Our benefits package includes:
- Four weeks vacation per year for the first 5 years of employment; one additional day of vacation in years 6 through 10 for a total of five weeks vacation in year 10.
- Short-term sick leave and long-term sick leave benefits.
- Extended health care and dental coverage plans.
- Employee Assistance Program
- OMERS Pension Plan
Not all staff members are full-time employees. We do offer temporary, casual, and part-time positions, depending on the needs of the Society.
If you are relocating from a distance greater than 300 km away, we provide monetary assistance to successful applicants.
Training
We provide a comprehensive training and orientation program, including on-the-job training, and opportunities to attend external training and development courses.
All child protection workers are required to attend competency training through the provincial Ontario Child Protection Training Program.
Ontario Child Protection Training Program
This program begins immediately upon hiring and is completed within 3 to 6 months.
The program includes training modules on the following:
- The evolution and context of child welfare
- Orientation, eligibility, and investigation
- The Risk Assessment Model for child protection in Ontario, Part 1
- The impact of maltreatment on growth and development
- Identifying and responding to child maltreatment
- Child protection assessment, Risk Assessment Model, Part 2
- Plan of service and ongoing reviews, Risk Assessment Model, Part 3
- Child and Family Services Act and legal services in child welfare
- Interviewing children
- Attachment, separation, and placement
- Children in care
- Intervention to increase parental effectiveness
This program is provided by attendance at in-class sessions and by self-study using interactive electronic media.
The previous experience and training of newly hired protection workers will be assessed to determine the OCPTP training requirements. A new worker’s previous experience and training may reduce the number of modules required.
Staff Development Program
We support the ongoing development with financial support to attain additional related skills and to broaden their career options.
Student Placement Program
We are not currently accepting applications for student placements. Please refer back to this site for future openings.
We provide placement opportunities for Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work students in the following service departments:
- Child and youth (young children or youth preparing to exit care)
- Protection (intake or family service)
- Residential (foster care, kinship care, adoption, placement, family support, family access)
- Quality Assurance (research projects, audits, policy development, program evaluation)
We also offer placement opportunities for Child and Youth Worker diploma or degree students in our Child and Youth Services department.
We do not offer placements for students in the Social Service Worker Program.
When starting the process specify your preferred service area, we will then find a match with a staff mentor from that service area. After a successful interview, the student will be invited to an orientation session.
Please note, students are expected to prepare thoroughly for the interview. We treat students professionally, and interviews are similar to those we conduct with potential new hires.
You must submit a police check with the vulnerable sector completed. We require an original copy of a recent police check, no older than three months from the start date of placement.
Please ensure that we know the start and end dates for placement, the number of hours that need to be completed, as well as the days of the week the student will be at the agency working on their placement hours.
If interested, please submit a resume and a cover letter to studentplacements@durhamcas.ca
Helpful hints for a successful interview:
- Bring three references to the interview. References must be from (present work) direct supervisors, (past work) direct supervisors, coaches or professors. We will follow up with them.
- It is a good idea to read through our website to learn more about our agency and services.
- Visit the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) website to learn about their role and child welfare in Ontario.
- It is advantageous for students to be prepared to articulate why they want to complete a placement at Durham CAS, what they know about the agency, their related work and/or volunteer experience, how they cope with stress, how well they manage their time, and what they feel are their strengths and areas to develop.