Advocate – Edmonton

Overview

Inclusion Alberta, as a family advocacy organization, is committed to providing individuals with developmental disabilities and their families with personalized advocacy that contributes to a meaningful and inclusive life.  

 

Similarly, families and individuals with developmental disabilities, including those with complex needs, require assistance in planning and securing an inclusive life. Some of the means to an inclusive life include being able to maximally benefit from individualized funding and other funding and supports as needed to be engaged as a participatory and valued community member. 

  

In this role you will work under the direction of the Regional Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement to provide individual advocacy to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in the pursuit of a fully inclusive life in the community. The successful candidate will provide advocacy to families in the Edmonton region. 

 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

 

• Work directly with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to develop and articulate a vision for an inclusive life in the community and develop a plan to achieve this vision. 

• Serve as a resource and guide to families and individuals with developmental disabilities to pursue support and services that enable inclusion.  
• Support families to develop a network that shares their inclusive vision for their loved ones and supports their pursuit of inclusion. 
• Advocate with and for families and individuals with developmental disabilities in their efforts to nurture and develop inclusive communities.  
• Coordinate individual and family community engagement with all other Inclusion Alberta initiatives. 
• Build family capacity to support meaningful inclusion by supporting families navigating systems including Education, Community & Social Services, Health, Alberta Supports, Justice and any other place families are encountering barriers.  

 

Qualifications: 

• A University degree in a related discipline or equivalent experience. 
• A deep understanding of inclusion and an unwavering commitment to its ideals.  
• Ability to facilitate collaboration across multiple community and government stakeholders. 

• Working knowledge of the systems and supports available to families and individuals with developmental disabilities in Alberta. 
• Demonstrated understanding of the responsibilities of all levels of government. 
• Strong research skills; previous experience identifying relevant policy and legislation is an asset.  
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team. 
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.  

• Partnership building and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to manage competing priorities. 
• Commitment to learning and continuous improvement. 
• Ability to receive and incorporate feedback. 
• Ability to establish rapport with individuals and families and communicate complex concepts in plain language.  

• Curiosity and ability to be a generative listener. 
• Ability to see the big picture. 
• Competent writing ability. 

 

Working Conditions: 

Candidates will require access to a reliable vehicle. This is a half-time position (20 hours/week), with a salary commensurate with experience. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. The competition will close once a suitable candidate is found. 

Please send a cover letter and resume to Catherine Oakleaf, Regional Director of Community Engagement with subject line Advocate – Edmonton to snickolet@inclusionalberta.org