Facility Dog Handler - Lac La Biche
- Lac La Biche, AB
- 61.208-80.291 $ par an
- Permanent
- Temps-plein
Job Title: Facility Dog Handler - Lac La Biche
Job Requisition ID: 70297
Ministry: Children and Family Services - Provincial Campus Based Care Centres
Location: Lac La Biche
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open
Closing Date: September 17, 2025
Classification: Program Services 2 (022PSA)
Salary: $2,345.14 to $3,076.28 bi-weekly ($61,208 to $80,291 / year)The Government of Alberta is committed to a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans. Consider joining a team where diversity, inclusion and innovation are valued and supported. For more information on diversity and inclusion, please visit: .Provincial Campus Based Care (PCBC) centres across the province offer 24/7 trauma-informed care and secure services for vulnerable youth (ages 12-17 receiving child intervention services) and their families. PCBCs integrate best practices to help youth reach their potential and address emotional and behavioural therapeutic needs.PCBCs goal is for youth to return to a less intensive form of care, become independent or return to their families. PCBCs encompass several programs to support youth such as Indigenous/cultural supports, recreation therapy services, on-site schools, medical services, transition and connection services, addiction support, occupational therapy and access to facility dogs.Role ResponsibilitiesAre you passionate about animal-assisted therapy and committed to supporting vulnerable youth? Join our team as a Facility Dog Handler, where you'll integrate the unique support of a trained facility dog into trauma-informed care for emotionally and behaviorally challenged youth.As a Facility Dog Handler, you will:
- Provide therapeutic support using a trained facility dog to promote healing, emotional regulation, and connection.
- Develop and lead programming that incorporates canine assisted interventions.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to meet developmental, emotional, and physical needs of youth in care.
- Ensure the safety and well-being of youth through trauma-informed practices and crisis management.
- Advocate for youth and contribute to care planning, documentation, and outcome tracking.
- Integrate the facility dog into daily care routines, therapy sessions, and social programming.
- Create initiatives that build youth skills and community awareness.
- Support youth in achieving emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
- Maintain dog training, health and behavior standards.
- Respond to high-risk situations with critical thinking and calm judgement.
- 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; OR
- 1 year of experience for 1 year of education
- Child and youth care work
- Social work with vulnerable populations.
- Residential or group home care.
- Experience with Child Intervention Services or PSECA
- Working with Indigenous youth and culturally diverse communities.
- Professional dog training or obedience instruction
- Mental health support work
- Have knowledge of trauma informed care, therapeutic interventions, and crisis management.
- Understanding of canine care, training techniques, and health.
- Ability to use assessment tools and develop individualized care plans.
- Proficiency in documentation, data collection, and outcome measurement.
- Confidently supervise dogs of all breeds, temperament, and sizes.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to work in high-pressure, emotionally intense environments.
- Skilled in de-escalation, nonviolent physical restraint, and behavioural management.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and therapeutic rapport building.
- Ability to adapt leadership and communication styles to promote collaboration.
- Proficient in computer use and record keeping systems.
- Working for the Alberta Public Service -
. * Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) -
. * Alberta Public Service Benefit Information -
. * Professional learning and development -
. * Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool -
. * Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
- Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
- Leadership and mentorship programs.
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please visit for more information. Please visit , for more information.It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)( ) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information ( ).It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Dana Polutnik at .