Employment Opportunity
Employer: The British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW)
Position Title: Investigator and Compliance Officer
Reports To: Inquiry Counsel
Status: Full-Time Permanent (onsite)
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
As the regulatory body for social workers in British Columbia, BCCSW (the College) acts within its statutory authority to develop and administer policies, procedures and practices that reflect the mandate of the College, which is to serve and protect the public by superintending the practice of social work in British Columbia. Founded in 2008, the College is governed by a 12-member Board comprised of four public members and eight elected members and regulates over 7,000 province-wide registered social workers and registered clinical social workers.
General Overview:
Working under direction of the Inquiry Counsel, the Investigator and Compliance Officer (the Investigator) is responsible for conducting investigations on behalf of the College’s Inquiry Department into complaints and concerns regarding the professional conduct, competence, and practice of registered social workers, in accordance with the Social Workers Act, Social Workers Regulation, BCCSW bylaws, the Code of Ethics, standards of practice, and other applicable legislation, policies, and regulatory requirements.
The Investigator applies professional social work knowledge, investigative principles, regulatory requirements, and professional judgement in assessing complaints, gathering and analyzing evidence, identifying risks to the public, and preparing investigative findings for consideration by the Inquiry Committee and legal counsel. The Investigator also supports the regulatory process following complaint resolution, including monitoring compliance with undertakings and other regulatory requirements and monitoring and assessing practice remediation undertaken by registrants.
The position requires a strong understanding of social work practice and professional standards, as well as the ability to apply investigative and regulatory principles to complex and sensitive matters involving registered social workers, clients, vulnerable persons, and other parties.
Key Responsibilities:
Under the leadership of the Inquiry Counsel, and as per established performance standards, the Investigator is responsible for the following key responsibilities:
· Conducting investigations on behalf of the Inquiry Committee of the College into alleged breaches of regulatory standards, from initiation to conclusion.
· Applying professional social work knowledge and expertise to assess complaints and investigative information, identify relevant practice issues, and determine whether the conduct or practice in question may constitute a breach of regulatory requirements.
· Identifying key issues and utilizing investigative best practices to guide processes and obtain evidence which proves or disproves a breach of legislation, code of ethics, or standards of practice by a registered social worker.
· Gathering information and evidence through written correspondence, phone calls, interviews and request for records from third parties, analyzing, evaluating, and organizing all relevant information, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of each complaint matter.
· Exercising considerable initiative, flexibility, professional judgement, and critical thinking in responding to changing circumstances, complex evidence, and sensitive or high-risk investigations.
· Interacting with complainants, registrants, and other parties, including vulnerable persons, and diverse and marginalized populations, in a sensitive, trauma informed, culturally safe and respectful manner to collect accurate information.
· Applying knowledge of social work practice, relevant legislation, regulatory frameworks, evidentiary requirements, professional ethics, standards of practice, and investigative principles to assess potential risks of harm to clients, vulnerable persons, and the public, make informed investigative and file management decisions, and prioritize files in accordance with risk and established service standards.
· Producing clear, accurate, objective and detailed investigative notes, summaries and comprehensive reports on relevant issues, evidence and investigative findings for consideration by the Inquiry Committee and legal counsel.
· Applying professional judgement, analytical acumen, and tenacity in developing well-supported investigative findings and preparing matters for regulatory action that may be subject to administrative, legal, and public scrutiny.
· Conducting timely, focused and thorough investigations in accordance with established performance targets, service standards, procedural fairness requirements, and regulatory processes.
· Providing evidence and testimony at administrative hearings, disciplinary proceedings, or court proceedings, as required.
· Monitoring compliance with undertakings, consent resolutions, or other regulatory requirements imposed or accepted as part of complaint resolution, including reviewing information and documentation submitted by registrants and identifying and escalating concerns regarding non-compliance.
· Supporting and monitoring practice remediation undertaken by registrants, including reviewing learning plans, educational activities, supervision, consultation, reflective practice, or other remediation measures designed to address identified practice concerns and reduce the risk of recurrence.
· Assessing information provided as part of remediation or compliance monitoring to determine whether identified concerns have been adequately addressed and whether additional information, follow-up, or regulatory action may be required.
· Collaborating with internal teams as required to facilitate investigations, regulatory decision-making, compliance monitoring, and practice remediation.
- Completing accurate and timely data entry relating to complaints, investigations, regulatory actions, undertakings, and compliance activities in the College’s database.
· Maintaining organized, complete, accurate, and confidential investigative and regulatory case files in accordance with College policies, procedures, privacy requirements, and records management practices.
· Providing back-up coverage for the College’s Intake phone line and email account.
· Maintaining current knowledge of social work practice, professional standards, relevant legislation, regulatory frameworks, investigative techniques, and emerging issues affecting the profession and the protection of the public.
· Participates in the College’s cross-coverage activities which provide coverage during absences and peak times to maintain organizational efficiency and service standards.
· Performing other duties as assigned to support the overall objectives of the team and the College.
BCCSW Indigenous Relations Behavioural Competencies:
BCCSW staff are supported to learn and demonstrate the following Indigenous Relations Behavioural Competencies commensurate with their experience and role at the College.
· Understanding one's thoughts, feelings, values and background through self-discovery and awareness including how one’s thoughts, feelings, values and background impact the success of their interactions and relationships with Indigenous peoples.
· Increasing one’s ability to build and maintain respectful and effective relationships with Indigenous peoples through sustained learning and development including direct exposure to cultural and community ways and being willing to learn how diverse ways of thinking and acting can ensure the success of the College.
· The ability to work respectfully, knowledgeably, and effectively with Indigenous peoples through cultural agility including creating a sense of safety and by transforming feelings of nervousness or anxiety into curiosity and appreciation.
· Championing the achievement of intended, real change that meets the enduring vision of Indigenous self-determination in British Columbia through change leadership including learning from elders and leaders, routinely energizing the change process, and removing barriers to change.
Educational, Work Experience and Competency requirements:
· Post-secondary degree in Social Work and current registration with the BC College of Social Workers. Additional training in administrative law, professional regulation, advanced investigative techniques, or a related field is preferred.
· Minimum of five (5) years of professional social work experience; Experience in professional regulation, investigations, complaints, or a related regulatory environment is an asset.
· Minimum of two (2) years of recent investigative or regulatory experience, including experience assessing complaints, reviewing and analyzing evidence, assessing professional conduct or practice concerns, or contributing to regulatory decision-making. Experience independently conducting investigations is preferred, with experience in a regulatory, health, human services, or HR environment considered an asset.
· Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of social work practice, professional ethics, standards of practice, and the regulatory context in which social workers practise.
· Experience in or knowledge of professional regulatory functions, including complaint assessment, investigation, risk assessment, regulatory decision-making, and compliance monitoring, is an asset.
· Demonstrated competence in communication and interpersonal skills to engage with registrants, complainants, and other stakeholders during investigations, managing interactions with cultural safety and humility, applying a trauma-informed approach considering the impact of communications and adapting approach as needed to ensure messages are clear, professional, and understood.
· Demonstrated strong analytical thinking and the ability to gather, assess, analyze, and synthesize complex information and evidence, identify relevant issues, and make sound, objective, and evidence-informed decisions.
· Demonstrated ability to apply social work knowledge and professional standards to assess allegations concerning professional conduct, competence, and practice, and to identify potential risks to clients and the public.
· Demonstrated understanding of professional regulatory functions and the ability to interpret and apply relevant legislation, regulations, bylaws, code of ethics, standards of practice, principles of administrative law and organizational policies to support complaint assessment, investigation, risk assessment, regulatory decision-making, and compliance monitoring.
· Strong written communication skills with the ability to clearly and effectively convey complex regulatory information and analysis in written reports, utilizing applicable legislation, regulations, bylaws, and policies; Excellent English language skills including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and superior attention to detail are required.
· Demonstrated ability to present complex information and investigative findings effectively to diverse audiences in a variety of settings, including statutory committees and other stakeholders, ensuring clarity, professionalism, and understanding.
- Legal writing experience within the regulatory sector or a government organization would be an asset.
· Demonstrated ability to exercise sound professional judgement, discretion, independence, and objectivity while maintaining confidentiality and procedural fairness.
· Knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Social Workers Act and related regulations, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), and principles of administrative law, is considered an asset.
· Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative, manage competing priorities, and independently organize and manage a caseload in accordance with risk, established service standards, and organizational priorities.
· Demonstrated ability to identify and assess competing investigative priorities, apply effective case management practices, and prioritize, plan, and advance multiple complex investigation files concurrently while balancing competing demands and managing time effectively.
· Demonstrated ability to monitor compliance with regulatory requirements and assess information related to undertakings, practice remediation, educational requirements, supervision, or other measures imposed or accepted as part of complaint resolution is an asset.
· Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, CRM or regulatory database systems, and Adobe products. Experience working within cloud-based database and information management environments is an asset.
· Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, fostering a positive, respectful and professional work environment
· Demonstrated commitment to public protection, ethical practice and professional conduct, maintaining integrity, confidentiality, and accountability in all aspects of work.
· Experience interacting and working with boards, committees, and taskforces is an asset.
· Demonstrated ability to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders, demonstrating cultural sensitivity, awareness and respect in interactions particularly in working with Indigenous peoples and other diverse communities.
· Satisfactory criminal record check or the ability to obtain one.
What We Offer:
The salary range for this position is $76,500 - $99,520. In addition to the base salary, the College also provides pension contributions to the Municipal Pension Plan, competitive annual vacation and family responsibility leaves, membership in a generous extended health and dental benefits plan, and support for ongoing professional development.
How to apply:
Please email your cover letter and resume in a Word or PDF file to [email protected] and we kindly ask that applications be sent by email only—no fax or mail applications, please.
We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest in BCCSW and will be contacting applicants selected for an interview.
BCCSW is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. Qualified applicants from equity seeking groups who would contribute to the diversification and shared vision of the organization are strongly encouraged to apply and self-identify within their application.
Pay: $76,500.00-$99,520.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
