DFS Work Environment
As you now know, the DFS environment is the organization or agency where you will spend up to eight months or more while you fulfill the academic requirements of the 4th year of your degree.
I say “up to eight months or more” because, while some courses require you to be in a DFS environment, not all do. Also, while it is not necessarily recommended or wise, it is possible to spend time in two DFS environments.
The identification and approval of an appropriate DFS placement is key part of your DFS plan. It is important to review your options with the DFS coordinator.
I say “up to eight months or more” because, while some courses require you to be in a DFS environment, not all do. Also, while it is not necessarily recommended or wise, it is possible to spend time in two DFS environments.
The identification and approval of an appropriate DFS placement is key part of your DFS plan. It is important to review your options with the DFS coordinator.
You are already employed in a justice or human service environment and will be able to complete your DFS courses in your present position.
You must discuss your position and your workplace with your DFS coordinator to ensure it meets your academic requirements. If the DFS coordinator agrees you are employed in an environment and engaged in work at a level appropriate for DFS, you are in a great position.
You will need to ensure that your placement is the subject of a contract between the college and your workplace. To facilitate this, you must inform your supervisor or manager of your DFS responsibilities and be prepared to answer any questions he or she may have. You must facilitate the exchange of contact information for both your supervisor and the DFS coordinator.
The DFS coordinator will establish contact and introduce your workplace with the college’s placement unit who will have the necessary contract signed.
You will need to ensure that your placement is the subject of a contract between the college and your workplace. To facilitate this, you must inform your supervisor or manager of your DFS responsibilities and be prepared to answer any questions he or she may have. You must facilitate the exchange of contact information for both your supervisor and the DFS coordinator.
The DFS coordinator will establish contact and introduce your workplace with the college’s placement unit who will have the necessary contract signed.
You know someone, a family member of friend perhaps that is in a position to offer you a DFS opportunity
You must discuss the potential position and the workplace with your DFS coordinator to ensure it meets your academic requirements. If the DFS coordinator agrees the potential placement will meet your academic needs, you are in a great position.
You will need to ensure that your placement is the subject of a contract between the college and your workplace.
To facilitate this, you must inform your supervisor or manager of your DFS responsibilities and be prepared to answer any questions he or she may have. You must facilitate the exchange of contact information for both your supervisor and the DFS coordinator. The DFS coordinator will establish contact and introduce your workplace with the college’s placement unit who will have the necessary contract signed.
You will need to ensure that your placement is the subject of a contract between the college and your workplace.
To facilitate this, you must inform your supervisor or manager of your DFS responsibilities and be prepared to answer any questions he or she may have. You must facilitate the exchange of contact information for both your supervisor and the DFS coordinator. The DFS coordinator will establish contact and introduce your workplace with the college’s placement unit who will have the necessary contract signed.
You are ready to begin the process of finding a DFS placement but you need help.
Ideally your workplace will be suited to and able to accommodate your educational goals. If not, you may wish to look for other paid work or you may agree to work in a voluntary position for the time it takes you to complete your coursework. If this is the case, the DFS coordinator will help you find a placement that meets your needs. Make your need for help known to the DFS coordinator. The coordinator will guide you once contacted.
Approved work environments must meet criteria on two levels. First, they must be in justice or human service organizations. Second, they must provide an appropriate scope of involvement.
The following requirements must be met in order for a work environment to be approved by the DFS coordinator. The workplace must:
DFS Work Environment Examples:
Typically entry level professional positions in justice and human service organizations will qualify as DFS placements. Supervisory and management positions in justice and human service organizations are ideal.
Examples of suitable placements:
Here are some examples of the type of placement which would meet the criteria for a DFS placement. They must be near full time and should include appropriate training, Contact the Directed Field Studies Coordinator for further information.
Examples of placements which are not typically suitable:
The following requirements must be met in order for a work environment to be approved by the DFS coordinator. The workplace must:
- Allow for near full time work or placement hours (min 80% of full time)
- Allow for a range of activities and experiences, some of which may require the assumption of substantial responsibility
- Allow for opportunities for the development of interpersonal communication skills on one-to-one, group and team levels
- Allow for some interaction with the clients served by the organization
- Provide opportunities to fulfill the outcomes of DFS courses (not all courses are suitable for every workplace)
- Encourage the integration of information and skills relative to the requirements of the setting
- Provide an environment within which a positive leaning experience can take place
DFS Work Environment Examples:
Typically entry level professional positions in justice and human service organizations will qualify as DFS placements. Supervisory and management positions in justice and human service organizations are ideal.
- Police officers
- Corrections officers
- Border Service officers
- Youth workers
- Commercial vehicle officers
- Sheriffs
- Caseworkers
Examples of suitable placements:
Here are some examples of the type of placement which would meet the criteria for a DFS placement. They must be near full time and should include appropriate training, Contact the Directed Field Studies Coordinator for further information.
- Probation office placement – supervision, casework, and file management responsibilities
- Parole office placement – supervision, casework, and file management responsibilities
- Police agency placement – front desk, initial contact, victim services, project management or involvement, research
- Federal/provincial institution placement – assistant to parole officer, psychologist, caseworker, project management or involvement, research
- Homeless shelter placement – client supervision, facility supervision
- Storefront agency placement – client contact and management
- Treatment Centre – client supervision and management
Examples of placements which are not typically suitable:
- Clerical or administrative positions
- Permanent night shift positions