Child Protection Social Worker

**Job Summary**:
To provide child protection services to children and families within the Metis community. The role of this position is under the direction of the Child Protection Team Leader, Director of Programs & Practice and/or Executive Director.

**Reports to**: Child Protection Team Leader

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Investigates complaints of child abuse and neglect by interviewing clients, observing and involving appropriate agencies in the investigation, evaluating risk indicators, validating the complaint, and determining a plan of action.
- Develops and implements a child protection plan by identifying client needs, establishing long
- and short-term goals and developing a contract with clients and other resources.
- Ensures the ongoing management of cases by monitoring progress towards goals, coordinating services, consulting with other service providers, examining the terms of the contract and making referrals to other agencies.
- Prepares documentation for court, files documents and ensures legislative requirements are addressed and timelines for serving notice follow the Rules of Court.
- Prepares clients for court by explaining the purpose, ensuring client has access to legal counsel, informing the clients of other witnesses and explaining expected court behaviour and appearance.
- Prepares and presents evidence for Family Court, determines admissible evidence, instructs legal counsel regarding the type of court order sought, prepares for hearing, negotiates times and witnesses for hearing and presents testimony.
- Acts as the legal guardian by providing statutory services to feed, clothe and house children in care of the Director, provides opportunity for the social, intellectual and moral development of the child. Provides support for children’s identified needs.
- Develops Life Plans with the purpose of reuniting the child with the family, placing the child for adoption or placing the child into a permanent family setting.
- Develops cultural plans.
- Authorizes expenditures for support services to families.
- Provides services to the family such as assistance with parenting skills, drugs, alcohol treatment and referrals.
- Works as a member of a team.

**Job Requirements**
- Bachelors or Master’s Degree in Social Work or Child and Youth Care, or Masters of Educational Counselling or Masters of Clinical Psychology, or equivalent.
- Child Welfare Specialization, having worked in child welfare and/or at an Aboriginal agency for two recent (2) years within the last 5 years.
- MCFD Knowledge & appreciation of Metis/Aboriginal cultures and how these impact the development of individuals and communities.
- Provincial Delegation Training.
- Practical knowledge of Provincial Aboriginal Operational Practice Standards and Indicators.
- May be required to work evenings/weekends.
- Required to use own vehicle. Valid Class 5 Driver’s License, Driver’s Abstract and a reliable and safe vehicle.
- Successful completion of security screening requirements of Métis Family Services, which includes a criminal records check, and/or Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) check, police record checks, enhanced security screening and degree verification. Satisfactory proof of legal authorization to work in Canada.
- Carrying out special projects as required by the Child Protection Team Leader, Director of Programs & Practice and/or Executive Director.

**Job Skills and abilities**:

- Excellent understanding and knowledge of Métis/Indigenous cultures, traditions, and socio-economic issues affecting urban indigenous families.
- Excellent oral, written, facilitation, interpersonal and communication skills
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Ability to work effectively with agency staff, volunteers and professionals from community agencies and partner organizations.

**Additional Information**:

- This position requires the ability to function independently while managing multiple projects and deadlines including effectively managing emergency situations. Program delivery activities may require a moderate level of physical fitness to effectively carry out the duties of the position.
- May be required to work outside core business hours (evening and weekends).
- Must be eligible to obtain appropriate Provincial Delegation and consideration will be given to those who already hold C4 Guardianship delegation and Adoption delegation.

**Core Competencies**:
**Indigenous Relations Behavioural Competencies**
- **Cultural Agility** is the ability to work respectfully, knowledgeably, and effectively with Indigenous people. It is noticing and readily adapting to cultural uniqueness in order to create a sense of safety for all. It is openness to unfamiliar experiences, transforming feelings of nervousness or anxiety into curiosity and appreciation. It is examining one's own culture and worldview, and notice their commonalities, and distinctions with Indigenous cultures, and worldviews. It