Social Worker

About the role

Reporting to the Health & Social Development Manager (or designate), the Social Worker supports families and children within Pacheedaht First Nation (PFN) and serves as the primary liaison between PFN and the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). The role ensures timely, clear communication and collaboration; maintains accurate, confidential case files for on- and off-reserve members; and advocates for culturally safe, family-centered outcomes. Duties include case coordination, attending court/administrative proceedings, navigating child welfare processes, facilitating prevention and family strengthening supports, and preparing/monitoring related funding applications. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong advocacy, communication, and organization; trauma-informed, culturally safe practice; and a deep understanding of Indigenous family systems and community values.

What you will do

As the Social Worker for Pacheedaht First Nation, you will:

Advocacy, Representation & Legal Liaison

• Serve as the main contact between PFN and child and family services providers.
• Exercise the rights and responsibilities of PFN under provincial, territorial, and federal child and family services laws (e.g., CFCSA in BC; An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families).
• Receive and respond to notices under relevant child and family services legislation.
• Participate in and/or support participation in child and family services administrative and court proceedings.
• Access legal resources to represent PFN's interests in those proceedings.
• Develop and monitor protocols or service agreements with child and family services providers.

Case Management & Direct Support

• Manage individual and family cases, including intake, assessment, service planning, consent, and secure records management.
• Maintain accurate case notes, ensuring confidentiality and data integrity.
• Facilitate the repatriation and/or reunification of children and youth in care with their families and First Nation(s).
• Support First Nations children, youth, and families involved or at risk of involvement with the child and family services system, including across regions and jurisdictions.
• Support First Nations youth and young adults with post-majority support services.
• Participate in developing and monitoring care and service plans (e.g., safety, permanency, after-care, and transition plans).
• Support customary care, kinship care, and alternative care arrangements.
• Provide or arrange for alternative dispute resolution (e.g., circle processes, Indigenous approaches).
• Provide crisis response and coordinate resources during urgent situations, within scope and training.

Cultural, Family & Community Connection

• Ensure that service providers address the real needs of First Nations children, youth, and families, including those tied to culture, land, geography, and the effects of historical and contemporary disadvantage.
• Build and maintain meaningful cultural, family, and community connections for children, youth, and families involved with the child and family services system.
• Facilitate culturally grounded approaches to care and healing in collaboration with families and Elders.

Prevention & Community Programming

• Help families access prevention supports and early interventions.
• Coordinate community-based workshops and referrals (e.g., parenting support, mental health, substance use, housing, income supports).
• Collaborate with PFN programs (Health, Education, Housing, Lands & Resources), schools, health providers, and justice agencies to align supports.
• Track outcomes of prevention and community programming.

Administration, Reporting & Funding

• Monitor agreements with child and family services providers pertaining to individual children, youth, and families.
• Identify, apply for, and report on prevention and well-being funding that benefits families.
• Maintain documentation, records, and reports required for PFN, funders, and partners.
• Perform other duties as required.

Lived and learned experience we are seeking

To be the successful candidate for this position, you will have/demonstrate:

• Education or equivalent: Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, or a related human services field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Professional registration: Eligible for registration (or registered) with the BC College of Social Workers or equivalent regulatory body preferred.
• Legislative knowledge: Strong understanding of provincial and federal child and family services legislation, including CFCSA (BC) and An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families.
• Cultural grounding: Knowledge of Pacheedaht First Nation culture, history and local traditions, and ability to integrate cultural practices and values into social work.
• Advocacy & representation: Demonstrated ability to advocate effectively for families and Nations within administrative and court proceedings.
• Program leadership: Proven ability to plan, budget, manage finances, and design, deliver, and evaluate prevention and community programs.
• Case management: Experience in intake, assessment, case planning, crisis response, documentation, and confidentiality practices.
• People & relationships: Excellent communication, relationship-building, and collaboration skills; skilled in problem solving, mediation, and conflict resolution.
• Team supervision: Experience supervising and mentoring staff, with strengths in planning, organizing, and time management.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Experience working across agencies (health, education, housing, justice) to coordinate holistic supports for families.
• Indigenous experience: Indigenous lived experience and/or significant experience working with Indigenous communities is strongly valued.
• Certifications & Checks:
• Valid BC driver's licence (Class 5; Class 4 preferred) with a clear driver's abstract.
• Clear Criminal Record Check, including the vulnerable sector, as required.

What we offer

• An opportunity to work with like-minded people and do meaningful, community-focused work.
• A pay range of $50.00/hour.
• Part Time Temporary (2-3 days per week, 8 hours per day).
• Additional paid time off over the festive season, plus generous sick and personal leave.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Participation in community events and festivities.

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract

Contract length: 6 months

Pay: $50.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 25 per week

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Extended health care
• Flexible schedule
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person