Family Connections Worker

Job Summary The primary objective of the Family Connections Worker is to ensure that identified Metis children in the Agency’s care have the best possible opportunity for placement in either extended family or Metis family homes that will meet their cultural needs, support their Metis identity and connection to their community. The Family Connections Worker will gather current and historical information about Metis children’s family and community for the purpose of cultural connections, relationships, and permanency. The Family Connections Worker assists Metis children and families to reconnect with their Indigenous community, family, and extended families. The Family Connections Worker collaborates with Social Workers and Planning Circle Facilitator to facilitate gatherings to develop plans to support Metis cultural connections for children and their families and to promote Metis cultural practices and traditions.

Reports to Program Coordinator 2

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Gather current family information and history for genealogy/family finding

Develop genograms for all identified referrals

Gather information relevant to children and families’ cultural connection needs by reviewing files, interviewing, meeting with caregivers, and extended family. Uses a variety of inventories, checklists, and questionnaires to gather information.

Assess the information gathered to identify family connections for children and families and to identify resources for family history and heritage information needs.

Provide support and guidance to identified family members in building cultural and community connections for children and families.

Provide support and feedback to families and extended families when working to build cultural connections for children and youth.

Participate in care team meetings as required to support family and cultural connections for children and youth. As required, participates in the development of cultural connection plans with the care team.

Assist the Planning Circle Facilitator and families in gathering the circle for the purpose of developing and strengthening family connections for children and families.

Develop a strategy in collaboration with Social Workers and Planning Circle Facilitator to gather the circle.

Plan and create presentations related to family and cultural connections for children and families

Work collaboratively with Elders and Indigenous community members as needed.

Liaise with other community service providers and professionals as required for the purpose of ensuring cultural connections for children and families.

Maintain related records and statistics and provide reports to the supervisor.

Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Social Work degree or Bachelor’s Degree in a related human/social service field or the equivalent in education and experience.

Practical knowledge of child welfare and family support services in the community.

One (1) year’s recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Job Skills and Abilities

Excellent understanding and knowledge of Indigenous/Metis cultures, traditions and socio-economic issues affecting urban Indigenous families.

Excellent oral, written, facilitation and interpersonal communication skills.

Excellent organizational and time management skills.

Ability to work effectively with program staff, volunteers, and non-profit or publicly funded groups, agencies, and organizations.

Knowledge of child development milestones.

Self-directed and motivated to complete research with minimal supervision.

Demonstrated teamwork, good time management, job task planning and organizational skills.

Has computer knowledge and ability to use word documents and genogram programs.

Additional Information

This position requires the ability to function independently frequently under pressure while managing multiple concurrent projects and deadlines, including effectively managing emergency situations. Program delivery activities may require a moderate level of physical fitness to effectively carry out duties of the position.

All employees are required to complete two hours of cultural learning per week.

Core Competencies

Cultural Agility : the ability to work respectfully, knowledgeably, and effectively with Indigenous people; noticing and readily adapting to cultural uniqueness to create a sense of safety for all.

Indigenous Centred Service Approach : a desire to serve Indigenous people, focusing one’s efforts on understanding their interests to increase the quality of service and produce better outcomes.

Teamwork and Co‑operation : the ability to work co‑operatively with diverse teams, work groups, and across the organization to achieve group and organizational goals.

Planning, Organizing and Coordinating : involves proactively planning, establishing priorities, and allocating resources; monitoring and adjusting work to accomplish goals.

Service Orientation : a desire to identify and serve customers/clients, focusing one’s efforts on discovering and meeting the needs of the customer/client.

Results Orientation : a concern for surpassing a standard of excellence, striving for improvement, and challenging goals.

Seeking and Using Feedback : recognizing that improving performance and authenticity can occur through reciprocal relationships and active listening.

Decisive Insight : combines the ability to draw on one’s own experience, knowledge and training and effectively problem‑solve increasingly difficult and complex situations.

Reflective Practice : the ability to critically assess how one’s values, beliefs, ethics and culture influence decisions and relationships.

Responsive Learning : facilitated through multiple approaches to encourage a deepening and expanding of skill sets for continued improvement.

Rate of Pay JJEP Wage Grid Level 12: $29.17 to $33.49

Start Date July 15, 2026

This position requires union membership.

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