Community Engagement Worker - F/T (Global) - 1882

“What we do together…our H.E.A.R.T is our difference.”

Do you have a genuine passion in promoting the values of Indigenous culture working with and for Indigenous children, youth, and families (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) while respecting their cultural diversity?

If so, consider joining our Xyólheméylh work family. We are a fully delegated Indigenous Child & Family Service Agency providing programs and services to Indigenous children, youth, and families on and off reserve within Stó:lō Territory in the Fraser Valley between Yale First Nation and Surrey BC.

Our programs and services are created and delivered with the support of our Elders Advisory Council with special attention on strengthening culture and identity, while honoring the strength of families.

• We strive to work in a holistic way to keep families together and reintegrate children back with their families and extended families.
• Our service delivery is done with an open heart and an open mind focusing on the best interest of the family while keeping children at the center.
• We work to ensure children are connected to their family, and community while striving to ensure their inherent rights to heritage and identity are upheld in all we do.

Community Engagement Worker-

Base Office: Abbotsford, Chilliwack, TBD

Full-Time Position - Global

Urban Community Relations Team

Salary- $56,.73 to $64,.13 per annum (35 hrs per week)

EDO Available: TBD

Number of Positions: 2

Working as part of a team, Community Engagement Workers (CEW) are focused on engaging Community partners and members for youth and families. CEWs combine their strong cultural knowledge with outreach and facilitation skills to create environments that build child safety and placement solutions with families, supporting and respecting cultural/traditional values and practices. CEWs ensure that each Indigenous child in care has the best possible supports in response to their developmental and cultural needs, including their Indigenous identity and connection to their community.

They operate within the parameters provided by the BC Child, Family and Community Services Act and the Aboriginal Operational and Practice Standards and Indicators (AOPSI) and use a solution focus and trauma informed practice framework in their work with children, youth, families, and communities.

Major Responsibilities & Duties:

• General
• Develops trusting and respectful relationship with Indigenous children, youth, families and communities;
• Provides coordination, facilitation, and outreach for related community engagement and events;
• Upholds the rights of Indigenous individuals living away from home;
• Conducts ongoing assessment for asset/gap analysis and opportunities for community development;
• Monitor and review quality of community supports;
• Embeds strong understanding of Child and Family Services Act as required in all community engagement work;
• Gathers community and client feedback/insights and presents to Team Lead;
• Provides timely reports to Team Lead.

2. Meeting Facilitation

• Facilitates community partner/member meetings
• Provides outreach and advertisement for related events
• Takes notes and/or minutes
• Acts as a neutral party, and asks effective questions that result in an environment of trust and openness; fostering a respectful dialogue amongst the parties;
• Embeds their strong understanding and experience of the BC Child, Family and Community Services Act into the meetings as required;
• Seeks professional guidance from the Team Lead as required.

3. Community

• Understands Indigenous culture and community protocols, how to behave in the community and build relationships with the communities;
• Builds familiarity with all -related agencies and resources in the region.

4. Administration

• Manages time effectively;
• Utilizes strong organizational management skills:
• Demonstrates security awareness consistent with agency policy when dealing with confidential documents, office safety and personal safety;
• Completes monthly reports in a timely manner to meet both statistical and community responsibilities, including reviewing, transferring and closing of activities.

5. Teamwork

• Develops and maintains a positive and participatory approach to teamwork;
• Promptly addresses issues that have an impact on cooperation, support, moral and service delivery;
• Establishes respectful and effective working relationships with other staff, work units and other agencies;
• Seeks knowledge and information when they may be uncertain of policy, practice, or procedures.

6. Education, Experience & Knowledge Required:

• Two-year diploma in the Human Services field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with notes / minute taking
• Ability to utilize social media and other technology for engagement purposes
• Knowledge and appreciation of Indigenous culture and historical impacts effect the development of individuals and communities;
• Understanding of family systems and child development along with relevant legislation;
• Ability to practice standards set out in the B.C. Child, Family and Community Services Act, and the Aboriginal Operational and Practice Standards and Indicators (AOPSI) Manual;
• Significant cultural knowledge and demonstrated ability to build respectful relationships with on- and off-Reserve Indigenous communities are essential. A diploma in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and lived experience, will be considered.

7. Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write concise reports for various audiences;
• Demonstrated ability to lead and facilitate emotionally charged meetings/situations while working collaboratively with the family and community;
• Ability to form trusting, respectful and effective relationships with children, Indigenous communities, caregivers, parents, and other FVACFSS employees;
• Embeds solution-focused child welfare practices, such as Signs of Safety or Appreciative Inquiry, into community engagement work;
• Conferencing, with excellent clinical skills; gaining agreement on issues and identifying immediate steps of action for families and service providers;
• Demonstrated ability to balance competing priorities and work under pressure;
• Maintain an attitude of caring, respect and optimism for their clients;
• Maintain a clear differentiation between the professional and personal self;
• Computer skills for Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook; Social media skills;
• Valid BC Driver’s License; reliable transportation with adequate vehicle insurance.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

CEWs are expected to be familiar and must comply with the expectations of confidentiality as outlined in the Agency’s Human Resources Policy Manual and other policies and operational manuals, AOPSI and B.C. Child, Family and Community Services Act.