Career Opportunities

Purpose and Scope:
Under the general direction of the Director of Community Well-being, the Band Representative Manager will be responsible for providing direction to departmental staff, monitoring of program expenditures and reviewing client management practices in accordance with department policies, procedures and directives. The Band Representative Manager must actively deal with challenging and complex cases to ensure that a high level of professional quality client service is provided. A key responsibility will be to foster team building, providing effective leadership within a fast-paced multi-tasked environment. The Band Representative Manager acts on behalf of the First Nation as a party in the Court Proceedings involving the First Nation’s children and youth under CYFSA. The role of the Band Representative Manager is to protect the collective best interests of the First Nation’s children and to ensure a culturally appropriate disposition of the case. The Band Representative Manager ensures that every notification from Child Welfare Agency is responded to within the required time.

Major Responsibilities:

• To liaise with other First Nation Band Representatives, Agencies and Legal Counsel
• Accompany Children’s Aide Service Workers during investigations in Fort William First Nation territory
• Ensure that Fort William First Nation Members are fully aware of their rights in child welfare proceedings
• Develop a working relationship and implement protocols with all Child and Family Services and CASs engaged with Fort William First Nation Members
• Liaise with the Fort William First Nation, Member Families and the CAS
• Provide family support services to promote the culture and aspirations of the Fort William First Nation
• Support identified community and family placements for Fort William First Nation Children and Youth
• Plan, develop, implement, coordinate and evaluate the delivery of services
• Provide leadership and client management to the team
• Assist in the coordination of community development and educational services
• Document daily activities, and submit detailed reports on a regular basis
• Schedule, conduct and/or attend regular staff meetings
• Attend workshops, career development and continuing education opportunities to maintain an up-to-date working knowledge of issues that affect the position
• Promote the integration and acceptance of clients in the community
• Maintain established logs and all other required forms of documentation in a thorough, clear, and legible manner
• Understand and use correct reporting procedures
• Communicate effectively and use a professional approach with all team members, managers, supervisors, clients and stakeholders
• Respect and protect the privacy of information relating to all company clients, employees, and business affairs
• Maintain current knowledge and practice of all relevant plans, policies and procedures as established by the company
• Maintain knowledge of external regulatory bodies governing the company
• Maintain current credentials as required for employment
• Assist in the development and implementation of policies and programs that will drive increased client and employee satisfaction and commitment levels
• Represent the First Nation at Court as a Party to Child Welfare Proceedings
• Prepare the Plans of Care, including recommendations for placement of children
• Prepare, respond to and process legal documents as required
• Support alternative dispute resolution in place of court proceedings; interests to courts, Children’s Aid Societies and other agencies
• Engage legal counsel to support the preparation of court documents and to represent the First Nation in Court on complex matters
• Compile all relevant case-related information and documentation
• Coordinate case management conferences with all community services involved to monitor client’s plan of care and progress Legal Responsibilities
• Prepare, serve and file additions or amendments to the client’s plan of care
• Gather evidence, prepare arguments, produce and prepare witnesses and prepare draft orders
• Prepare for and attend settlement conferences to represent the First Nation interests
• Oral and written presentations in court, as required
• Ensure client files are maintained and updated on a regular basis
• Report to immediate supervisor and Chief and council, as directed
• Data collection and submission of reports
• Other related duties as assigned

Working Conditions:

• Overtime, after hours, flexible, on-call schedule required
• Interaction with community members, family members, staff, visitors, government agencies/personnel under all circumstances, which may be traumatic situations
• Constant interaction with the general public
• Ability to attend and conduct presentations
• Travel may be required
• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals

Qualifications:

• A minimum, Post-Secondary Diploma in Social Work/Law Clerk/Child and Youth Worker or related field
• Experience in a supervisory role
• A minimum of 3 years of social services experience with First Nations
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and own a vehicle
• Must provide a criminal reference and vulnerable sector check.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the First Nation’s Interest in Child, Youth and Family Services Act (Ontario) and proceedings involving the First Nation’s Children
• Able to interpret legislation and legal documents
• Knowledge of Case Management techniques
• Strong written and oral skills
• Strong negotiation skills, techniques and advocacy
• Willing to work flexible hours and travel with minimal notice
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential subject matter
• Strong computer skills with experience using word processing software

Salary: To be negotiated.
Job Posting Closing Date: Applications, consisting of a cover letter and resume with three (3) references, must be received by 11:59PM on Sunday, August 11th, 2024.

Please direct your application to the attention of:
Human Resources – Recruitment
Ph: 807-623-9543, Fa: 807-623-5190
Email: jobs@fwfn.com

When hand delivering; ensure that your application is date stamped and a copy provided to you.
When applying online, please ensure to reference the Job Posting Title in the Subject Line.

We appreciate all applications. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.