Position Summary
Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Social Development Manager/Social Worker provides intensive social work services in serious and complicated cases to Musqueam Indian Band (MIB) both on and off reserve requiring adaptable and highly skilled casework, group work, and community organization techniques. Work involves in-depth assessment of families, their dynamics and needs, including evaluation, planning, coordination and treatment of clients and/or their families or, further advanced social work intervention and mediation. In addition, this position will oversee the Social Development Department; it’s staffing, claimants, budgets and negotiations with all funding agents. The Musqueam social worker is the all-encompassing resource for families in need on the Musqueam Reserve.
Roles and Responsibilities
As a Member of MIB Management Team
Plan, develop, and coordinate social development services to Musqueam Indian Band members, including social work, financial aid /child welfare, drug/alcohol, BC Housing, employment support and where criminal activity impacts families, including counseling to staff and community members.
Liaise with Ministry for Children and Family Development and utilize the Musqueam Safe Home for the benefit of all Musqueam Children and their families both on and off reserve.
Liaise and support MCFD on all child related issues relating to the safe home and Family Outreach.
Investigates reports of child physical/sexual abuse/neglect, family violence, or elder abuse in the Musqueam community in conjunction with delegated authorities.
Initiate culturally appropriate interventions and planning as necessary to resolve and or, protect children/elders and family wellbeing.
Address challenging social issues, such as community safety, addictions, and healing.
Apply and refer Musqueam members both on and off reserve to treatment and counseling programs where drugs/alcohol and or sexual abuse is a concern.
Support financial needs to Musqueam members seeking to attend addictions treatment programs, who are also social assistance clients.
Attends court and prepares relevant documents in child/family welfare and criminal cases as required.
Advocates for clients with outside agencies including the courts, the police, social service agencies and schools as required.
Housing
Advise and assist all Musqueam members with applications to BC Housing, local Housing organizations, shelters, social assistance and social support agencies to ensure secure housing opportunities.
Apply to housing agencies with families where housing is paramount to the protection and safety of children.
Work closely with BC Housing managers to liaise with Musqueam community members on any tenancy issues that arise or are reported by BC Housing.
Assist, advise and secure when possible for Musqueam members any and all furniture acquisition necessary to their basic living needs.
Liaise and ensure payments for removals of Musqueam members’ personal belongings to and from their home base through social development and or off reserve social assistance.
Working with External and Internal Departments
Liaise and coordinate services with legal representatives including legal aid agencies on all criminal matters for Musqueam members.
Maintains professional relationships other agencies both on and off reserve on behalf of Musqueam members and staff.
Provide guidance, including intake and assessment to Musqueam members, their families and staff and coordinate support services with other Musqueam departments and managers.
Refer to counselors and support services were necessary or requested by Musqueam members both on and off reserve
Participate in case conferences initiatives and operational planning initiatives with other band departments to assist with client requirements and needs.
Liaise and support Musqueam children in schools by working with the families to plan with principals, teachers, aboriginal support staff, school boards…