Community Engagement Worker

Department: Health Services

Classification Level: CS-4

Employment Status: Fulltime (Year 1 of 5-year Strategy)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Purpose

M’Chigeeng First Nation is committed to strengthening community wellness and is undertaking a multi-year initiative to develop a Nation-based Child Well-Being Law and a culturally grounded community-care model rooted in prevention, self-determination, and Anishinaabe values. As a vibrant and united community of the Anishinabek of the Three Fires Confederacy, M’Chigeeng is guided by a vision of being a proud, progressive, and Ojibwe-speaking Nation where people are healthy, self-reliant, and grounded in their responsibilities to Mother Earth.

To support this work, M’Chigeeng First Nation requires dedicated roles that will lead engagement, planning, research, coordination, and capacity development. Year 1 represents a critical readiness phase focused on community engagement, needs assessment, data gathering, and intergovernmental coordination to prepare for exercising jurisdiction under the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program and An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth and families. These roles will ensure that the development of the Child Well-Being Law and community-care model is community-driven, culturally informed, and aligned with M’Chigeeng’s long-term vision of self-governance, family wellness, and sustainable service delivery.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Community Engagement Worker supports the development of the M’Chigeeng First Nation Child Well‑Being Law and Community Care Model by leading community engagement, coordinating advisory processes, and ensuring that community voices guide all stages of planning and decision‑making. The Community Engagement Worker will deliver Year 1 priorities through coordinated, culturally grounded engagement activities, structured facilitation processes, and the timely completion of all required project deliverables. Working closely with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, families, youth, service providers, and leadership, the role gathers and analyzes community insights, documents priorities, and translates engagement outcomes into clear, actionable inputs that inform governance, policy development, and system design. The Community Engagement Worker reports directly to the Coordinator.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Engagement Leadership & Facilitation

• Lead the design and implementation of the Year 1 Community Engagement Plan.
• Plan, organize, and facilitate engagement sessions, sharing circles, interviews, focus groups, and community meetings with youth, parents, caregivers, grandparents, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, service providers, internal departments, and off‑territory partners.
• Ensure all engagement processes reflect Anishinaabe teachings, protocols, cultural safety, and trauma‑informed practice.
• Create welcoming, inclusive environments that support open dialogue, trust‑building, and respectful participation.
• Oversee logistics, scheduling, materials, and coordination for all engagement activities.

Documentation, Analysis & Needs Assessment

• Document community input, lived experiences, service gaps, and emerging themes with accuracy, respect, and confidentiality.
• Analyze recurring themes, priorities, strengths, and concerns to inform the needs assessment, prevention framework, and Community Care Model development.
• Support the Coordinator in preparing engagement summaries, needs assessment content, and community‑informed recommendations.
• Ensure documentation aligns with Year 1 reporting requirements and jurisdiction development milestones.

Collaboration, Coordination & Reporting

• Work closely with the Coordinator to align engagement activities with the Year 1 Workplan, jurisdiction development timelines, and reporting requirements.
• Contribute senior‑level input into prevention framework development, service reviews, and Community Care Model design.
• Prepare or support the preparation of engagement summaries, reports, briefing notes, presentations, and community updates for leadership, Chief and Council, and funders.
• Participate in team meetings, advisory sessions, planning discussions, and cross‑functional coordination activities.

Reporting & Communication

• Prepare clear summaries, notes, and reports from engagement sessions.
• Contribute quarterly updates for Chief and Council and ISC reporting.
• Assist with communication materials, presentations, and community updates to ensure transparency and community awareness.

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND DEVELOPMENT

• Adheres to relevant best practices, policies, and professional standards.
• Ensures an inclusive, friendly and safe environment that is supportive of all visitors and participants accessing programs and services.
• Serves as a community role model and uphold the values of the M’Chigeeng First Nation both in the workplace and in the community.
• Participates in training to maintain and enhance professional competence.
• Engages in monthly supervision meetings and scheduled performance appraisals to support ongoing growth and accountability.
• Drives continuous improvement by enhancing operational efficiency and streamlining work processes.

ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

• Reports to the Coordinator, who provides overall direction and oversight.
• Accountable to the M’Chigeeng First Nation Chief and Council for the effective advancement of the Child Well-Being Law Development and Jurisdiction Readiness Project.
• Holds delegated authority to plan, coordinate, and implement Year 1 activities and deliverables related to the M’Chigeeng First Nation Child Well-Being Law Development and Jurisdiction Readiness Project.
• Day-to-day functions are supervised by the Coordinator, who ensures alignment with project timelines and community priorities.
• Financial accountability remains with M’Chigeeng First Nation, in accordance with their financial policies, procedures, and approval authorities.
• The Community Engagement Worker is responsible for adherence to M’Chigeeng First Nation financial policies.
• Accountable to funding agencies for meeting reporting requirements, performance expectations, and compliance with program standards, and may be subject to reviews or audits by Federal, Provincial, or First Nation bodies.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The Community Engagement worker is responsible for ensuring that all information is kept in the strictest confidence. This includes program information, personnel information and client information which is in most cases very delicate (police records, mental health issues, family issues, paternity issues, etc.)

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

The Community Engagement Worker must be fluent in English, both verbally and in writing. Equally essential is fluency-or at a minimum a strong working knowledge of Anishinaabemowin. The Community Engagement Worker is also expected to actively pursue supports, training, and initiatives that strengthen their ability to understand and communicate in the Anishinaabemowin language, in alignment with M’Chigeeng First Nation’s commitment to language revitalization and cultural continuity.

CONTACTS

Establishing and maintaining positive relations with pertinent contacts at levels of government and within various organizations is essential to the success of the program; therefore, the Community Engagement Worker must have strong communication skills.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Diploma or degree in Social Services, Community Development, Indigenous Studies, Social Work, Child & Youth Care, or a related field; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience facilitating community engagement, circles, consultations, or group processes, preferably within Indigenous community settings.
• Experience working with Indigenous families, youth, Elders, and community partners.
• Knowledge of M’Chigeeng First Nation’s programs and services.
• Knowledge, understanding, respect, and sensitivity of Anishnawbek culture, traditions, and the Seven Grandfather Teachings.
• Experience supporting staff, mentoring peers, or coordinating engagement activities is a strong asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, and data tracking tools.
• Ability to understand and speak Anishinaabemowin is a definite asset.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of Anishinaabe culture, teachings, the Seven Grandfather Teachings, community governance structures, with respect for community protocols and practices.
• Knowledge of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, youth and families, the First Nations Child and Family Services (FNCFS) Program, and the Child Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA).
• Skilled in trauma‑informed, culturally safe, and strengths‑based facilitation.
• Excellent communication, listening, relationship‑building, and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Ability to document discussions accurately, identify themes, and prepare clear reports and summaries.
• Ability to work collaboratively with leadership, staff, community members, and external partners.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a community‑driven environment.

Other Requirements:

• Clear CPIC with Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Valid Class “G” Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Must have $1M Automobile Insurance coverage.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings or weekends, to support community engagement sessions and events.
• Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical practice.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Combination of office‑based work and frequent community‑based engagement activities.
• Regular interaction with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, families, service providers, leadership, and community partners.
• Occasional travel for meetings, outreach, or engagement activities.
• Requires careful handling of sensitive information and a commitment to preserving community trust.
• Staff regularly encounter high-risk situations involving verbally or physically abusive, emotionally, unstable, or intoxicated clients, creating potential threats to personal safety and requiring strong crisis-management and aftercare practices.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

• Delivers high‑quality, culturally grounded engagement sessions with strong participant satisfaction and consistent adherence to community protocols.
• Produces timely, accurate engagement summaries and thematic analyses that directly inform project planning and decision‑making.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with Elders, youth, families, and partners, resulting in increased trust, participation, and collaboration.

CRC Rationale

CRC must be thirty (30) days current and be an original or certified copy. All individuals applying for employment with MFN Education programs are required to submit Criminal Record Check upon successful interview.

Interested applicants must submit cover letter, resume, and three (3) current work related references (2 work-related references from a direct supervisor/manager and 1-character reference that will be contacted upon a successful interview) and education certifications to the address below or by applying to this posting:

Community Engagement Worker (Child Well-Being Law Development and Jurisdictional Readiness)

c/o Human Resources
[email protected]
M’Chigeeng FN, P.O. Box 333
M’Chigeeng, ON P0P 1G0 (Fax 705-377-4980)