Early Years Culture Worker (Excluded)

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Métis Early Childcare and Prevention Senior Manager, the Early Years Cultural Worker will provide guidance, knowledge and support to staff and the participants of the program to assist them in learning about Metis cultural traditions and values to enhance community belonging and family unity. They will use their specific knowledge and practices to enhance existing programs and activities that support child development and strengthening capacity for families to meet their children’s needs.

Reports to: Metis Early Childcare and Prevention Senior Manager

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides knowledge of the medicine wheel, traditional medicines and Metis culture practices and values
• Collaborates with staff members to give guidance, knowledge and understandings of the Metis and Indigenous culture to participants
• Identifies the Metis and Indigenous community for the children and family and provides the required supports to children and families in connecting with their Indigenous/Metis community
• Mentors the children and families in cultural activities
• Supports cultural activities, such as Drum making etc. with the participants
• Supports families during planning circles, meetings and at agency events, as needed
• Supports family plans developed through the planning circles.
• Facilitates cultural learning experiences by sourcing community resources and experts
• Collaborate with team members to evaluate the effectiveness of cultural programming
• Collaborate with team members in providing skill-building guidance in areas such as parenting, anger management and/or self-management strategies for parents/caregivers
• Participates in and supports team members in planning cultural activities for Family Nights, and play groups for children and families at the agency
• Provides one-on-one cultural support for parents/caregivers
• Supports team members in developing and implementing (short-term, issue-specific) cultural support plans within program guidelines in consultation with the Team Leader
• Welcomes, greets and provides a positive, culturally relevant experience for children and families attending the agency
• Helps with building connections within the Indigenous community and agency partners
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications, Education and Experience:

• A diploma in a related human social services field (a degree is preferred).
• Experience working in a professional setting providing collaborative support services to children and families
• Experience of providing cultural programming to children and families
• Experience and/or education in early childhood education preferred
• One (1) year of recent related experience Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience

Job Skills and Abilities:

• Good knowledge of Indigenous/Metis issues and needs of families in the community.
• Diverse understanding of Indigenous/Metis history with the ability to express and represent Indigenous/Metis culture and perspective
• Experience working with Indigenous family systems and understands the impact of complex issues related to intergenerational trauma and impact on Indigenous/Metis families in today’s society
• Must be comfortable with client interaction in the community, home, and in the agency
• Ability to work collaboratively with Social workers and other professionals for the best interest of children and families
• Awareness of the diversity of Indigenous people in an urban setting
• Serves as a positive role model for community and co-workers
• Understanding of drug and alcohol issues and the impact on the families
• Excellent oral, written facilitation and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated teamwork
• Good time and general management skills
• Ability to work effectively with program staff, volunteers, and non-profit or publicly funded groups, agencies and organizations

Additional considerations and requirements

• Subject to a positive reference check.
• Successful completion of security screening requirements of Métis Family Services, which includes a criminal records check, and/or Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) check, police record checks, enhanced security screening and degree verification;

• A valid Class 5 BC driver's license, clean driver's abstract, and access to a reliable vehicle
• Satisfactory proof of legal authorization to work in Canada
• This position requires the ability to function independently. Program delivery activities may require a moderate level of physical fitness to effectively carry out duties of the position.

Rate of pay: Annual Salary $53,089.40 (an hourly rate $29.17)

Start date: As soon as possible.

Please apply for this position from our Career Opportunities website by looking for this specific job position and then clicking on the "Apply Now" button.

This position is an excluded role.

Metis Family Services thanks all applicants for their interest in this career opportunity; however, only those considered for the position will be contacted.