Social Development Manager

About Musqueam

We are traditional hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking people. Today, we are a strong, growing community of over 1,300 members. We live on a small portion of our traditional territory, known as the Musqueam Indian Reserve, located south of Marine Drive near the mouth of the Fraser River. The name Musqueam relates back to the River Plant, the name of the plant is məθkʷəy̓. There is a story that has been passed on from generation to generation that explains how we became known as the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) - People of the River Plant. We have always moved throughout our territory using the resources it provides for fishing, hunting, trapping and gathering. We remain distinct and our cultural practices are strong, despite the devastating impacts of residential schools, colonial laws banning our ceremonies, and other attempts to assimilate our people. Our lands and waters continue to support our cultural and economic practices while serving as a source of knowledge and memory, encoded with our teachings and laws. To learn more about Musqueam, please visit www.musqueam.bc.ca

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 and educational psychologist to the benefit of all children.
• Attend mediation and educational planning sessions and meetings with Musqueam families and the schools as required.

Administrative Duties

• Manage and lead Social Development Officers; Safe Home Staff; Home Makers; Family Outreach Worker; Family Grief Therapist, and Social Worker on all respects.
• Oversee and support contractors and contract employees as required.
• Developing and administering departmental policies and procedures.
• Provides summary reports to the CAO, Band Council, and its Committees as required.
• Propose strategic and operational plans to meet community needs.
• Plan and prepare all safe home programs, interventions, training and budgets for the safe home.
• Prepare and present annual department budget submissions and ensure cost control over all direct reports and their respective budgets.
• Writes proposals for program development and ensure that funding requirements are met.
• Provide summary reports on services offered by the department, as required by funding agencies, CAO, Council and the Community.
• Seek input from the Musqueam community on a regular basis to determine their needs, which will provide direction to the department's program planning.

As a social worker for the Musqueam Indian Band you are called upon to

• Assist and advise the Band Council, the Administration, Council Committees, on strategic and operational issues and plans, including the development of proactive programs and policies to improve the life of the community and its individuals.
• Assist, support and help all Musqueam members with both specific and general social issues that may affect relationships, families, employment, education, healing and community relations.
• Advocate for individuals, families and for the community with other band administration departments and with outside agencies to optimize the outcome for clients and for the community.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor of Social Worker (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) from an approved school of social work; or from an accredited institution, combined with a minimum of five years' direct social work and management experience.
• Current Registration with the BC College of Social Workers BC (BCCSW).
• Membership in a related professional association, BC Association of Social Workers or The Canadian Association for Social Work.
• 3-5 years of management experience.
• Thorough knowledge of social work principles, techniques and practices and their application to complex casework, group work and community problems.
• Considerable knowledge of family and group dynamics, a range of intervention techniques, governmental and private organizations, resources in the community, laws, regulations and policies which govern the program, methods and principles of casework supervision and training.
• Skill in establishing rapport with a client and in applying techniques or assessing psychosocial, behavioral, and psychological aspects of client problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of case load and their families as well as civic, legal, medical, social and other organizations.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively.
• Knowledge and experience of similar program delivery in the context of Musqueam or First Nations culture and history.
• Experience counseling individuals and groups on a variety of issues, including physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual abuse, substance abuse and cultural deprivation.
• Ability to use tact and good judgment in dealing with sensitive and complex issues.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to use typical electronic and computer equipment and software
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to drive and provide a licensed vehicle for work purposes.
• Ability to develop and operate within annual department and or program budgets
• Must be able to work within tight deadlines
• Previous experience in financial reporting and principals.
• Valid BC Driver's License and access to vehicle for business purposes.
• Successful criminal record check.

Working Conditions

• The work is performed in an office environment as well as outdoors.
• This position is in office, may require outside of office on-call coverage.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.

Why work for Musqueam?

Our success as a leader as a First Nations Government is built on the traditional teachings of our people, initiative and dedication of the Musqueam Indian Band. Providing a highly engaged traditional government that is member focused.

• Competitive salary
• Training and career development
• Business casual environment
• Community fitness and gym access
• Comprehensive group benefits plan and pension plan
• Centrally located with free parking; free onsite gym and class access; close to nature trails at UBC and along the Fraser River, shops, restaurants and services.