Family Engagement Specialist
Intensive Family Support — Building Resilient Caregivers Spoke
Location
Based at Parkdale Hub — Serves All of Edmonton
Hours
34.5 hours per week
Reports To
Supervisor, Kikosewin FRN
Status
Two Year Contract with the Potential the Extend
Closing Date
Open until a suitable candidate is found
Apply To
Human Resources, Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
Application
Submit resume and cover letter to [email protected]
Land Acknowledgement
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on Treaty 6 territory, the traditional gathering place of many Indigenous peoples. We are committed to reconciliation and to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
About Kikosewin FRN
The Kikosewin Family Resource Network (FRN) is an Indigenous-led, community-based prevention and early intervention network operated by Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society. The Family Engagement Specialist provides intensive, in-home family support to families with children ages 7–17 across Edmonton filling a critical gap in prevention services for school-age children, adolescents and their caregivers.
About the Role
The Family Engagement Specialist provides voluntary, relationship-based intensive support to families navigating complex challenges during the school-age and adolescent years. In this role workers builds relationships with both the caregiver and the young person, holding the whole family in view.
This is a new position within the Kikosewin FRN, designed to bridge a gap in the network. Families with children ages 7–17 who need the same depth of individualized, in-home support that Home Visitation provides for families with younger children. If you are an experienced family support worker who is drawn to the complexity of adolescent development and family systems work, this role was designed for you.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide regular, voluntary in-home and community-based visits to families with children ages 7–17
- Build trusting, professional relationships with both caregivers and young people
- Develop collaborative service plans that reflect caregiver goals and youth-identified goals
for youth ages 13–17
- Support caregivers to strengthen their parenting capacity, communication skills, and resilience
- Advocate with and support families in navigating school systems, Children's Services, mental health services, and other institutions
- Carry a caseload of 15–20 families and maintain accurate, current case documentation
- Identify and respond appropriately to youth risk and safety concerns
- Participate in regular individual supervision and team meetings with the home visiting team
- Support planned transitions including warm referrals to Youth Development & Resiliency
Qualifications
Education:
- Diploma or degree in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, or a related field is required
Experience:
- Experience providing intensive, individualized support to families with school-age children or adolescents
- Experience working with Indigenous families using culturally grounded, trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches
- Experience navigating complex family circumstances including adolescent mental health, school disengagement, Children's Services involvement, and systems complexity
- Experience with adolescent development and family systems work is strongly preferred
Knowledge and Skills:
- Strong knowledge of child and adolescent development across the 7–17 age range
- Understanding of family systems theory and how family dynamics shape individual outcomes
- Knowledge of the impacts of intergenerational trauma and colonization on Indigenous families
- Strong relational skills, able to build trust with both adults and adolescents
- Knowledge of school advocacy, Children's Services processes, and youth mental health systems in Alberta
- Ability to work independently in home environments with sound professional judgment
- The ability to lift, set up and move large items to support the role.
Other Requirements:
- Criminal record check and vulnerable sector check required
- Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle required — Edmonton-wide travel
- First Aid/CPR required or willingness to obtain
- Suicide intervention training (e.g., ASIST) and crisis response training preferred
What We Offer
- The opportunity to shape a new role and help build something that did not previously exist in this network
- Close supervision and strong professional development support including regular team meetings with the Home Visiting team
- An Indigenous-led organization deeply committed to family wellbeing, cultural safety, and relational practice
Salary
- Salary plus mileage for travel
- Paid sick and wellness days after 3 months’ probation (pro-rated)
- Extended Health Benefit (50/50 cost sharing) after 6 months’ employment.
- Working approximately 34.5 hours per week
Pay: $49,100.00-$51,555.00 per year
Work Location: In person
