PLEASE ONLY APPLY IF YOU HAVE THE REQUIRED CRUDENTIAL.
PURPOSE AND KEY FOCUS
To provide services and supports that promotes the Tsay Keh Dene Nation health and wellness vision and plan. Under the direction of the Health and Wellness Director the Social Worker will be responsible for developing and delivering services to community members with a focus on enhancing mental health and working with families to prevent crisis.
JOB SUMMARY
The Health & Wellness Social Worker provides culturally safe, community‑based social work services that support the social, emotional, mental, and holistic wellbeing of community members across the lifespan. The role functions within an interdisciplinary health and wellness team and applies a case management approach to support individuals, families, and households with complex and intersecting needs.
This position recognizes the ongoing impacts of colonialism, intergenerational trauma, housing insecurity, systemic barriers, and the social determinants of health. Services are delivered both on‑reserve and off‑reserve, supporting community members where they reside, travel, or access care and services.
Practice is relational, strengths‑based, trauma‑informed, and grounded in respect for local culture, protocols, and ways of being.
REPORTING STRUCTURE
Reports to the Health and Wellness Director
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Case Management & Direct Support
- Provide case management services for individuals and families with complex health, wellness, housing, and social needs
- Conduct intake, assessment, care planning, coordination, follow‑up, and transition planning
- Provide supportive counselling, crisis intervention, and advocacy using culturally grounded and trauma‑informed approaches
- Support clients experiencing mental health concerns, substance use, grief and loss, family violence, homelessness, or housing instability
Supportive Housing & Advocacy
- Advocate for safe, stable, and culturally appropriate housing for community members both on‑ and off‑reserve
- Support individuals living in supportive, transitional, or at‑risk housing through care coordination and tenancy‑related advocacy
- Liaise with housing providers, Band administration, health teams, and external agencies to address housing barriers, eviction risks, and safety concerns
- Assist with applications, documentation, and follow‑up related to housing, income assistance, disability benefits, and related supports
- Advocate for supportive services and reasonable accommodations for clients with complex needs to promote housing stability
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Work as part of an interdisciplinary health and wellness team, contributing social work expertise to shared planning and coordinated care
- Participate in interdisciplinary case conferences, care planning meetings, and service integration activities
- Collaborate with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, housing staff, mental health workers, nurses, visiting clinicians, and leadership
- Support continuity of care across programs, disciplines, and jurisdictions
On‑ and Off‑Reserve Scope
- Support community members living on‑reserve and off‑reserve, including during medical travel or when accessing regional services
- Provide system navigation and advocacy across First Nations, provincial, and federal systems
- Coordinate with off‑reserve agencies, hospitals, housing providers, and service organizations to ensure continuity and culturally safe transitions
Community‑Based & Preventive Work
- Support community wellness initiatives, outreach, and group activities aligned with community priorities
- Contribute to prevention and early intervention efforts related to housing stability, safety, and wellbeing
- Participate in community gatherings, cultural activities, or on‑the‑land initiatives when appropriate and invited
Documentation & Professional Practice
- Maintain clear, timely documentation consistent with organizational, community, and regulatory requirements
- Contribute to program planning, reporting, and quality improvement activities
- Uphold social work ethics, professional standards, and community‑specific policies and protocols
- Performs other duties as required
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
- Bachelor degree in a relevant profession, Social Work preferred
- Eligible for BC registration with relevant professional discipline
· Two years of relevant experience
· Experience working in First Nations Communities
- Or, equivalent combination of education and experience
· Valid BC driver’s license, class 5 and reliable vehicle
· Current First Aid/CPR certificate or willing to obtain
· Criminal records check with vulnerable sector clearance
Competencies (KSAs & Desired Attributes)
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity and knowledge of traditional Aboriginal wellness and healing practices
- Proficiency in Federal and Provincial legislation and policies related to Child and Family programs and services
- Knowledge of mental health/psychiatric conditions, substance abuse, individual and family development stages, and mental health act
- Experience with community outreach and crisis intervention
- Demonstrated effective communication, mediation, advocacy, teaching and rapport building skills.
- Ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment
- Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Ability to work both independently as well as collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to prioritize and organize workload
- Intermediate level computer/technological skills
- Desire to increase capacity through professional development
WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical Demands
The Social Worker will be required to stand for long periods while facilitating programs. The incumbent may also spend extended periods sitting at a desk. The Community Social Worker may also have to do some lifting of supplies and materials from time to time.
Environmental Conditions
The Social Worker may have to manage a number of cases at one time, and interruptions many occur frequently to meet the needs of individuals. The Social Worker may find the environment to be busy and noisy and will need excellent stress and time management skills. There will be some exposure to varying weather conditions for case management activities. Client’s homes may include smokers, pets or other sources of allergens. There is a potential to encounter dogs during home visits.
Sensory Demands
Sensory demands include use of the computer, learning aids, and speaking much of the time. The office may be noisy and busy making it difficult for the Social Worker to concentrate. The Social Worker will be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not attentive to personal health and safety for themselves or their homes. The Social Worker may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the use of alcohol and drugs, and the lack of personal care.
Mental Demands
The Social Worker will need to maintain a calm, respectful yet firm demeanor requiring cognitive effort to deal with various behavior and needs of clients. The Social Worker may regularly face stressful situations due to the sensitive nature of the program. Varying sources of stress may include:
· Regularly dealing with personal situations involving clients, which include both crisis and emergencies
· The need to manage the activities of others and the requirement to regularly manage families and outside agencies
· Potential to manage situations with suicidal individuals
· At times when required the Community Social Worker may have to be available evenings and/or weekends.
DIRECT REPORTS
None
CLASSIFICATION/PAY SCALE
Commensuration with experience and education
Pay: $37.00-$40.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
