- Use your child welfare expertise to make a lasting difference in Vancouver’s Aboriginal community!
- Receive a competitive salary of $59,288.72 to $75,844.38 PLUS a comprehensive benefits package!
- Take on a challenging role that provides membership in the Public Service Pension Plan!
At VACFSS, we ensure that the rights, safety, well-being and spirit of Aboriginal children and families are upheld, honoured and protected. We strive to eliminate oppression, discrimination and marginalization within our community. We acknowledge and honour the inherent wisdom, capacity and resourcefulness of our community in designing programs and services to care for our own children and families. Accordingly, we are dedicated to planning, developing, and implementing creative and innovative Aboriginal programs and services in collaboration with members of our community and other agencies.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The Resources Worker is primarily responsible for recruiting, developing and maintaining a range of resources in which to place Children in Care: Foster Homes, Group Homes, Specialized Residential Resources such as Emergency Assessment and Treatment Homes/Centres. The position monitors services provided, supports the resource providers. The goal of this service is to provide the most appropriate placement to meet the needs of the child in care. Conducting home studies and making recommendations for approval, and liaising with non-residential contract resources, may be required of some positions.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Appropriate Resources:
- Receiving requests from district office social workers for placement of children being brought into care on an emergency and planned basis.
- Searching out and coordinating placements for children.
- Coordinating out-of-region placements if required. Develop permanent plans for children in the child’s best interest.
Liaises with Social Workers regarding placements of children in care by:
- Attending social work meetings on a regular basis to discuss and report on specific placement issues and general outstanding resource issues
- Acting as information focal point for children needing placement and/or service and transferring information to the appropriate resource worker
- Providing ongoing evaluation and assessment of caregivers.
Facilitates the provision of foster home resources by children-in-care by:
- Recruiting, orienting, studying, recommending for approval and training foster parents.
- Monitoring and provision of services and supporting foster parents.
- Coordinating the negotiation of special foster home rates, as required.
- Liaising with local foster parent associations and regional councils to resolve issues and provide information of mutual interest.
- May be assigned to negotiate foster care agreements.
Recruits and develops contracted resources by:
- Consulting with line child welfare workers and supervisors to identify resource development needs.
- Assisting the contract negotiator in defining the best way to meet identified needs.
- Recruiting and screening potential care givers
- Assisting negotiator to draw up specific schedules and/or agenda which clearly define service to be provided, based on client needs, to be included in the contract.
- Interpreting and explaining the contractor relationship to service providers and VACFSS staff and maintaining that relationship in all dealings with service providers
- Reviewing and understanding the contract negotiated, and interpreting same as required.
Supports foster homes and contracted resource providers by:
- Interpreting society policy and requirements to service providers in a positive manner.
- Representing the needs of service providers to VACFSS staff in a positive manner.
- Acting to resolve problems between service providers and VACFSS staff.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Training and Experience:
- Master of Social Work (MSW) or a Master’s degree in a related human services field; or
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW); or
- Bachelor of Arts degree or a degree in a related human services field plus 2 years recent related experience;
- Delegation training (to be provided).
Job Skills and Abilities:
- Thorough knowledge of the Child, Family and Community Services Act and the Federal Act, An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families
- Have a strong understanding of Aboriginal Child Welfare, and of situating children and families in the context of colonization.
- Awareness of resources available to Aboriginal clients, and knowledge of the referral process.
- Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with team members, other VACFSS colleagues, and personnel of other agencies in the community.
- Ability to work with clients from a trauma informed practice place, and promote healing opportunities for children and families.
- Well-developed interpersonal counseling and assessment skills.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to investigate complex family situations and assess risk.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle.
- Computer skills for Microsoft Word and Outlook.
ABOUT THE BENEFITS:
In exchange for your contributions, you will receive a competitive salary benefits package, including:
- Medical, extended health, and dental
- Group life
- 100% employer-paid premiums
- 3 weeks of vacation
- Eligible for the VACFSS flex program after passing probation
- Membership in the Public Service Pension Plan
- Access to VACFSS’ Staff Cultural Clinical Counselor, Elder
- Access to Indigenous Cultural Teachings as coordinated by the Agency
Note:
- This position requires Union membership
- Applications will be accepted from applicants of all genders
- Applicants are required to have a reliable working vehicle and a valid class 5 driver’s license
- This position requires the incumbent to be available in the office and follow COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocols. Remote work is unavailable. Participation of the in-office rotational schedule is required
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Interested applicants may apply at www.vacfss.com or by using the following link: Apply Online.
Preference may be given to Indigenous candidates as per Section 41 of the Human Rights Code.
We’re committed to providing safe and healthy workspaces in all our office locations to protect our employees, clients including children, youth, and families, caregivers as well as community partners. Due to the nature of our Agency’s work in providing essential services, VACFSS will require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 22, 2021. Proof of vaccination will be required as of this date for staff and will apply to new employees to the Agency. VACFSS will consider its obligations to accommodate those staff who are unable to be vaccinated.
This interim mandatory employee policy is intended to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of our employees, clients, and the public.
Situated on the unceded and occupied territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and Stó:lō nations.
