*INDIGENOUS WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. FIRST PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL QUALIFIED INDIGENOUS APPLICANTS.*

Position Title: Parenting Across the Life Cycle (PAL) Support Worker
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Contract End Date: March 31, 2027
Salary: $28.58/hr

POSITION SUMMARY

The Parenting Across the Lifecycle (PAL) Family Support Worker will support Indigenous families in a culturally safe, holistic way by empowering women to reclaim and restore their role as Indigenous mothers and regain their inherent right to parent their children. The worker will facilitate, coordinate and deliver community driven land-based activities, programs and services and assist with parenting support in culturally safe spaces.
These services and programs are offered within the organization’s Anishinabe Health and Wellness Framework.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Human Services related Diploma/Degree with a minimum three (3) years’ experience with developing and facilitating Indigenous land based cultural activities and program.
• Proven experience facilitating and delivering Indigenous Parenting Programs.
• Demonstrated experience working with Elders, Traditional Indigenous Knowledge holders and Indigenous communities.
• Demonstrated experience cooking and facilitating community kitchens.
• Proven experience in and knowledge of client challenges and barriers surrounding child welfare, justice and crisis support.
• Experience working with Indigenous women, families and communities.
• Ability/willingness to travel and to work flexible hours.
• Proven experience in providing advocacy and services to Indigenous women, families and/or communities with a focus on family reunification and living free from violence.
• Demonstrated understanding of Covid-19 health and safety procedures, and experience cleaning in a work setting and a community kitchen setting.
• Demonstrated experience in workshop development and facilitation.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Anishinabe culture, tradition, language and family dynamics.
• Equivalent education and experience may be considered.
• Experience working in an Indigenous organization.
• Ability to speak an Indigenous Language is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of and access to Indigenous Elders/Knowledge holders in the community.
• Knowledge about programs and resources available in the community.
• Knowledge and understanding of the legacy and impacts of Residential Schools, colonization and assimilation on the overall health of individuals.
• Strong advocacy skills and sound public relations skills with the ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work independently, demonstrating initiative, with limited supervision.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Knowledge of cooking, traditional meals and be able to cook
• Demonstrated ability in problem solving and ethical decision-making.
• Working knowledge of MS Office software, databases, internet and general office equipment.
• Skilled in motivating others to obtain personal goals and objectives.
• Ability to handle difficult and painful emotional situations and distance oneself from client’s problems or emotions, ensuring self-care is at the forefront.
• Must have a valid Class “G” Driver’s license, use of an automobile with appropriate insurance coverage
• Providing a successful Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC).
• Must be willing to work Flexible hours of work (35 hrs./wk.)
• Must sign Oath of Confidentiality.
• Must have First Aid Level C Certification.
• Must provide proof of full Covid-19 vaccination or medical exemption
• Must have Ontario Safe Food Handler Certification

AUTHORITY:

To execute duties and responsibilities outlined in the job description.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work from a holistic perspective, utilizing the teachings of the medicine wheel and Seven Grandfather teachings.
• Utilize Elders for teachings, healing and guidance.
• Provide a safe, non-judgmental and empowering support to indigenous women and their families.
• Take personal responsibility to increase sensitivity, awareness and implementation of Beendigen’s cultural teachings and organizational practices in both professional conduct and work-related deliverables.
• Be prepared to work in conjunction with the philosophy and mandate of the Organization.
• Facilitate and deliver a 12-week Indigenous Parenting Program on an ongoing basis.
• Work with women and their families with safety planning and goal setting.
• Develop and facilitate Indigenous sharing circles.
• Develop and facilitate parenting groups and circles.
• Develop and facilitate Traditional Parenting Workshops and provide resources and information to participants.
• Develop, facilitate and deliver community kitchen’s using traditional recipes and foods.
• Coordinate or facilitate medicine teaching and harvesting.
• Provide advocacy and support when dealing with child welfare, mentoring and life skills.
• Provide support to women and their families through scheduling home visits.
• Provide referrals to other community services and to Beendigen programs.
• Facilitate information sharing on community resources and supports.
• Promote healthy communication in the family.
• Assist the women and families with safety planning and risk assessments.
• Develop and facilitate traditional crafting and life skills (ie. Sewing).
• Support with the development of plans of care and kinship plans.
• Facilitate healing through Arts and Crafts such as drum making, rattle making, dream catcher making, painting and sewing.
• Provide visitation support and accompaniment to appointments with CAS, VAW and Legal Aid appointments.
• Maintain accurate logs and up-to-date client files.
• Complete required reports and submit in a timely manner.
• Assist Breaking Free from Violence staff as needed.
• Ensure work area is cleaned before and after workshops/programming.
• Develop and maintain connections to and knowledge of local community resources and agencies.
• Participate as a team member in achieving the goals and objectives of the Organization.
• Constructively participate in all team meetings, seminars and staff training sessions as required.
• Follow confidential handling of client information as dictated by Privacy Legislation.
• Ensure Health and Safety compliance in the workplace by following policies, procedures and best practices and reporting any unsafe environments.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Program Manager/On-call.
• Adhere to all policies, procedures and ensure adherence to program Best Practices.
• Preserve confidentiality of all residents, clients, staff, students, volunteers and agency information.
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.

RESPONSIBILITIES – PUBLIC RELATIONS:

Promotes Beendigen at all times, when networking and events.
To adhere to professionalism in always representing the organization.
Maintain excellent communication and community connections.

OTHER DUTIES

Any other duties as requested by the Program Manager, commensurate with role.
The above statements are the general functions of the position and should not be interpreted as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may pertain to the job.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

The Parenting Across the Lifecycle (PAL) Family Support Worker will be accountable to the Program Manager for the proper completion of the functions outlined in the job description.