Supervisor, Band Court Representative

POSITION TITLE: Supervisor, Band Court Representative (Contract)

CLASSIFICATION: SW Degree – Level 1, $77,000

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP AND AUTHORITY: Reports to and works under the direction of the Manager, Child Welfare and/or Services Manager.

SUMMARY

The Supervisor, Band Court Representative will be responsible for overseeing and ensuring the delivery and day-to-day management of the Child Welfare Advocacy services for members of Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation (AoPFN) through Nigig Nibi Ki-win Gamik.

The Supervisor, Band Court Representative will be responsible for representing the AoPFN as a party to court proceedings involving AoPFN children, youth and families under the Child, Youth & Family Services Act, 2017 and will actively protect the collective interests of AoPFN’s children, youth and families ensuring a culturally appropriate management and disposition is maintained in all cases.

The Supervisor, Band Court Representative will be assigned duties that allocate, distribute and oversee the work of Band Court Representatives; membership on committees internal and external, as may be required or as deemed appropriate and necessitated by the Services Manager and will be responsible for recommending the appointment of Band Court Representatives for AoPFN.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Child Welfare Department Advocate Services:

• Responds to all Child Welfare agency notifications within the prescribed time.
• Supports Band Court Representative in securing interventions, counselling and escalating other supports, including alternative dispute resolution and Jordan’s Principle, as needed.
• Acts as the Band Court Representative or assigns a Band Court Representative for each case and to each Family & Children Services Worker during investigations and processes relating to AoPFN members residing on reserve and in the Renfrew County Municipality.
• Working with Manager of the Child Welfare Department, engages legal counsel to support the preparation of court documents and to represent the FN in complex court cases.
• Develops a working relationship with leadership in all Family & Children Services engaged with AoPFN members.
• Ensures that AoPFN members are fully aware of their rights in child welfare proceedings.
• Attends all court proceedings as a party to represent the interests of AoPFN and advocate on behalf of AoPFN children and youth in all child welfare cases.
• Supports alternative dispute resolution processes as an alternative to court proceedings.
• Reviews Plans of Care prepared by Band Court Representative as necessary.
• Monitors, evaluates Plans of Care and prepares, serves and files additions or amendments.
• Investigates, research and compiles evidence related to the case.
• Prepares documents, arguments, draft orders and responds to and processes legal documents.
• Prepares witnesses.
• Attends and participates in court proceedings and makes oral and written presentations, as required.
• Prepares for and attends settlement conferences to represent the interests of AoPFN through Nigig Nibi Ki-win Gamik.
• Provides family support services that promote the cultural aspirations of AoPFN.
• Ensures client case files are maintained and updated on a regular basis.
• Provides on-going follow-up and support in all cases.

Human Resource Management:

• Ensures effective staffing of Child Welfare programs and services makes recommendations for appointments to the Band Court Representative position(s).
• Recommends to the Manager of the Child Welfare Department the employment, promotion, demotion, discipline and termination of staff.
• Supervises staff under the Manager of the Child Welfare Department.
• Conducts annual evaluations.
• Reports issues related to professional standards and performance.

Collaborative Practice:

• Provides day-to-day direction and guidance to staff under the Manager of the Child Welfare Department (Prevention & Band Court Representatives) and Legal Counsel for the delivery of services.
• Works closely with Pikwakanagan’s planning committees, programs and services to ensure quality program delivery.
• Participates on relevant boards, committees, and community development projects.
• Utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to ensure comprehensive Plans of Care.
• Consults with specialized services for case management as required and when directed.
• Coordinates case management conferences with AoPFN Child Welfare staff, Chief, Executive Director and multi-disciplinarians, as required to monitor and evaluate child, youth and family care and to ensure legal responsibilities are met.
• Collaborates with other community resources to ensure services are meeting the needs of the children, youth, families and other community members willing to provide customary care.
• Liaises with Family & Children Services and other external organizations.

Community Development:

• Identifies and prioritizes child welfare needs.
• Develops strategic plans and annualized work plans to be reviewed by Manager of the Child Welfare Department.
• Develops, directs and coordinates new child welfare initiatives under the direction of the Manager of the Child Welfare Department.
• Liaises and networks with community and other child and youth services for the integration of new and existing services.
• Participates on relevant boards, committees and all relevant meetings.
• Promotes community awareness of child welfare services.

Administrative:

• Develops and implements tools to ensure evidence-based reporting.
• Completes all administrative reporting requirements according to policies and funding agent mandates including Briefing Notes and Discussion Papers.
• Financial monitoring of specific expenditures as designated by the Manager of the Child Welfare Department.

Quality Management:

• Utilizes evidence-based reporting to evaluate annualized work plans.
• Participates in monthly staff meetings.
• Ensures Child Welfare staff receives cultural awareness and cultural sensitivity training.
• Identifies, coordinates and participates in staff development initiatives, conferences and training requirements specific to Band Court Representative and leadership development
• Ensures all licenses and certifications are current.
• Ensures that policies and procedures are developed and implemented in adherence to all relevant legislation and regulatory bodies.

Risk Management:

• Completes and updates a comprehensive risk management plan for the Child Welfare Department.
• Provides training on the risk management plan.
• Develops and implements protocols with Family & Children Services and other Emergency Services engaged with AoPFN members;
• Provides knowledge, awareness and promotion of AoPFN’s position and interests to the Courts, Family & Children Services and other organizations.
• Ensures the protection and privacy of all Child Welfare information and records.

Other:

• Performs other related duties as may be required by the Manager, Child Welfare.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work involves contact with clients, emergency services workers, child welfare agencies and court appearances; work is subject to deadlines and interruptions. Work involves handling and dealing with issues of a very sensitive and confidential nature.  Work involves travel and working 35 hours per week on a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends and being available for on-call after hours.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

• With the Manager of the Child Welfare Department:
  • Receives direction, guidance and encouragement; discusses plans and priorities.
• With Other staff:
  • Courteous and cooperative and works collaboratively as a team player.
• With Governmental Ministries and Agencies:
  • Represents and promotes the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation; maintains an awareness of all relevant policies and program changes.
• With Other Communities and Affiliated Indigenous Organizations:
  • Represents and promotes the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation; exchanges information using judgement and following the policies of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation; keeps informed of the changes and trends that can be beneficial to the First Nation.
• With the Public:
  • Represents and promotes the interests of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation through Nigig Nibi Ki-win Gamik; works in a courteous, cooperative, positive and proactive manner; provides information using judgement and following the policies of Nigig Nibi Ki-win Gamik; assists as required.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Basic Requirements:

• Bachelor of Social Work or a Bachelor degree in other field of study along with three years of work experience in the field; and
• Minimum of 1 year supervisory experience in the social work or social services field or an acceptable similar work environment
• Registered member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
• Experience working with First Nation people/groups an asset.

Rated Requirements:

• Knowledge:
  • Customary Care.
  • Knowledge and understanding of AoPFN’s interest in children, youth and families.
  • Child, Youth & Family Services Act (Ontario) and its application and proceedings involving First Nation members.
  • Social Work and Social Service Work Act, 1998 and its standards and applications involving social workers
• Abilities:
  • Interpret legislation and legal documents.
  • Research, investigate, analyze and evaluation skills.
  • Strong negotiation and advocacy skills and techniques.
  • Exceptional written skills i.e. Plans of Care, reports, documents, proposals etc.
  • Exceptional verbal skills i.e. presentations, facilitation, court appearances etc.
  • Strong computer skills with experience in the application of software, internet and email.
  • Financial monitoring of budgets
  • Facilitation, Coordination and Management skills in Alternative Dispute Resolutions, Circles of Care, Multi-Disciplinary Case Management Meetings, Family & Group Conferencing and Workshops; Experience an Asset.
  • Experience working with children, youth and families.
• Personal Suitability:
  • Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; demonstrates a high level of professionalism.
  • Able to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
  • Tact, discretion and a high level of confidentiality.
  • Possess initiative, self-motivation, reliable and thorough.
  • Sensitive to indigenous culture and values; promotes the culture and values and aspirations of AoPFN.
  • Resourceful and a problem solver.
  • Proactive and able to engage in a respectful, friendly and approachable manner.
  • Empathetic and compassionate.
  • A role model.
  • Must be able to travel and work flexible hours.

Conditions of Employment:

• Successful completion of the Band Court Representative Certificate Course within probation period.
• Provide an acceptable Vulnerable Sector Check; to be provided annually.
• CPR and First Aid Certification; to be provided annually.
• Proof of a minimum valid class “G” driver’s license and a clear driver’s abstract and access to a dependable vehicle.

IMPACT OF ERROR

Errors in judgment and in the conduct of duties could cause serious injury to clients, loss of credibility, liability and poor public relations. Errors in research and report development could lead to serious financial loss of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and/or Nigig Nibi Ki-win Gamik.

CONTROL MECHANISM

Works within policy parameters and administrative guidelines; general supervision by the Manager of the Child Welfare Department.

To submit an application, please reach out to Alexandra Freed, at employment@nigig.org.