Cultural Preservation Coordinator – Metis Nation British Columbia

Métis Nation British Columbia

Cultural Preservation Coordinator

#23-068
Ministry of Children and Families

Position: Permanent Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)
Location: Hybrid/Provincial office – Station Tower (13401 – 108th Avenue, Surrey)
Closes:  Posting will remain open until filled and will close without notice
Classification: Coordinator 1                   
Salary Range: $55,000 – $65,000 annually

ABOUT MÉTIS NATION BRITISH COLUMBIA:
Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) develops and enhances opportunities for our Métis communities by implementing culturally relevant social and economic programs and services. Through teamwork, respect, dedication, accountability, integrity, and professionalism, MNBC strives to build a proud, self-governing, sustainable Nation  in recognition  of inherent rights for our Métis citizens, assisting in the delivery of services based on policy, process, and specified regulations.

MNBC’s KAA-WIICHIHITOYAAHK (We take care of each other) Initiatives offers employees a competitive total compensation package including:

• comprehensive group benefit package or health-care spending account and enrollment in the Municipal Pension Plan
• 15 paid days per year for statutory and
• cultural days (Indigenous Peoples Day, Truth and Reconciliation Day, & Louis Riel Day)
• carpool, parking & public transit subsidies (Provincial Office only)
• educational spending account and professional development allowances to provide annual funding to continue lifelong learning and skills upgrade.
• remote workplace supports.
• internal advancement & redeployment opportunities

 
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY 
We are seeking a highly motivated, team-orientated individual to join our Ministry of Children and Families team as a Cultural Preservation Coordinator. Reporting to the Children and Families Program Manager, the primary purpose of the Cultural Preservation Coordinator is to ensure that Métis children and youth are connected to their culture and community regardless of where they reside. This position will work to strengthen Métis children, youth and family’s positive self-identity as Métis people, while addressing the harmful effects of colonialism within the child welfare system.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide culturally safe and trauma informed care plans to Métis children, youth and their families who have been directly or indirectly impacted by the child welfare system.
• Engage with Métis Chartered Communities regarding their specific cultural and family preservation needs and priorities as it relates to the ongoing harms of the child welfare system.
• Foster a practice of cooperative effort and collaborative problem-solving around issues related to mitigating the harms of colonialism and improving Métis children, youth and family’s connections to their culture and communities.
• Work to create a better understanding of the Métis experience in BC, with a particular focus on Métis people’s experiences within the child welfare system and colonial harms as it relates to assimilation and a suppression of Métis culture.
• Leading and facilitating sharing circles with Métis families and kinship care providers, both in-person and on-line.
• Responds to phone calls or virtual visits, develops, and implements responses, and determines Métis children, youth and family’s cultural needs for follow-up and resources for support.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team setting alongside social workers, foster parents, adoptive parents, Métis families and their support network to ensure that Métis children and youth involved in the child welfare system are supported in a culturally safe way.
• Foster a practice of cooperative effort and collaborative problem-solving around issues relating to improving non-Métis foster and adoptive parents understanding of Métis people and culture.
• Support the Program Manager in working with relevant stakeholders, government, and Indigenous rights-holders to build relationships and to advocate for Métis families through related committees, working groups, and advisory council meetings.
• Planning and coordinating meetings, and events, as required.
• Engage in practices (such as leading sharing circles, conducting interviews, and writing reports) to support the development of Métis kinship connections programming.
• Prepare reports, collect information, and contribute to strategic planning.
• Carry out various administrative tasks, as required.
• Ability to travel, as this may be required to engage Métis Chartered Communities and to attend stakeholder meetings.
• Work effectively in a small team to support a broad portfolio and large projects.

 
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Completion of a recognized Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) or degree in Community Social Services with a relevant combination of experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in Indigenous Social Work, child welfare, education, social services, or related setting.
• Current registration with BC College of Social Workers as a Registered Social Worker (RSW)
• Knowledge and/or awareness of the historical and contemporary contributions made by Métis people in B.C.
• Prior experience working or volunteering for an Indigenous organization/program that includes interacting and developing relationships with Indigenous people and Indigenous communities.
• Has a clear understanding of Métis values and beliefs and how they are essential to the health and wellbeing of Métis families.
• Experience in facilitation is an asset.
• Governmental and project management experience is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work with minimal supervision.
• Proven ability to utilize, adapt and embrace new technologies, including Word, Excel and other database/software required by the role.

 
OTHER COMMENTS

• Other duties may be assigned as needed to help ensure the efficient operation of MNBC.
• There will be a need to attend meetings and events which may require work and travel outside of normal business hours.
• Ability to provide a satisfactory Criminal Record Check.

 
The above requirements are what MNBC is seeking in the ideal incumbent at the time of posting and are subject to change based on needs.  
Pursuant to section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference may be given to applicants who self-identify  as Indigenous (First Nation, Métis or Inuit). All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
 
PLEASE NOTE THAT CANDIDATES MUST APPLY using “Cultural Preservation Coordinator – #23-068” in the subject line of the email. Please send your resume and cover letter to:
 
Corinne Thunderchild
Family Programs Manager – Ministry of Children & Families
Métis Nation British Columbia
Email:  cthunderchild@mnbc.ca