Who We Are

The Mikisew Cree First Nation (Mikisew) has lived on the ancestral lands of the Athabasca Delta and Wood Buffalo National Park in northeastern Alberta since time immemorial. The lives of our members are linked to the land and to a close understanding of traditions, history and a natural way of life. Many of our members live in the hamlet of Fort Chipewyan, and our traditional lands range over a large portion of Athabasca oil sands deposits.

Who You Are

The Foster Care/Kinship Support Worker provides essential services and support to children in foster care or kinship care placements. This includes regular visits, assessments, and support for both children and caregivers, helping to ensure that childrens needs are met while also providing guidance and assistance to foster/kinship families. This position will involve collaboration with social workers, community resources, and families to promote healthy and safe environments for children in care.

This position is in Fort McMurray, AB.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Promote and support the recruitment of new foster/kinship families through community outreach, informational sessions, and events.
• Complete all the necessary paperwork for opening of new foster and kinship homes
• Conduct regular visits with children in foster or kinship placements to assess their physical, emotional, and social well-being.
• Offer ongoing emotional support, guidance, and practical assistance to foster and kinship families to help them meet the needs of the child.
• Provide training and resources to foster/kinship caregivers on topics such as trauma-informed care, child development, and managing behavioral challenges.
• Help caregivers navigate the foster care system, including understanding their rights and responsibilities, legal processes, and available support resources.
• Organize and lead regular meetings with foster/kinship families to address concerns and discuss the progress of the childs placement.
• Work closely with social workers, child intervention professionals, and other service providers to develop and monitor individual care plans for children.
• Complete documentation related to case management, including progress reports, assessments, and case notes.
• Respond to and manage any crises or emergencies in foster/kinship placements, ensuring the safety of children.
• Identify risks or potential challenges in placements and work with families and agencies to mitigate these issues.
• Assist foster/kinship families in connecting with community resources such as parenting classes, support groups, and mental health services.
• Promote and support the recruitment of new foster/kinship families through community outreach, informational sessions, and events.
• Collaborate with community partners to provide additional services for children and caregivers.
• All other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in social work, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience in child intervention or working with children and families, particularly in a foster care or kinship care setting.
• Knowledge of child development, trauma-informed care, and the challenges faced by children in foster care.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and professionals.
• Experience working in Indigenous communities is an asset.
• Ability to speak Cree or Dene is an asset.
• Ability to manage multiple cases and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with relevant legislation, regulations, and best practices related to child intervention.
• Delegated or the ability to be delegated in the Province of Alberta

Other Requirements

• Ability to organize time, set priorities and multi-task to meet various timelines.
• Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector
• Drivers Licence and Clean Drivers Abstract
• Intervention Record Check
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, Teams and virtual meeting platforms.
• Possess exceptional judgement and always maintain high confidentiality in all interactions.
• Must be reliable and be prepared to work irregular hours depending on job demands.
• Must sign Oath of Confidentiality form.

Position is open until a suitable candidate is found. All applications will be reviewed, although only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Mikisew Cree First Nation is committed to equal opportunity employment and encourages applications from all qualified individuals. Final candidates for this position will be required to complete a security screening, which includes a criminal background check.

Kinanskomitin (Thank you) for your interest.