Child & Family Services Manager
Okanagan Indian Band
KʷU KʷLIW̓T L̓ NQMAPLQS | WE LIVE AT HEAD OF THE LAKE Located within the unceded territory of the syilx people, the Okanagan Indian Band is comprised of six reserves located in the North Okanagan. Come join the OKIB Team and enjoy all that the beautiful Okanagan Valley has to offer, including a great climate, stunning scenery, world-class ski resorts, golf courses, wineries and beaches. soc
The OKIB offers a welcoming team environment and a rewarding job experience. You can expect a supportive work environment and a total compensation package which includes: - 3 Weeks’ Vacation Pay
- Extended Health and Dental Benefits
- Employer Matched Pension Plan
- 15 Statutory Holidays
- Paid Winter Holiday Break
- Cultural Leave
- Discounted Silver Star lift passes
- Retention Bonuses after years of service
- 15 Paid Sick Days
- Paid Personal Leave
- Employee Assistance Program
- Professional Development Opportunities
Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week Start Date: ASAP Deadline for applications: September 25, 2026JOB SUMMARYThe Child and Family Services (CFS) Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) Child and Family Services Department. The Manager ensures that services for children, youth and families are culturally grounded, prevention-focused, trauma-informed, family-centered and responsive to community needs, with a strong emphasis on family preservation, safety, wellbeing, cultural identity and connection to family and community.
The position is primarily a management, quality assurance and systems-oversight role. The Manager is not expected to routinely carry a frontline caseload; however, they must be prepared to provide case consultation, direct advocacy, crisis leadership or temporary operational coverage in complex, high-risk or urgent circumstances.
REPORTING STRUCTURE Reports to the Director of Operations.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESStrategic Leadership, Planning and Jurisdiction- Provide clear strategic and operational direction for all CFS programs, services and staff in alignment with OKIB priorities, Syilx values and the approved organizational plan.
- Develop and maintain annual departmental work plans, service objectives, performance measures and operational priorities; monitor progress and report on results.
- Support OKIB leadership and community processes related to Indigenous child and family services jurisdiction, prevention, family preservation and implementation of the federal Indigenous child and family services legislation.
- Identify service gaps, emerging community needs and systemic barriers, and bring forward practical recommendations, resource requirements and implementation plans.
- Develop, review and implement departmental policies, procedures, practice standards, protocols and service pathways that strengthen consistency, accountability and culturally safe service delivery.
Program Delivery, Case Oversight & Quality Assurance- Oversee prevention, family strengthening, youth services, peer support, advocacy and related CFS programming to ensure services are coordinated, accessible and responsive to children, youth and families.
- Establish and monitor standards for intake, assessment, referrals, case planning, service plans, documentation, case closure, file maintenance and follow-up.
- Provide leadership and consultation on complex, sensitive or high-risk child and family matters, including case conferences, safety concerns, family preservation, reunification, kinship and culturally connected care planning.
People Leadership & Team Development- Supervise, coach and support Team Leads and other direct reports; ensure clear expectations, accountability, regular one-to-one meetings and timely performance feedback.
- Promote a respectful, culturally safe, trauma-informed and psychologically supportive work environment that recognizes the demanding nature of child and family services.
Financial Management, Funding & Administration- Develop and manage the annual CFS operating budget, forecasts and spending plans in accordance with OKIB financial policies and approved funding agreements.
- Monitor expenditures, commitments, contracts and program costs; take timely corrective action when financial or funding risks are identified.
- Prepare or oversee funding proposals, work plans, claims, financial reports, narrative reports and other submissions required by funders.
- Ensure compliance with ISC, MCFD and other applicable funding terms, program authorities, reporting requirements and audit expectations.
Advocacy, Partnerships & Intergovernmental Relations- Serve as the primary operational representative for OKIB CFS in meetings with MCFD, ISC, Indigenous child and family service organizations, service agencies, schools, health providers, justice partners and other external organizations.
- Advocate for the rights, safety, cultural identity, family connections and best interests of OKIB children and families within applicable legal and policy frameworks.
- Support First Nation representative and advocacy functions in child welfare matters, including notices, planning meetings, court-related processes and service coordination where applicable.
- Engage legal counsel and senior leadership when matters create significant legal, safety, financial, reputational or jurisdictional risk.
Cultural & Community Integration- Ensure CFS programs and practices reflect Syilx values, cultural teachings, family and kinship systems, community strengths and the importance of maintaining children’s connection to family, Nation, land, language and culture.
- Build respectful relationships with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, families, caregivers and community members and incorporate appropriate guidance into program planning and service delivery.
Crisis Response, Risk Management & Compliance- Ensure the department maintains clear crisis response, escalation, after-hours and continuity protocols. Participate in an on-call or after-hours management rotation when operationally required.
- Provide leadership during urgent or high-risk situations and ensure immediate safety concerns, critical incidents, threats or other serious matters are appropriately documented, escalated and addressed.
Additional Duties- Participate in community events, meetings and cultural activities as appropriate to the role.
- Maintain professional boundaries, sound judgment and confidentiality when working with sensitive family and child welfare information.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FORYou have education, experience, or an equivalent combination may be considered. You are community-minded, detail-oriented, have a willingness to contribute to a team and an excellent communicator.
Education- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, Indigenous Human Services, Human Services, Psychology, Counselling or a closely related field. A master’s degree is an asset.
- Current First Aid/CPR certificate or willing to obtain
- Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s licence, and reliable transportation with the ability to travel as required
- Satisfactory criminal records check with vulnerable sector clearance
Experience- Minimum five (5) years’ progressively responsible experience in child and family services, child welfare, family wellness, Indigenous social services, youth services or a closely related human services environment.
- Minimum three (3) years’ demonstrated supervisory or management experience, preferably leading a multidisciplinary team in a First Nation, Indigenous organization or comparable community-based service environment.
- Demonstrated experience with program planning, case oversight, quality assurance, policy development, staff supervision and complex or high-risk service situations.
- Experience developing and managing budgets, funding agreements, proposals, reporting requirements and contracts.
- Experience working collaboratively with MCFD, ISC, Indigenous child and family service organizations, legal counsel and community service partners is strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting Indigenous child welfare jurisdiction, prevention-based reform or implementation of the federal Indigenous child and family services legislation is a strong asset.
- Demonstrated experience working respectfully and effectively with First Nations communities is required; knowledge of Syilx/Okanagan culture, traditions, community and language is a strong asset.
Competencies (KSAs & Desired Attributes)- Strong people leadership, coaching, supervision and team-building skills.
- Sound judgment and the ability to make timely, defensible decisions in complex, emotionally charged and high-risk situations.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, advocacy, conflict resolution, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- Strong financial, administrative, analytical, planning and organizational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
- Demonstrated cultural humility, integrity, discretion, empathy, accountability and respect for community knowledge and family voice.
- Ability to maintain calm, professionalism and objectivity when faced with conflict, crisis, trauma, hostility or competing expectations.
- Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare professional reports, briefing notes, funding submissions, policies and correspondence.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and relevant case management, records or data systems.
DIRECT REPORTSFamily Strengthening Team Lead, Youth Services Team Lead, Team Assistant, and other positions assigned under the approved organizational structure.
CLASSIFICATION/PAY SCALE $41.00 - $59.00 per hour dependant upon education and experience.
Please send resume, cover letter and references in any one of two ways:
Email: recruiting@okanagan.orgMail or drop off: 12420 Westside Road, Vernon, BC V1H 2A4
If you have accessibility needs, please contact Hollie Lachuk @ 250-542-4328 ext. 1011 The successful applicant will be required to provide a Criminal Record Check that includes the vulnerable sector and three references Preference will be given to qualified Aboriginal Applicants as per section 41 of the Human Rights Code.
