Family-Centred Community Developer

Development Corp; Muncey; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits for permanent employees

Employer-matched pension plan

EAP program

Holiday closure over Christmas/NewYear

Job summary

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation in Muncey, ON is seeking a Family-Centred Community Developer to advance child-centred governance by working directly with families and extended families. The role strengthens knowledge, language, culture and natural supports to promote child and family wellbeing.

The successful candidate will conduct home visits and gatherings, facilitate family-led conversations, document strengths, and liaise with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to ensure respectful,

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Indigenous Studies, Community Development, Social Sciences, Social Services, or a related field.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in family engagement, community development, facilitation, prevention, cultural programming, or related work.
• Experience building trusting relationships with Indigenous families, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members.
• Experience facilitating respectful conversations and documenting community or family knowledge.
• Knowledge of strength-based, relationship-based, and family-centred approaches.
• Understanding of Indigenous culture, family systems, community development, and Child-Centric Governance principles.

Responsibilities

• Build respectful and trusting relationships with families and extended families through home visits, gatherings, circles, and other family-preferred approaches.
• Facilitate family-led discussions that explore family strengths, responsibilities, and systems of care through Knowing, Being, and Doing.
• Support families in identifying natural supports, strengths, and intergenerational relationships that contribute to wellbeing.
• Listen for and respectfully document family-identified roles such as Natural Helper, Natural Mediator, Natural Advocate, Natural Orator, and Language Keeper.
• Gather family stories, teachings, experiences, and strengths with appropriate consent.
• Support families in identifying how language, culture, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Doodem relationships, land-based practices, and ceremony contribute to wellness and belonging.
• Collaborate with the Quality Assurance Specialist to organize and synthesize family knowledge while protecting confidentiality and family ownership of information.
• Seek guidance from Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and families to ensure cultural teachings and practices are represented respectfully.
• Bring forward recurring family strengths, priorities, and opportunities to inform community development, prevention initiatives, policy development, and service planning.
• Support meaningful engagement of members living away from the First Nation through accessible and family-directed approaches.
• Assist with family gatherings, community learning opportunities, and activities that strengthen culture, language, and intergenerational relationships.
• Maintain accurate records of engagement activities, follow-up commitments, and family-directed next steps.

Education

Indigenous Studies / Community Development related field

Social Sciences / Social Services related field

Job description

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation is accepting applicants for the position of:

Position Title: Family-Centred Community Developer

Department: Administration

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week working onsite 8:30am – 4:30pm (Flexibility to work evenings and weekends)

Location: 320 Chippewa Road, Muncey ON

Posting Date: October 19, 2026

Posting Closes: November 9, 2026

Summary

The Family-Centred Community Developer advances Chippewas of the Thames First Nation’s Child-Centric Governance approach by working directly with families and extended families from a strength-based, relationship-focused perspective. The role supports families in identifying and strengthening the knowledge, relationships, customs, teachings, language, and natural systems of care that promote child and family wellbeing.

Working closely with families both on and off reserve, the successful candidate will build trusting relationships, facilitate family-led conversations, document family strengths and knowledge, and support the inclusion of Anishinaabe teachings, culture, language, and family connections in community development and governance initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Build respectful and trusting relationships with families and extended families through home visits, gatherings, circles, and other family-preferred approaches.
• Facilitate family-led discussions that explore family strengths, responsibilities, and systems of care through Knowing, Being, and Doing.
• Support families in identifying natural supports, strengths, and intergenerational relationships that contribute to wellbeing.
• Listen for and respectfully document family-identified roles such as Natural Helper, Natural Mediator, Natural Advocate, Natural Orator, and Language Keeper.
• Gather family stories, teachings, experiences, and strengths with appropriate consent.
• Support families in identifying how language, culture, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Doodem relationships, land-based practices, and ceremony contribute to wellness and belonging.
• Collaborate with the Quality Assurance Specialist to organize and synthesize family knowledge while protecting confidentiality and family ownership of information.
• Seek guidance from Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and families to ensure cultural teachings and practices are represented respectfully.
• Bring forward recurring family strengths, priorities, and opportunities to inform community development, prevention initiatives, policy development, and service planning.
• Support meaningful engagement of members living away from the First Nation through accessible and family-directed approaches.
• Assist with family gatherings, community learning opportunities, and activities that strengthen culture, language, and intergenerational relationships.
• Maintain accurate records of engagement activities, follow-up commitments, and family-directed next steps.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Indigenous Studies, Community Development, Social Sciences, Social Services, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, lived experience, and community knowledge.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in family engagement, community development, facilitation, prevention, cultural programming, or related work.
• Experience building trusting relationships with Indigenous families, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members.
• Experience facilitating respectful conversations and documenting community or family knowledge.
• Knowledge of strength-based, relationship-based, and family-centred approaches.
• Understanding of Indigenous culture, family systems, community development, and Child-Centric Governance principles.

What Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Has to Offer

• Comprehensive benefits for permanent employees, supporting health, dental, and overall well-being.
• Employer-matched pension plan to help build long-term financial security.
• Access to a confidential Family Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support mental, emotional, and family wellness.
• Two-week holiday closure over Christmas and New Year’s, providing dedicated time to rest and recharge with family and community.

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation gives hiring preference to qualified Indigenous applicants, with first preference given to qualified Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Band Members. Applicants who wish to be considered under this preference are encouraged to self-identify in their application.

We thank all candidates for applying; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Accommodations are available on request (by email to [e-mail]) for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

As a federally regulated employer, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation is not required to include compensation ranges in job postings. Depending on the nature of the recruitment and the position, we may choose to share salary or pay band information in the posting or during the early stages of the process. Compensation is always discussed with candidates during recruitment to ensure clarity and alignment with their expectations and experience.