Wellness Lead – Social Worker

Doig River First Nation; British Columbia; On-site; CAD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Doig River First Nation seeks a Wellness Lead – Social Worker to provide professional leadership to its Wellness team while maintaining an active social work practice. The role oversees program development and evaluation and advocates for Indigenous rights.

Reporting to the Health Director, you will supervise staff, coordinate complex cases, and collaborate across child and family service systems while engaging in travel and community work. Annual salary ranges from CAD 95,000 to CAD 105,000.

Qualifications

• Education: BSW or MSW from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 5 years progressive social work experience and at least 3 years supervising staff.
• Experience in community-based social work, case management, counselling, advocacy, family support, or service coordination.
• Experience working with MCFD and/or Indigenous child and family service systems is strongly preferred.
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating community-based programs; funding applications and grant development experience is an asset.
• Experience in a First Nation, Indigenous organization, or rural/remote community; knowledge of Dane-zaa culture strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of Bill C-92, BC’s Child, Family and Community Service Act, Indigenous rights, Treaty 8, and relevant Indigenous child and family wellbeing frameworks.
• Current registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW), or eligibility for registration.
• First Aid certification or willingness to obtain, valid Class 5 driver’s licence with acceptable abstract, Vulnerable Sector Screening, ability to travel, and flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership to the Wellness team while maintaining active social work practice.
• Supervise and develop staff, guide complex case coordination, and oversee development and evaluation of Wellness programs.
• Work across child and family service systems, interpreting legislation and advocating for DRFN’s interests and authority.
• Office-based work with community meetings and occasional travel.
• Engage with multiple systems (education, justice, health, social services) on DRFN matters for children, youth, and families.

Skills

Staff supervision

Case management

Counselling

Advocacy

Program development

Grant development

Indigenous community experience

Education

MSW or BSW (accredited)

Job description

Bring professional social work leadership and a strong understanding of Indigenous child and family systems to a role where practice, advocacy, and Nation-based decision-making intersect.

Doig River First Nation (DRFN) is a Dane-zaa community in northeastern British Columbia with a strong connection to its culture, traditions, and Treaty 8 rights. The Nation continues to advance approaches to community wellbeing that recognize the importance of Indigenous authority, cultural continuity, and the needs and priorities of its members.

DRFN is seeking a Wellness Lead – Social Worker to provide professional leadership to its Wellness team while maintaining an active social work practice. Reporting to the Health Director, the successful candidate will supervise and develop staff, guide complex case coordination, provide professional social work services, and oversee the development and evaluation of Wellness programs. A significant part of the role involves working across child and family service systems, interpreting relevant legislation, and advocating for DRFN’s interests and authority in matters affecting children, youth, and families. The role involves office-based work, meetings with community members, and occasional travel.

Why This Role Stands Out?

• Put Indigenous Jurisdiction into Practice: Work at the intersection of social work and Indigenous rights, applying knowledge of Bill C-92, BC child and family legislation, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and Treaty 8.
• Balance Professional Practice with Team Leadership: Maintain a hands-on social work role while supervising staff, managing caseloads, providing performance feedback, and supporting professional development.
• Influence How Wellness Services Are Delivered: Lead the development, monitoring, and evaluation of programs while helping establish the policies, protocols, and referral pathways that guide consistent service delivery.
• Work at the Intersection of Multiple Systems: Engage with child and family service authorities, education, justice, health, and social service organizations on matters affecting DRFN members.
• Turn Service Gaps Into Action: Identify unmet needs and contribute to new initiatives, funding proposals, grant applications, program budgets, and workplans that support the Wellness team’s priorities.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution.
• Professional Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive social work experience and at least three years supervising, mentoring, or leading staff.
• Social Work Practice: Experience in community-based social work, case management, counselling, advocacy, family support, or service coordination.
• Child & Family Systems: Experience working with MCFD and/or Indigenous child and family service systems is strongly preferred.
• Program Development: Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating community-based programs; funding applications and grant development experience is an asset.
• Indigenous Community Experience: Experience in a First Nation, Indigenous organization, or rural or remote community is an asset, with knowledge of Dane-zaa culture and community priorities strongly preferred.
• Legislation & Rights: Knowledge of Bill C-92, BC’s Child, Family and Community Service Act, Indigenous rights, Treaty 8, and relevant Indigenous child and family wellbeing frameworks.
• Professional Registration: Current registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW), or eligibility for registration where applicable to the assigned scope of practice.
• Additional Requirements: First Aid certification or willingness to obtain, valid Class 5 driver’s licence with acceptable abstract, Vulnerable Sector Screening, ability to travel, and flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required.

Compensation:

• The position offers an annual salary of $95,000–$105,000.
• The position requires a personal vehicle, with travel reimbursed at $0.70 per kilometre.

We welcome applications from qualified candidates and invite you to submit your resume in confidence. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Maxwell Management Group Ltd. and Doig River First Nation are committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace. We respect and celebrate diversity and are dedicated to providing a barrier-free recruitment experience.

Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all stages of the selection process.