Wellness Lead

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.