Child Safety Manager at Scw’exmx… · Merritt

CLOSING DATE: June 10, 2026 at noon

This position is scheduled on an alternating, compressed 4-day work week. The successful candidate must be able to work a rotating schedule in alignment with operational requirements.

POSITION SUMMARY

Scw’exmx Child and Family Services Society (SCFSS) is seeking an experienced, values‑driven, and culturally grounded leader to serve as the Child Safety Manager.

Reporting to the Director of Delegated Services, the Child Safety Manager provides operational leadership and oversight for child protection intake, screening, and family services within the Delegated Services Program. This role ensures child safety responses are timely, coordinated, and aligned with the Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA) while advancing SCFSS’s strategic shift from protection to prevention.

The Child Safety Manager works closely with Team Leaders, Social Workers, the Quality Assurance Advisor, and internal partners to support ethical, culturally grounded, and compliant child safety decision‑making. The role contributes to Culture of Caring, Protection to Prevention, and Infrastructure Alignment by strengthening internal systems, supporting staff well‑being, and promoting family‑centred, community‑led approaches wherever safe and appropriate.

OVERVIEW OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide operational leadership and oversight for intake, screening, and family service functions to ensure timely, proportionate, and culturally grounded child safety responses.
• Ensure child safety practice aligns with CFCSA, delegated service requirements, MCFD policy, and SCFSS operational and strategic direction.
• Support and oversee safety and risk assessment processes, including mitigation planning, high‑risk decision‑making, and appropriate escalation.
• Provide leadership, consultation, and coaching to Intake and Family Services Team Leaders to support consistent supervision, practice standards, and safe caseload distribution.
• Collaborate with Prevention Managers and Prevention Team Leaders to support coordinated service responses aligned with SCFSS’s shift from protection to prevention.
• Oversee integration across intake and family services to reduce unnecessary escalation into protection and promote continuity of service.
• Monitor workloads, service pressures, and emerging risks to prevent burnout, practice drift, or service gaps, and implement corrective actions as required.
• Collaborate with the Quality Assurance Advisor to address compliance findings, strengthen documentation practices, and support delegation requirements.
• Foster respectful, collaborative relationships with Member Communities, Elders, cultural advisors, and community partners to support culturally safe, community‑informed child safety practice.
• Contribute to operational planning, reporting, and system improvement initiatives in collaboration with the Director of Delegated Services.
• Promote adherence to SCFSS policies, procedures, Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S), and emergency management protocols.
• Model trauma‑informed, ethical, and relational leadership that supports staff well‑being and professional accountability.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Strong working knowledge of child protection, intake, and family services practice within a delegated services environment.
• Sensitivity to the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization, residential schools, and child welfare systems on Indigenous families and communities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and support staff working in high‑risk, trauma‑exposed environments.
• Strong leadership, communication, and conflict‑resolution skills, with the ability to guide complex decision‑making.
• Ability to manage competing operational pressures while maintaining consistency, accountability, and cultural safety.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and documentation skills.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a clear Criminal Record Check and Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) Prior Contact Check.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License and provide a current driver’s abstract.
• Availability to participate in after‑hours consultation, standby, or on‑call responsibilities as required by delegated services operations.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) or a related human services discipline is required.
• Master of Social Work (MSW) or graduate‑level education is considered an asset.
• Registration, or eligibility for registration, with the British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW) is preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in child protection, delegated services, or family services, including experience in intake, investigation, and ongoing family service practice.
• Current C6 Delegation is preferred. Candidates who do not currently hold C6 Delegation must be eligible and willing to obtain and maintain it within a specified timeframe, as required for delegated child protection leadership.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in a leadership, supervisory, or management role within a child and family services environment.
• Demonstrated experience working within or alongside Indigenous child and family services organizations or community‑led service models.
• Strong working knowledge of CFCSA, MCFD child protection policy, and delegation frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous caregivers, families, and communities using culturally informed, strengths‑based, and relational approaches.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, community partners, and service providers to support coordinated family services is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge and professional or personal practice of nłeʔkepmx and syilx traditional values, cultural practices, and protocols is an asset

MINIMUM REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Indigenous Knowledge: applied knowledge of nłeʔkepmx and syilx traditional values, protocols, culture and language; sensitivity to the historical and systemic impacts on Indigenous families and communities from intergenerational trauma
• Critical Thinking: analytical, methodical, fact-based decision-making, with a capacity for creative problem solving, and considering diverse perspectives
• Business and Strategic Acumen: proficient in business and strategic concepts in application to SCFSS
• Communication: facilitation and presentation skills, professional business writing, and ability to communicate clearly and confidently with diverse audiences
• Motivation: self-motivated, capable of effectively motivating others and, high productivity
• Time Management: highly organized, ability to prioritize tasks, manage deadlines, delegate responsibilities and coordinate multiple tasks to achieve goals
• Conflict Resolution: anticipates, diffuses, and resolves conflicts while fostering a positive work environment