Position: Community Family Worker
Reports to: Mental Health Manager
Status: Full-Time (Permanent)
Hours: 35 hours per week (requires a minimum of 2 evenings per week)
Location: Ottawa
Start Date: August 2026
Pay Scale: $29.00 – $35.00
Benefits include:
3 weeks paid time off
Comprehensive health and dental benefits, and employer RRSP matching contributions
Deadline: July 31st, 2026
POSITION SUMMARY
Britannia Woods Community Services is seeking a dedicated Bilingual Community Family Worker to join our team. This role is rooted in an anti-oppressive and equity-based framework, focused on walking alongside Black children, youth, and their families to navigate systemic barriers, promote holistic mental and emotional wellness, and build on their existing strengths.
Under the direction of our Mental Health Manager, the Community Family Worker will provide holistic, community-centered support by assessing the hardships impacting families’ lives and delivering personalized interventions. Your work will include advocacy, case management, crisis counseling, group facilitation, and mentorship, as well as active collaboration with other essential service providers.
A core component of this role involves facilitating the SNAP® (Stop Now and Plan) program. SNAP® is an evidence-based, cognitive-behavioural framework that helps children and their parents learn skills and understanding to manage and regulate emotions and behaviors effectively. In this role, you will use this model to support children in recognizing their own autonomy and innate abilities, while reducing conflict with peers, family, and authority figures. Additionally, you will help parents and families develop collective wellness to increase family functioning.
Successful candidates will be required to work flexible hours, including at minimum 2 evenings per week. In addition, they are required to connect with clients in locations that are more accessible to clients (i.e. the clients’ home, in community, in the school environment etc.).
If you are passionate about evidence-based programming, collective wellness, social justice, and community[1]led change, we invite you to apply and help us foster resilience within our neighborhoods and city-wide.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Identifies and assesses child and family strengths and needs, including risk identification, according to program standards.
- Develops collaborative wellness and support plans in conjunction with the family to address goals and risk management.
- Provides comprehensive case management, care coordination, and supportive counseling for clients.
- Provides family and group counseling with parents and children.
- Liaises, consults, and collaborates effectively with other service providers (e.g., schools) and makes appropriate use of community resources.
- Acts as a strong advocate for families within the school, health, and child welfare systems
- Supports clients in navigating complex societal and health systems.
- Implements the SNAP® therapeutic model guided by a CBT framework, incorporating additional culturally appropriate therapeutic modalities as required.
- Follows program guidelines regarding confidentiality, case notes, report writing, and mandatory record keeping.
- Participates in quality assurance, evaluation, data collection, and research activities.
- Carries out thoughtful discharge and transition planning with families.
- Provides engaging group facilitation and mentorship.
- Actively participates in and utilizes ongoing clinical supervision.
- Represents the agency in a positive manner, promoting public relations by interpreting agency services to other organizations and community groups, and participating in community recruitment activities.
- Works flexible hours to meet the needs of families, including a minimum of 2 evenings a week.
- Assumes other related responsibilities as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Social Service Worker (SSW) diploma, or a degree/diploma in a related social science field (e.g., counseling, psychology, child and youth care).
- Professional Registration: Must be a member in good standing with a regulated college (e.g., OCSWSSW, CRPO) or eligible for registration.
- Community Experience: Knowledge of and experience working alongside racialized children, youth, and families who navigate systemic barriers, poverty, discrimination, and challenges within the education system.
- Community-Based Experience: 2–3 years of experience working within grassroots, community[1]led, or equity-seeking environments.
- Cultural Knowledge: Deep knowledge of, connection to, and/or lived experience within the diverse Black communities and low-income communities in Ottawa is highly valued.
- Group Facilitation: Proven experience developing and facilitating supportive groups focused on emotional well-being, behavioral regulation, systemic disparities and collective wellness.
- Communication: Excellent interpersonal, collaborative communication, and clinical documentation skills.
- Languages: Bilingualism (English and French) is required. Fluency in other languages commonly spoken within Ottawa’s Black communities (such as Somali, Lingala, Arabic, or Creole) is an asset.
- Technical Skills: Strong computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and data-logging systems.
- Mobility: A valid driver’s license and regular access to a reliable vehicle are required for community-based visits.
WHAT WE OFFER
BWCS is a vibrant workplace offering opportunities for professional growth and development in a supportive environment. As part of our team, you will make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families, helping them access vital resources and achieve positive outcomes. If you are committed to equity, innovation, and culturally responsive care, we invite you to join our mission to create healthier, more resilient communities.
APPLICATION PROCESS
We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage all interested candidates to submit a resume and cover letter by email to careers@britanniawoods.com.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
If you require accessibility accommodation during this process, please email careers@britanniawoods.com and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met.