Family-Centred Community Developer

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

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Comprehensive benefits for permanent employees, supporting health,…