Position Summary:  

Family Court Workers serve as a bridge, both between indigenous children, families and legal counsel and between children, families and child protection authorities. They also help clients and families to identify and access resources. The family court worker promotes awareness among justice officials about the values, languages, socio-economic conditions and concerns of the Aboriginal community, and about the perspectives of parents, families and children involved in child protection proceedings. 

Responsibilities:

• Attend court with or on behalf of clients, provide referrals or assistance with accessing legal representation.
• Interview, support and assist clients involved in family court matters and help them understand the court process, proceedings, legal information, child access, and parenting agreements.
• Review documentation (disclosure/affidavits) with the client to ensure that they understand their rights and responsibilities, consequences and options.
• Facilitate dialogue between the client and child protection services at the earliest possible stage.
• Assist with organizing circles, family group conferences, principle-based mediation and collaborative restorative justice and Aboriginal justice approaches as appropriate in an effort to resolve cases and support early case resolution.
• Provide information on family law and court processes including terminology, roles, responsibilities, participation and potential case outcomes.
• Assist clients to prepare to speak to court (Including swearing affidavits).
• Have a general understanding of the Child and Family Services Act.
• Maintain confidential and accurate case files and records.
• Provide referrals to legal, social, and community services.
• Assist the justice committees in identifying appropriate methods of intervention by utilizing knowledge of human behavior, and available community resources.
• Meet regularly with STC Justice staff, community justice workers and other agencies to exchange and share information related to programs and services.
• Participate in community engagement efforts related to justice and family wellness, including outreach, education sessions.
• Work alongside community stakeholders to identify and implement culturally relevant family intervention and prevention approaches.
• Collaborate with legal professionals, court staff, and social service agencies.
• Support clients in preparing for hearings, case managements, family mediations, including helping families understand legal forms and expectations.
• Attend court matters when required to do so.

Education and Experience:

• A post-secondary diploma or degree and/or combined experience from an accredited justice related program.
• One- year practical experience in the judicial system working within the Court process.
• Certification in Family Mediation, Victim Offender Mediation, Resolving Conflict Constructively and/or Court Worker training.

Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities: 

• Must be knowledgeable and have an interest in the Canadian Justice System, child and Family Services with regards to First Nation/Aboriginal Justice reform.
• Knowledge of community resources within the city of Saskatoon.
• Ability to advocate for youth and their families.
• Ability to engage and work with both youth and adults.
• Effective presentation and/or public speaking skills.
• Ability to prepare written reports.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal. Proper Court etiquette.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Proficient knowledge of computers, MS office and database software.
• The ability to work independently with strong organizational skills.
• Proficiency working in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint with an ability to easily learn new software applications. 
• Knowledge and Respect for First Nations culture, traditions and values.
• Experience working within a governance structure in a community development capacity with First Nations is considered an asset. 

Other Work Conditions: 

• Must possess a valid Saskatchewan driver’s license, a reliable vehicle and meet STC’s insurance requirements.
• Must provide a current, original, Canadian Criminal Record Check (CCRC) with vulnerable sector search as a condition of employment.

Please apply by visiting the STC Website: www.sktc.sk.ca