Provide intensive in-home and community-based family preservation treatment to reduce the risk of harm to children and avoid out-of-home placements. Conduct individual and group counselling sessions using therapeutic frameworks to support Indigenous families in achieving stability and cultural connection.
Requirements summary
Requires an undergraduate degree in human services or equivalent cultural experience, along with at least 3 years of experience working with Indigenous children and families. Must possess a valid BC Class 5 Driver's License and a working knowledge of the Child, Family & Community Services Act.
“What we do together…our H.E.A.R.T is our difference.”
Do you have a genuine passion in promoting the values of Indigenous culture working with and for Indigenous children, youth, and families (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) while respecting their cultural diversity?
If so, consider joining our Xyólheméylh work family. We are a fully delegated Indigenous Child & Family Service Agency providing programs and services to Indigenous children, youth, and families on and off reserve within Stó:lō Territory in the Fraser Valley between Yale First Nation and Surrey BC.
Our programs and services are created and delivered with the support of our Elders Advisory Council with special attention on strengthening culture and identity, while honoring the strength of families.
We strive to work in a holistic way to keep families together and reintegrate children back with their families and extended families.
Our service delivery is done with an open heart and an open mind focusing on the best interest of the family while keeping children at the center.
We work to ensure children are connected to their family, and community while striving to ensure their inherent rights to heritage and identity are upheld in all we do.
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Family Preservation Counsellor - 1881
9- Month Term- Abbotsford
Family Preservation Youth Team
Salary- $73,106.79 to $92,392.52 per annum (35 hrs per week)
Position summary
Family Preservation Counsellors work within an integrated team environment to support families that are involved in child protection services.
The goal of the program is to reduce the risk of harm to the child instead of placing the child in an out of home placement. Services are designed to help families learn new problem-solving and coping skills, appropriate parent-child interaction, discipline, and behavior management, as well as develop longer term natural social supports with the goal of avoiding future crisis.
Xyólheméylh is proud to have an Elders Advisory Council to ensure that culture is embedded throughout the agency ensuring the goals, missions and values are upheld in a good way. Lets'emót – to be of one heart and one mind.
Education, experience & knowledge required
Undergraduate Degree with a focus on human services or related field; however significant cultural knowledge and a demonstrated ability to develop respectable relationships, with On-Reserve Indigenous communities, and equivalent personal experience may be accepted.
Benefits
Extended Health Benefits
Pension Program
A minimum 3 years’ experience working with Indigenous children and parents in a human services capacity within an Indigenous community or urban Indigenous community setting.
Working knowledge of the Child, Family & Community Services Act, and of child protection proceedings.
Demonstrated knowledge of the generational impacts of Colonization, and historical Child welfare practice on Indigenous people and their families.
Knowledge and ability in practices and traditions of Indigenous people.
A sound understanding of child management techniques and effective parenting techniques.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to establish trusting relationships to engage families in attaining established goals.
Ability to work collaboratively to provide service to the family with time and goal-oriented methodologies.
Ability to work from a solution-focused, strengths-based, perspective.
Provides services in a manner that supports and reflects positive cultural practices.
Effective written communication skills to meet recording and administrative requirements.
Maintain an attitude of caring, respect and optimism for their clients.
Effective group leadership and facilitation skills.
Ability to effectively manage conflict.
Maintain a clear differentiation between the professional and personal self.
Computer literacy on Microsoft Word, Excel and other computer software applications.
Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s License (no restrictions); reliable transportation with adequate vehicle insurance.
Criminal Records Check required.
Required to work flexible hours.
Major responsibilities & duties
Provides an intensive in-home and community-based family preservation treatment program.
Delivers services in the family’s natural environment when they are most receptive to learning. Family members, community and other supports are partners in assessing, goal setting, and treatment planning.
Plans, prepares and conducts individual, group or family counselling sessions using therapeutic techniques drawn from theoretical frameworks such as family systems, solutions-focused, narrative, psychodynamics.
Provides crisis intervention and ongoing assessment as required.
Casework can include, but is not limited to: improving the physical condition of the home, improving supervision of children, decreasing parental depression and/or alcohol and substance abuse, reducing child abuse and neglect, increasing positive parenting, reducing conflict and stress, increasing effective household routine, reducing child behavior problems, increasing positive culture identify, reducing the number of children requiring alternate care arrangements, reducing the rate of re-notification for children, and helping families’ access needed community supports and service.
Services are provided in a manner that respects and supports each family’s needs, strengths, lifestyle, and culture.
Confidentiality
FVACFSS employees are expected to be familiar with and must comply with the expectations of confidentiality as outlined in the Agency’s Human Resources Policy Manual and other policies and operational manuals, AOPSI and the B.C. Child, Family and Community Services Act.
We are pleased to offer employer paid Extended Health benefits and enjoy participating in our attractive pension program with the Public Service Pension Plan.
*Preference may be given to Indigenous candidates as per Section 41 of the Human Rights Code.
This position is open to internal and external candidates
Applications will be accepted until 4: 30pm PST on
Wednesday, June 17th, 2026
Current employees of Xyólheméylh must apply for this position using the Internal Job Posting portal in ADP, with Xyólheméylh login credentials.
