Director of Social Assistance
Application Deadline: 19 June 2026

Department: Administration

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Indian Brook, NS

Compensation: $90,000 - $105,000 / year

Description
Sipekne’katik is a community rooted in the traditions and history of its ancestors, taking pride in its Mi’kmaq culture, language and way of life. Sipekne’katik deeply values the diverse perspectives and experiences that strengthen their team and community.

Sipekne’katik is seeking a candidate with knowledge of and cultural sensitivity toward First Nations culture and our way of life; thus, preference will be provided to status Indigenous peoples with experience in social assistance services in a small and Indigenous community.

If accommodation to the recruitment process would help you present your full contribution potential, we would love to support you.

Sipekne’katik is a multi-generational Mi’kmaq community of over 3,000 members located in Hants County, Nova Scotia. Sipekne’katik is a close-knit community with a strong focus on education and health and a strong desire to advance economic development initiatives.

In 2013, the community (formerly known as Indian Brook or Shubenacadie First Nation) reclaimed its traditional Indigenous name, Sipekne’katik, meaning “where the wild potatoes grow.”

Sipekne’katik is one of the seven geographic districts and one of 13 First Nation Bands of Mi’kma’ki – the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. It includes approximately 1,400 hectares of land holdings, including 408.3 hectares in New Ross, 43.5 hectares in Pennal 19, 412 hectares in Shubenacadie, 55.7 hectares in Wallace Hills, 1,000 acres at Grand Lake (Shubenacadie Indian Reserve No. 13) and 690 acres of fee-simple land.

This Moment, This Position
Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Band Member and Community Services. The Director of Social Assistance leads a vital and complex department, providing strategic direction, leadership, and oversight for the Sipekne’katik Social Department.



The position exists to ensure social programs and services support clients in a respectful, secure, and effective manner while aligning with community priorities, funding requirements, legislative limitations, policies, procedures, and organizational goals.

The role focuses on strong leadership, accountable service delivery, program development, gentle change management, and continuous improvement to support client stability and reduce long-term dependence on social financial assistance where possible. Operating at a critical juncture for the Band, this individual will bring an Indigenous lens and a strong blend of policy, financial management, and social work experience to stabilize and reform the program while managing a multi-million-dollar file.

Department Leadership and Management

Supervise and guide the team, consisting of a Finance Clerk and four Social Client Support Workers

Establish a respectful, professional, and accountable department culture

Set clear expectations, approve work, and address performance issues in line with policy

Ensure staff are consistent, ethical, and client-focused

Provides budget input, monitors expenditures, and approves costs within authority

Ensures financial activity aligns with funding and policy requirements

Policy, Program, and Systems Development

Develop, recommend, and implement improvements to policies, procedures, and service delivery models

Lead development and evaluation of programs and strategies that support client independence, stability, and prosperity

Track outcomes, trends, and service gaps to inform decision-making and recommendations

Reporting, Compliance, and Accountability

Prepare and submit reports required by leadership, funders, and governing bodies

Ensure compliance with funding terms, program requirements,



and internal controls

Monitor department performance and service outcomes

Support audits, reviews, and evaluations as required

Client Protection and Risk Management

Ensure confidential client information is protected, secure, and accessed appropriately

Address complex or high-risk client situations with professional judgment

Ensure staff follow privacy, safety, and ethical standards

Respond to issues that present legal, reputational, or operational risk

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work, public administration, or equivalent social services discipline. Registration or eligibility for registration as a social worker is considered a strong asset.

Experience

Minimum five years of experience in social services or related fields, including leadership or supervisory experience in a client-focused workplace.

Cultural and Community Understanding

Must possess an Indigenous lens; preference is given to candidates with experience delivering social services within another Indigenous community in Canada.

Skills

Strong knowledge of social assistance programs, funding arrangements, and client support practices.

Exceptional judgment and diplomacy to balance policy objectives, fiscal constraints, and political considerations.

High emotional intelligence and the ability to manage complex, sensitive situations

Proficiency in interpreting and applying legislation, regulations, and social policy frameworks.

Designs and adapts innovative social assistance solutions to evolving needs and crises, while advancing delivery mechanisms and fostering partnerships to improve coverage, efficiency, and impact.

The Package
Salary: $90,000 – $105,000, negotiable within range based on experience.

Type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Onsite at 522 Church St., Indian Brook, Nova Scotia

Schedule:

Benefits & Pension: Health, dental, disability and life insurances, an employee and family assistance program, paid vacation and medical days, holiday shutdown and an employer pension plan.

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📌 Director of Social Assistance (Nova Scotia)
🏢 Millbrook First Nation
📍 Nova Scotia