**Indigenous Women are encouraged to apply. First preference will be given to all qualified Indigenous applicants.**

Why make ONWA your career choice?

Make a difference in the lives of Indigenous peoples by supporting and advocating for positive change. ONWA prides itself on providing all employees with a total rewards package that is generous and supports our workforce and their family members:

• Competitive salaries
• Generous paid vacation time
• Paid time off at Christmas above paid vacation time
• Additional paid stat and civic holidays
• 35 hour work week
• Comprehensive benefits program including health, paramedical, dental, vision and EAP. All premiums covered by the employer.
• Healthcare Spending Account and Lifestyle Spending Account
• Participate in CAAT defined benefit pension plan and retire with secure lifetime retirement income
• Paid sick days
• Paid cultural/personal wellness days
  
• Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
• Ongoing professional development.
• Possible reimbursement on portion of cell phone and internet expenses
  

VISION:

At the Ontario Native Women's Association (ONWA), we celebrate and honour the safety and healing of Indigenous Women and Girls as they take up their leadership roles in the family, community, provincially, nationally and internationally for generations to come.

SCOPE:

The Wellness Worker will report to the Community Development Manager of Health Programs and provide wholistic services within the Ska-Be program to meet the needs of Indigenous women and their families through a range of services focusing on mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing through a cultural, trauma-informed, gender based and family centered approach.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum degree or diploma in counselling, social work, or mental health with a minimum of three years of experience working with Indigenous populations in mental health specific roles.
• Knowledge of Indigenous culture, traditions, ceremony, and the ability to connect community members to safe cultural practices that can be used as support.

• Solution oriented with proven analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of and relationships with other health care/social service agencies, ability to network, create/maintain these relationships.
• Awareness of recent, historic and intergeneration trauma and the effects indigenous women and their families experience including the psychological, neurological, physiological, social, and spiritual impact of trauma.
• Thorough knowledge and experience working in and with a gender-based lens/perspective.
• Strong understanding of behavioral, emotional, and mental health problems and disorders of Indigenous women and their families (Including children and youth).
• In-depth understanding of psychological, social, and cognitive development.
• Ability to provide evidence-based counselling support services.
• Understanding the principles of cultural trauma-informed care and wise practices in providing trauma-informed care.
• Must be dependable, able to follow instructions, respond to management direction and be able to improve performance through management feedback.
• Capacity to solve problems and to see different perspectives.
• Ability to plan, organize and manage time effectively.
• Knowledge of and the ability to navigate health services and social services across Ontario.
• Able to form professional and collaborative working relationships and function as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Able to stand, bend, squat, kneel, lift, and reach freely.
• Assist community members with standing, walking, sitting, lifting, bathing, cooking, light cleaning, and attending appointments.
• General knowledge and ability to cook meals and create meal plans.
• Highly motivated and dependable individual with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to follow through on assigned duties independently with strict deadlines.
• Knowledge of Not-For Profit Organizations.
• Proficient working knowledge of MS Office Software, internet, and general office equipment.
• Ability to travel when required.
• Reliable vehicle, appropriate vehicle insurance coverage, valid Ontario “G” driver's license.
• Current, vulnerable sector criminal records Valid 1st Aid/CPR.
• Cellular phone and internet access are required within this position.
• Must be willing and able to work flexible working hours (which will include evenings and weekends) as needed to provide ongoing support and services to community members.
• Ability to speak an Indigenous Language is considered an asset.
• ONWA is committed to implementing measures to protect its community members, staff, and other stakeholders from COVID-19. As a result, ONWA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy. Exemptions will be made for those with a valid medical exemption; proof of the exemption will be required.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

If you would like to learn more about the job, please send us an email at [email protected].