Community Healing Coordinator

Employment Opportunity

Community Healing Coordinator

Position Title
Community Healing Coordinator

Department
Health

Salary
$70,000 per annum

Term
Full-Time/Term Position/1 Year

Location
Dependant on the successful candidate's location

Estimated Start Date
November 2026

Wasoqopa'q First Nation (formerly Acadia First Nation) is governed as a custom band under the provisions of the Indian Act with established bylaws, policies and procedures. The First Nation's electoral system constitutes an election once every five (5) years with positions for one Chief and eight (8) councillors. Chief and Council elect, are the governing body responsible for making decisions for the overall health and well-being of communities, Elders, youth and families.

Wasoqopa'q First Nation is unique in its geographical composition, spread throughout the Southwestern regions of Nova Scotia spanning five counties from Yarmouth to Halifax, encompassing six (6) reserves - Yarmouth, Ponhook, Medway, Wildcat, Gold River, and Hammonds Plains, in both rural and urban settings. To support administration and business operations, Wasoqopa'q First Nation, with supporting staff, provides programs and services within two (2) Health Centres, a Youth Centre, two (2) Community Centres, six (6) administration offices, and six (6) business establishments, including economic development, education, employment, fishing, forestry, health, housing & maintenance, human resources, and social.

Position Overview and Objective

WFN is currently recruiting for a Community Healing Coordinator, reporting to the Health Director, responsible for fostering culturally safe, strength-based community led initiatives that build capacity, resilience, wellness and crisis readiness, through the facilitation of engagement, coordinating resources, supporting shared learning through a Community of Practice. Working collaboratively with community leadership, Health Director, wellness teams, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, service partners, and the Tajikeim Mental Wellness Team, the Coordinator contributes and advances the Healing Through Loss Framework development work.

Essential Functions and Duties

• Coordinate access to information, resources, and culturally safe supports during crisis situations
• Promote culturally grounded approaches to grief, loss, traditional healing, resilience, and shared access to Mi'kmaw resources
• Act as a primary point of contact for employees requesting support related to addressing client crisis, grief, loss, trauma, and wellness concerns
• Support WFN in identifying immediate needs, long-term wellness and crisis response goals for healing
• Work with the Healing Through Loss Tajikeim'k Lead to support WFN community engagement, implementation, and evaluation of the Healing Through Loss Framework
• Facilitate engagement sessions, plan meetings, follow-up activities, and implementation plans that reflect community priorities
• Build relationships with wellness teams, community organizations, service providers, and external partners.
• Serve as a liaison between WFN, Tajikeim'k, and regional service providers
• Support knowledge sharing, collaboration, and ongoing Community of Practice meetings focused on crisis response, healing, and mental wellness
• Work with community, and other Community Healing Coordinators in the development of community support mapping work
• Identify training, education, coaching, mentorship, and resource-sharing opportunities that strengthen community wellness and crisis response
• Assist in co-developing culturally relevant tools, resources, and educational materials
• Promote trauma-informed, culturally safe, and community-led practices for loss, grief, crisis, and healing to support front line teams in their wellness
• Maintain records of engagement activities, implementation progress, outcomes, and identifying emerging community needs
• Collect feedback to support continuous improvement and identify service gaps
• Prepare reports, briefing materials, recommendations, and updates for leadership and partners
• Work with the Tajikeim'k Mental Wellness Team to plan, implement, and evaluate workforce wellness initiatives
• Foster peer learning, mentorship, collaboration, and strategies to address vicarious trauma impacts, compassion fatigue, psychological safety and workplace stress
• Work with community partners, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers to strengthen staff wellness, self-care, reflective practice, resilience, and crisis preparedness
• Adhere to all Wasoqopa'q First Nation (WFN) Policies, Procedures and necessary procedures, as required
• Working in a team environment, other duties, training and activities, as required

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work, Public Health, Community Development, Indigenous Studies, Mental Health and Addictions, or a related field
• Minimum 2-3 years' experience in community mental wellness, crisis response, Indigenous health, or community development
• Experience working respectfully with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, and partners
• Strong understanding of mental wellness, grief, loss, trauma-informed care, suicide intervention principles, crisis response, and community healing practices
• Knowledge of L'nu culture, traditions, healing practices, and culturally safe service delivery
• Knowledge of the Mi'kmaw language is an asset
• First Aid CPR, WHMIS and OHS are considered an asset
• Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check required
• Child Abuse Registry Check required

Required Abilities, Skills and Competencies

• Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills
• Ability to collaborate with communities, health teams, educators, service providers, and external partners
• Ability to evaluate programs and activities and adjust approaches to support positive outcomes
• A commitment to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion

Working Conditions

• Office Hours of work occur 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Thursday, inclusive, circumstances may arise that require evenings and or weekends, altering weekly work schedules
• Travel may be required to attend meetings
• A valid driver's license is required, as is access to a vehicle
• Occasionally, travel and meetings may fall outside of the regular office hours
• Travel to the other location requires driving for significant periods of time

Application Requirements

Submit Cover Letter and Resume to [email protected]

**Please quote #COMMUNITYHEALINGCOORDINATOR on your cover letter and indicate your salary expectations for this position.

WFN appreciates the interest of all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. WFN does not assume candidate expenses related to this recruitment process.

In accordance with the Aboriginal Employment Preference Policy of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, if all qualifications are equal, preference will be given to persons of Aboriginal ancestry and if a Wasoqopa'q First Nation Band member.

Deadline to Apply
Deadline to Apply: OCTOBER 22, 2026

Wasoqopa'q First Nation is committed to fostering a safe workplace that provides an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment, where employees are treated professionally and with dignity and respect. We value the contributions that each person brings, and are committed to ensuring equal opportunity and participation as part of the WFN team.

We are a community. We make a difference.