Community Healing Coordinator

Potlotek First Nation; Margaree Valley; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Potlotek First Nation seeks a Community Healing Coordinator to support Mi’kmaw communities in crisis response, healing through loss, and planning for grief, loss, trauma, and wellness. The role partners with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and service providers to advance healing frameworks across 13 Mi’kmaw communities.

Responsibilities include coordinating crisis supports, implementing culturally grounded healing initiatives, and building workforce wellness by leading learning sessions and a

Qualifications

• Degree in relevant field and 2–3 years in community mental wellness or related
• Knowledge of Indigenous health, community development, and crisis response
• Experience with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and partners welcoming culturally safe practices

Responsibilities

• Coordinate community crisis response and healing supports
• Engage communities, health teams, and partners; coordinate resources
• Lead Community of Practice and workforce wellness initiatives
• Monitor, evaluate, and report on engagement and outcomes across communities

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Facilitation

Communication

Collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Degree in Social Work, Public Health, Community Development, Indigenous Studies, Mental Health and Addictions, or related field

Job description

Job Description – Community Healing Coordinator

Position Summary

The Community Healing Coordinator supports Mi’kmaw communities in strengthening community-led approaches to crisis response, healing through loss, and proactive planning for grief, loss, trauma, and wellness.

Working collaboratively with community leadership, Health Directors, wellness teams, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, service partners, and the Tajikeimɨk Mental Wellness Team, the Coordinator contributes and advances the Healing Through Loss Framework development work across the 13 Mi’kmaw communities.

This role fosters culturally safe, strengths-based initiatives that build community capacity, resilience, workforce wellness, and crisis readiness.

The Coordinator facilitates engagement, coordinates resources, supports shared learning through a Community of Practice, and strengthens partnerships between communities, regional service providers, and Tajikeimɨk Mi’kmaw Health and Wellness to advance sustainable, community-driven healing.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Crisis Response and Coordination

• Coordinate community capacity information, resources, and culturally safe supports that will be accessible during crisis situations.
• Act as a primary point of contact for community front line workers requesting support related to crisis, grief, loss, trauma, and wellness concerns.
• Support communities in identifying immediate needs and short-, medium-, and long-term wellness and crisis response goals for healing.

Healing Through Loss Framework Implementation

• Work with the Healing Through Loss Tajikeimɨk Lead to support community engagement, implementation, and developmental evaluation through shared creation of the Healing Through Loss Framework.
• Facilitate engagement sessions, plan meetings, follow-up activities, and local implementation plans that reflect community priorities.
• Promote culturally grounded approaches to support front line teams in grief, loss, traditional healing, resilience, and shared access to Mi’kmaw resources.

Partnerships and Community Engagement

• Build relationships with Health Directors, wellness teams, community organizations, service providers, and external partners.
• Serve as a liaison between communities, Tajikeimɨk, and regional service providers.
• Support knowledge sharing, collaboration, and ongoing Community of Practice meetings focused on crisis response, healing, and mental wellness.

Capacity Building and Education

• 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

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• 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.

Workforce Wellness and Community of Practice Leadership

• Work with the Tajikeimɨk Mental Wellness Team to plan, implement, and evaluate workforce wellness initiatives.
• Support and attend a Community of Practice for wellness staff, crisis workers, and frontline helpers across Mi’kmaw communities.
• 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.

About You

Education & Experience

• 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.

Knowledge

• 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.

Skills & Abilities

• 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.
• Ability to travel throughout Nova Scotia as needed; valid driver’s licence required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of Indigenous-led research methodologies, Indigenous data sovereignty, and the L’nu’k Mental Wellness and Healing Framework.
• Wholistic approach to integrating Mi’kmaw cultural practices, traditional activities, and healing methods into wellness supports.
• Commitment to cultural integrity and community empowerment.

Additional Requirements

• Up-to-date criminal record check (including vulnerable sector check if required).
• Salary: to be negotiated based on experience.