Community Wellness Worker

Government of Northwest Territories; Tulita; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Government of Northwest Territories is seeking a Community Wellness Worker in Tulita, which focuses on promoting wellness among residents through culturally relevant services. This role involves engaging with various community groups and stakeholders, providing support related to mental health and substance use, and conducting presentations in the community. Candidates should have a diploma in the social sciences or equivalent lived experience in Northern Indigenous communities. Strong awareness of Indigenous cultural values and practices is essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year of experience in delivering mental health and wellness services.
• Relevant lived experience in Northern Indigenous communities for three years considered.

Responsibilities

• Engage with community groups and support clients in wellness initiatives.
• Conduct home visits and community presentations in various weather conditions.
• Collaborate with social and medical professionals for client care.

Skills

Knowledge of Indigenous cultural values and customs

Understanding the impacts of colonization

Knowledge of mental health and substance use

Ability to apply wise practices in risk management

Education

Diploma in Social Sciences or equivalent lived experience

Job description

Department: Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority

This job opening is limited to residents living within 25 kilometresof Tulita NT.

Department Information

The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) offers challenging and exciting careers in health and social services delivery and administration in Canada’s North. The Territorial Authority has service locations in communities across the territory and a staff of more than 1,600 serving over 43,000 residents of the NWT and 5,900 residents of the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut. Challenging work, welcoming communities, and expanded opportunities are some of the benefits offered to employees of the NTHSSA.

Job Information

The Community Wellness Worker is a member of the Primary Community Care (PCC) Team and therefore plays a key role in striving to ensure that client needs are met through culturally relevant and appropriate education, screening, intake, assessment, supportive counselling, planning, referral, and aftercare related to cultural identity, mental health/wellness, substance use/misuse, and healthy families/family violence. This involves working with various community groups and stakeholders, Indigenous leaders and the public including a diverse population (Elders, adults, adolescents, children, and families). The incumbent works collaboratively, and in partnership with other social and medical professionals, as well as organizations and professionals outside of the health and social services system in the community and region (i.e., Community Counsellors, Child and Youth Counsellors, Community Health Representatives, staff from Indigenous organizations, Local Governments, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Social Workers, Justice and Education Departments, etc.) to promote wellness to residents of the NWT.

Home visits and community-based presentations (30% of the time) will require the incumbent to carry 5-15 lbs. of presentation supplies and aids to the location of the presentations in all climactic conditions (private homes, schools, health centre). The incumbent may be expected to walk to the sites on a daily basis with exposure to various weather conditions when moving between the office and locations for public presentations and home visits.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of cultural values, customs, and ideology of the Indigenous peoples of the NWT.
• Knowledge of the detrimental effects of colonization, especially the residential school system, and its impacts on Indigenous communities, families and individuals.
• Knowledge of the intergenerational impacts caused by the trauma of colonization on communities, families, and individuals.
• Knowledge of physical, psychological, and social effects of substance use/misuse, mental health / mental health disorders and healthy families.
• Demonstrates ability to adhere to a professional code of ethics.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply wise practices in the management of risk factors for substance use/misuse, mental health/mental health disorders and healthy families.
• Knowledge of and ability to refer clients to community supports and connections to culture within and outside the region to ensure support for clients and their families (i.e., for individuals who require in-patient or alternative [such as psychiatric] assessment and care).
• Knowledge of mental health and addiction treatment options and Indigenous based programming for people of all ages.
• Knowledge of and ability to demonstrate understanding and respect of the culture, traditions, community norms, and cultural values of the community.

Typically, the above qualifications would be attained by:
Diploma in the Social Sciences field with a minimum of one (1) year of experience in the delivery of mental health, addictions, and wellness services.
Alternatively, having relevant lived experience for a minimum of three (3) years in Northern Indigenous communities.

Lived experience is defined as someone who has:

• Has lived/is living in a Northern Indigenous community and has had interactions with wellness services as a service provider or participant.
• Has a clear understanding of wellness services personally and professionally.
• Has been active and supportive in the community and in their regional Indigenous culture.
• Lives healthy lifestyle that is founded in their Indigenous cultural understanding and practices.
• Has an Indigenous cultural understanding of healing from personal experience as an Indigenous person and from the knowledge gained through intergenerational teaching.

Strong awareness of cultural diversity, specifically, Northern Indigenous values and practices.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.