Mental Health Worker

Ontario Native Women's Association; Thunder Bay; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is seeking a Mental Health Worker to provide wholistic mental health services for Indigenous women and families. You will deliver counselling, clinical assessments, case management, crisis intervention, and referrals within a cultural, trauma-informed framework.

The role emphasizes advocacy, connection to traditional healing, and collaborative care. Reporting to the Branch Manager, you will work with a dedicated team to support safety, healing, and

Qualifications

• Counselling degree or equivalent with registered social worker status.
• 3–5 years’ experience counselling Indigenous populations in mental health, trauma and substance use issues.
• 3–5 years’ experience with mental health program development and delivery.
• Knowledge of Indigenous cultures and gender-based approaches is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide wholistic counselling, clinical assessments, case management, and crisis intervention.
• Offer referrals, advocacy, and access to traditional healing and wellness supports.
• Collaborate with families and communities to support healing and well-being.
• Maintain culturally trauma-informed care and ethical practice.

Skills

Counselling experience

Trauma support

Advocacy for Indigenous women/families

Indigenous population experience

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Time management

Independent work

Problem solving

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Counselling/Social Work

Registered social worker

Job description

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.

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:

Reporting to the Branch Manager, the Mental Health Worker provides wholistic services that meet the needs of Indigenous women and their families through a range of supports focused on mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Using a cultural, trauma-informed, gender-based, and family-centered approach, the Mental Health Worker provides counselling, clinical assessments, case management, crisis intervention, referrals, advocacy, and access to traditional healing and wellness supports.

QUALIFICATIONS:

SKILLS:

• Post-secondary diploma or bachelor’s degree in Counselling, Social Work, Mental Health, or equivalent and a registered social worker. A degree is preferred.
• 3-5 years’ experience counselling Indigenous populations in mental health, trauma and substance abuse issues including advocating and supporting Indigenous women and/or Indigenous families.
• 3-5 years’ experience with mental health program development and delivery.
• 3-5 years’ experience working with Indigenous populations in mental health and substance use issues.
• Ability to provide evidence-based counselling support services.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills and an ability to follow through on assigned duties independently with strict deadlines.
• Capacity to solve problems and to see different perspectives.
• Ability to plan, organize and manage time effectively.
• Highly motivated individual with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Proficient working knowledge of MS Office software, internet, and general office equipment.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge of Indigenous culture, traditions, ceremony and connecting Community Members to cultural practices that can be used as support.
• Thorough knowledge and experience working with a gender-based lens/perspective.
• Strong understanding of major 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.
• Awareness of recent, historical and intergenerational trauma experienced by Indigenous women and their families, including the psychological, neurological, physiological, social and spiritual impact of trauma.
• Understanding of the principles of cultural trauma-informed care and wise practices in providing trauma-informed care.
• Knowledge of not-for-profit organizations.
• Ability to speak an Indigenous language is considered an asset.

Please know, this is an existing role we are looking to fill.

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 [e-mail].