Ontario Native Women’s Association Looking for Addiction Navigator at Thunder Bay, ON Full Time

**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 and may include, remote work
• Comprehensive benefits program including health, medical, paramedical, dental, vision and EAP. All premiums covered by the employer.
• Competitive Retirement Savings Plan up to 16% with organization match pending position
• 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
• Remote work offered for various positions
• Paid management days

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.

ONWA MANDATE:

The Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) is a not-for-profit organization that empowers and supports Indigenous women and their families in the province of Ontario. ONWA encourages the participation of Indigenous women in the development of Federal, Provincial, Municipal/ Local government policies that impact their lives and ensure issues affecting Indigenous women and their families are heard at key government tables.

ONWA is committed to providing services that strengthen communities and guarantees the preservation of Indigenous culture, identity, art, language, and heritage. Ending violence against Indigenous women and their families and ensuring equal access to justice, education, health, environmental stewardship, and economic development, sits at the cornerstone of the organization. ONWA insists on social and cultural well – being for all Indigenous women and their families, so that all women, regardless of tribal heritage may live their best lives.

SCOPE:

The Addiction Navigator will provide wholistic services that 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:

• A Bachelor’s degree is preferred but a minimum two-year Social Work Diploma with a combination of 3 years’ experience advocating and supporting Indigenous women and/or Indigenous families.
• Experience working with Indigenous populations in, substance abuse issues, mental health and chronic or episodic homelessness.
• Knowledge of Indigenous culture, traditions, ceremony and connecting Community Members to cultural practices that can be used as support.
• Thorough knowledge and experience working in and 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.
• Ability to provide evidence-based counselling support services.
• Awareness of the recent, historical, and intergenerational trauma that Indigenous women and their families may have experienced, 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.
• 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.
• Highly motivated individual with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent organizational and 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.
• Reliable vehicle, appropriate vehicle insurance coverage and valid Ontario “G” class driver’s license.
• Current, valid vulnerable sector criminal records check. Valid 1st Aid/CPR.
• A cellular phone and internet access is required within this position.
• Must be willing and able to work a flexible working from home arrangement if required. This may include a combination of virtual remote work in your home and in office arrangements. This will be based on operational needs and will be determined by the ONWA.
• Ability to speak an Indigenous Language is considered an asset.
• ONWA is committed on 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

KEY CORE COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Inter-cultural Competency Informed – Understands to incorporate a personal responsibility to increase sensitivity, awareness, and implementation of ONWA’s cultural teachings and organizational practices in both professional conduct and work-related deliverables.

• Indigenous Gender-Based Analysis Informed – Understands to incorporate an intersectional approach to gender, race and discrimination and subsequent intergenerational impacts affecting Indigenous women and their families.

• Trauma-Based Practice Informed – Understands to incorporate a trauma-informed approach to recognize and respond to all forms of trauma and the necessity of supporting Indigenous women in a culture of tradition and safety in her healing journey.

• She is Wise Leadership Informed – Understands to incorporate the Four Agreements within daily responsibilities and combined with ONWA’s cultural teachings contribute to the empowerment and leadership of Indigenous women within their communities.

RESPONSIBILITIES – SPECIFIC:

AUTHORITY:

To execute the functions outlined in this job description.

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

As Indigenous leaders, ONWA is continuing full operations including hiring, while working from home, as supporting our community members is a priority. ONWA is scheduling all interviews, providing all training, onboarding and orientation for new employees, through the use of virtual tools. We will continue to accommodate remote and home based work arrangements in an effort to keep our ONWA employees healthy and safe.