Native Liaison Officer

The Native Liaison Officer (NILO) plays a crucial role in assisting Indigenous adult clients at Qunite Detention Center in their successful reintegration into the community. By providing culturally relevant programs, services, and activities aimed at promoting Indigenous healing and wellness, the NILO addresses the unique needs of Indigenous clients while on a healing path. This position will be working on a part-time basis, 2 days per week on-site at the Quinte Detention Center in Napanee, Ontario.

**Responsibilities**:

- Provide support, assistance, and rehabilitative care to Indigenous clients through cultural counseling, follow-up services, and community resource information.
- Offer cultural and spiritual resources required for healing and wellness activities such as sweat lodge ceremonies, healing circles, smudging, and drumming, including engaging Elders and other resource people
- Maintain an inventory and supply traditional ceremonial medicines. Oversee and maintain sacred garden on property of Qunite Detention Centre and oversee Indigenous clients maintaining the garden on site
- Facilitate liaison services between Indigenous clients and the community to ensure access to resources for educational, employment, housing, health, and other identified needs.
- Plan, organize, and facilitate Indigenous Programs and activities regularly, providing an itinerary of events as requested by the institution.
- Maintain records including completing NILO Programming Intake forms, recording client contact information, and submitting monthly statistics.
- Attend and participate in meetings at the institution such as Staff meetings, Interdisciplinary Case Conferences, and others as requested.
- Interview all Indigenous clients upon admission to inform them of available programs and services.
- Develop, coordinate, and maintain regular cultural programs and activities focusing on positive personal growth.
- Prepare and submit regular reports and statistics pertaining to programs, activities, and clients to the Superintendent or designate and agency Executive Director as required.
- Provide offender counseling and assistance to Indigenous clients who wish to practice traditional ways and coordinate activities with Chaplain Services.

**Qualifications**:

- Strong boundaries to maintain the relationship between the institution and the agency
- Completion of education or training and/or pertinent cultural experience
- Superior crisis intervention and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage competing demands and assess changing priorities
- Ability to work alone/independently with mínimal supervision
- Effective communication and collaboration skills
- Knowledge and skill implementing Indigenous ceremonies and cultural programs.
- Recognition as a knowledge holder within their Indigenous community an asset

**Other**:

- Work conducted onsite within the institution, in a shared office.
- Attendance at operational meetings as directed by management within the institution
- Maintain the safety and security of the institution, by liaising with security, program, and health care staff as needed
- Writing reports, briefing notes, and presentation materials

**Note**: Other reasonable duties as may be assigned.

Hours of Work: 2 days per week, normally 8:30-4:30 Monday to Friday with the possibility of Saturday's on occasion to support clients.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it.

The John Howard Society of Kingston & District is an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to providing an accessible workplace. Accessibility accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment and selection process.