Mental Health Worker

**_**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
- 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.
- Possible reimbursement on portion of cell phone and internet expenses

**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**:
The **Mental Health** **Worker **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 well-being through a cultural, trauma-informed, gender based and family centered approach.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Minimum degree in Counselling, Social Work, Mental Health or equivalent and a registered social worker. A degree us 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.
- 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 mínimal 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._