Indigenous Health Specialist

Requisition ID: 17439
Department: Ottawa Public Health
Service: Ottawa Public Health Dept.
Branch: Business & Dev Support, Indigenous H.S
Employment Type: 1 Full-time Permanent
Work Hours: 35.00 hours per week
Affiliation: CIPP
Salary Information: $93,764.58 - $114,097.62 annually (2025 rates of pay)
Location: 100 Constellation, Nepean
City: Ottawa, ON
Job Category: Ottawa Public Health
Application Close: 27/05/2025

**JOB SUMMARY**
- Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is committed to Indigenous health, rights and reconciliation. We aspire to become a culturally safer and humble organization. Guided by the principles of respect, relationship, reciprocity and reflection, we work in partnership with urban Indigenous Peoples - including First Nations, Inuit, Métis peoples and communities - to promote social justice and advance Indigenous rights and wellbeing.

As a member of the Indigenous Health, Rights and Reconciliation (IHRR) Team, you may be expected to contribute to the advancement of IHRR-related initiatives in the following ways:

- Enhance Indigenous cultural safety (ICS) and actions that address Indigenous-specific racism by promoting ICS learning opportunities for OPH employees, leadership, and members of the Board of Health, and by working with internal and external partners to support health system transformation.
- Serve as a liaison with First Nations, Inuit and Métis service providers and community members to ensure that Indigenous rights, experience, and perspective are central when planning and delivering OPH programs and services.
- Share wise practices related to Indigenous engagement and knowledge exchange with colleagues to help cultivate and maintain relationships between OPH teams/programs, local Indigenous service organizations, and the Host Nation.
- Support Indigenous partners in their efforts to address community-identified priorities.
- Initiate and inform the development and strategic review of OPH policies and practices to ensure the integration of Two-Eyed Seeing.

**EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE**
- Completion of a 4-year degree in a relevant discipline including, Indigenous Studies, Social Work, Public Policy, Health Administration, Public Health, Organizational Development, Adult Education or related field
- A minimum of 3 years of related experience working with Indigenous organizations and communities. Must have knowledge and lived experience related to Indigenous health.

**KNOWLEDGE**
- Strong understanding of Indigenous perspectives, cultures, and local Indigenous and community groups and agencies.
- In-depth understanding of current issues affecting Indigenous communities, particularly related to health and public health.
- Understanding of and experience working with anti-racist, anti-oppressive and culturally safe approaches, and in creating safe and inclusive environments.
- Knowledge of and sensitivity to current and emerging issues related to health and wellness of Indigenous peoples (preferably through lived experience) as they pertain to Ottawa Public Health’s mandate.
- Knowledge of Indigenous pedagogy and Indigenous worldviews is strongly preferred.
- Understanding of Indigenous history, colonization, racism, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and OCAP® Principles (ownership, control, access and possession).
- Knowledge of techniques and methodologies for establishing relationships with Indigenous organizations
- Knowledge of a variety of change management theories and methodologies.
- Knowledge of consultation and engagement principles and practices related to building relationships with Indigenous organizations and communities.
- Knowledge of the Ontario’s public health sector and broader health system, and of provincial and/or First Nations, Inuit and Métis government processes.
- Knowledge of project management techniques and methodologies
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Visio) and familiarity with SharePoint.objectives.
- Knowledge of Ottawa organizations and services that serve diverse populations, and in particular, communities that face barriers.
- Knowledge of Indigenous languages would be an asset
- Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers

**COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES**
- Demonstrated ability to create partnerships and lead collaborative meetings and initiatives
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships with community partners and organizations that serve First Nations, Inuit, and or Métis
- Oral communication, consulting and interpersonal skills to provide advice in the provision of ensure consistent messaging and timely corporate response to complaints or concerns raised by partners, clients, stakeholders and the public.
- Ability to communicate and relate to Inuit with sensitivity to cultural and governance differences.
- Ability to speak Inuktitut or another indigenous language
- Stakeholder engagement and consultation/facilitation ski