Housing and Wellness Support Navigator

At Ka-Na-Chi-Hih, we're dedicated to empowering Indigenous people on their journey to holistic well-being. With a mission rooted in mutual respect and inclusivity, we provide a nurturing environment for physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual growth. Join us as our **Housing and Wellness Support Navigator** and support our teams towards continued excellence and impact.

**SUMMARY**
The **Housing and Wellness Support Navigator** will work under the supervision of the **Program Manager** and is responsible for the delivery of brief intervention treatment services and aftercare treatment services to Indigenous youth struggling with addiction and mental health issues. The Housing and Wellness Support Navigator will assist individuals in securing and sustaining safe housing placements while navigating and coordinating housing resources with a focus on prevention and shelter diversion. The role will work collaboratively with community partners in these efforts and work towards reducing homelessness in Thunder Bay.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Provide information to individual communities regarding alcohol and drugs, their initial and long-term effects on self, environment, community, and the family;
- Maintaining up-to-date electronic client files;
- Promoting healthy lifestyles by information sharing, liaison activities, and agency promotion;
- Processing aftercare plans, relapse prevention counseling, networking with community resources, and acting as an outreach/resource to communities;
- Leading and/or attending group sessions as scheduled to either small or large groups of participants including youth groups, elders’ groups, etc;
- Assess needs and helps individuals to remove barriers to accessing community resources such as personal identification;
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with housing and service providers;
- Prepare reports which may include monthly, quarterly and annual reports on program delivery;
- Assist in obtaining housing for clients;
- Provide coordinated services with internal and external stakeholders, including liaison with Intake and Case Management Worker to include appropriate referrals, advocacy and ensure continued support and stabilization;
- Provide coordinated services with internal and external stakeholders; this includes various housing initiatives in the city and includes coordination with the Case manager and Intake worker to ensure appropriate referrals, advocacy, and continued support for clients
- Homelessness Learning Hub: Practical, relevant, trusted professional development

**ACCOUNTABILITY**

The **Housing and Wellness Support Navigator** is under the day-to-day supervision of the Program Manager, with overall performance to the Chief Executive Officer.

**COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS**
- Excellent interpersonal skills to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with individuals, co-workers, First Nation leadership and representatives of other agencies;
- Demonstrated ability in facilitating groups and providing one on one support;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, computer skills, conceptual and leadership skills, ability to work with groups in strategic planning and problem solving;
- A working knowledge of federal and provincial government programs, services and typical reporting demands.
- Excellent analytical and organizational skills;
- Ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment;
- Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries;
- Initiative and ability to complete tasks with minimum guidance and supervision, and ability to manage competing demands in a team setting;
- Must possess a valid Ontario Driver’s License and be willing to travel if required.
- Must provide a clear criminal reference check (PVSC), which includes screening for vulnerable sector.
- Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless unable as per a protected ground in the Human Rights Code.
- Fluency in a NAN dialect (Cree, Ojibway or Oji-Cree) preferred

**Education and Experience**:

- Degree in Social Services or related field;
- 3 years experience working with First Nation youth
- 3 years experience working in addictions and/or mental health;
- Experience working within the housing and/or homelessness sector is considered an asset;
**COMPENSATION & BENEFITS**:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From $65,975.00 per year

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

**Experience**:

- partnerships with housing and service providers: 1 year (preferred)
- First Nation community: 1 year (preferred)
- working in addictions and/or mental health: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: In person