Land-Based Healing Support Worker

Are you passionate about supporting Indigenous Peoples through culture, connection to the land, and holistic healing? The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society (ACEH) is seeking a Land-Based Healing Coordinator to support the planning, coordination, and delivery of culturally grounded land-based healing programs and community events for Indigenous Family Members experiencing homelessness and other complex barriers.

WHO WE ARE: The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH) has a vision to lead long-term, systemic change to better meet the needs of our people living away from home and experiencing homelessness. Our work is centered on the voices of Indigenous peoples who have shared their immediate needs, lived experiences, and perspectives on solutions.

Through research and experience, we have learned that a culturally-supportive model of care is key, and strategies that include cultural supports provide better outcomes in terms of transitioning and sustaining housing for Indigenous people experiencing homelessness. Our goal is to build a culturally safe community and provide opportunities for reconnection to family and ancestral lands, culture, and tradition, to strengthen Indigenous identity and purpose.

Our Vision: Our way is to care for all our people, from the youngest to the oldest. We are all one. Some of our people living away from home are suffering, isolated and homeless. We stand together to end homelessness.

This position is open to all applicants. Preference will be given to qualified candidates with Indigenous ancestry. The ACEH values strength in diversity. As an inclusive employer that celebrates the gifts of all its employees, we encourage members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community to apply.

Job Details:

Position Type: Full-Time

Location: Victoria, BC (travel throughout Greater Victoria and surrounding areas is required)

Start Date: Conditional on receiving a clearance letter through the Criminal Records Review Program.

Compensation: $28.35 per hour.

Union Dues: This position is included in the bargaining unit and requires union membership. For all hours worked at unionized sites, a deduction of 1.85% for union dues will be deducted in accordance with the Collective Agreement.

Benefits:

• Extended Health and Dental Benefits
• Employer-matched RRSP (up to 5%)
• 3 weeks (15 days) paid vacation annually (6% accrual, pro-rated for part-time)
• 5 paid sick days per year
• Additional sick leave accrued at 1 day per month
• 3 unpaid personal days per year

Key Deliverables:

• Coordinate and support all aspects of ACEH's Land-Based Healing camps and cultural programming, including planning, logistics, participant recruitment, scheduling, transportation, accommodations, meals, equipment, and supplies.
• Build respectful, culturally supportive relationships with Indigenous Family Members participating in Land-Based Healing programming and provide ongoing outreach before and after camps.
• Coordinate participant intakes, pre-camp assessments, and care planning in collaboration with the Registered Nurse and Land-Based Healing Manager.
• Attend day camps, overnight camps, and cultural events while providing support, wellness monitoring, and responding appropriately to emergencies.
• Transport Family Members to and from Land-Based Healing camps and community events using ACEH vehicles.
• Support camp operations including shopping, meal planning, packing, camp set-up, cooking, inventory management, camp take-down, and replacement of equipment and supplies.
• Facilitate ongoing participant check-ins, debrief talking circles, and follow-up supports following Land-Based Healing activities.
• Support cultural programming, community gatherings, and gardening initiatives at ACEH housing sites, including House of Courage, SPAKEN House, Youth House, and Sacred Cradle House.
• Maintain accurate participant documentation, care plans, case notes, and program records within the Case Management Administration System (CAMS).
• Coordinate administrative functions including event calendars, SharePoint resources, invitations, promotional materials, email communications, and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with internal programs, Elders, Cultural Mentors, healthcare professionals, and community partners to ensure culturally safe and holistic supports for Family Members.
• Participate in mandatory meetings, training, and organizational initiatives while supporting continuous improvement of the Land-Based Healing program.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Demonstrated experience planning, coordinating, and delivering programs within a fast-paced environment requiring strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Valid BC Class 5 Driver's License.

• Food Safe Certification.

• Minimum 1 year of related experience working with vulnerable peoples and/or providing care. Preference will be given to applicants who have worked with Indigenous peoples and have relevant Indigenous post-secondary education and/or training.

• Valid First Aid and CPR Certification. Wilderness First Aid Certification is considered an asset.

• Consent to a Ministry of Justice Criminal Record Check for Working with Vulnerable Adults.

• Naloxone Overdose Training and Certification considered an asset.

• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) Certification considered an asset.

• Experience or personal insight working cooperatively with people with disabilities, lived experience, mental health challenges, and addictions is considered an asset.

• Experience working within non-profit organizations, family support services, social services, and Indigenous support programs is considered an asset.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience building respectful relationships and working collaboratively with Indigenous Peoples, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community partners.

• Progressive understanding of persistent mental illness, addictions, trauma, and other challenges and how these impact people’s overall health, wellbeing, and quality of life.

• Understanding of the impacts of colonization, Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and other oppressive systems affecting Indigenous peoples in Canada.

• Ability to work in a holistic, professional, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental manner with a broad range of personalities, cultures, lived experiences, and abilities.

• Ability to effectively respond and adjust to unexpected events, assess high-risk situations, problem-solve, provide crisis intervention, and manage conflict in a culturally supportive manner.

• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and maintain strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Strong written, electronic, and verbal communication skills to support collaborative practice and respectful, culturally safe environments for Family Members, staff, guests, and volunteers.

• Ability to apply a harm reduction approach when responding to complex situations and supporting Family Members.

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, overnight camps, and respond to changing operational needs.

• Ability to support program planning, reporting, logistics, and administrative functions while maintaining accurate documentation and records.