Job Description

Wasoqopa'q First Nation (formerly Acadia First Nation) is governed as a custom band under the provisions of the Indian Act with established bylaws, policies and procedures. The First Nation's electoral system constitutes an election once every five (5) years with positions for one Chief and eight (8) councillors. Chief and Council elect, are the governing body responsible for making decisions for the overall health and well-being of communities, Elders, youth and families.

Wasoqopa'q First Nation is unique in its geographical composition, spread throughout the Southwestern regions of Nova Scotia spanning five counties from Yarmouth to Halifax, encompassing six (6) reserves - Yarmouth, Ponhook, Medway, Wildcat, Gold River, and Hammonds Plains, in both rural and urban settings. To support administration and business operations, Wasoqopa'q First Nation, with supporting staff, provides programs and services within two (2) Health Centres, a Youth Centre, two (2) Community Centres, six (6) administration offices, and six (6) business establishments, including economic development, education, employment, fishing, forestry, health, housing & maintenance, human resources, and social.

Wasoqopa'q First Nation owns and operates the Weliankweyasimk Women's Shelter, an Indigenous Women's Shelter dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for Indigenous women and children who have experienced family violence. The facility operates with 24-hour staffing, a 24-hour crisis line, supportive counselling, programming and assistance in navigating external programming, services and systems. The team of the Weliankweyasimk Women's Shelter provide a holistic and client-centered approach to programs and services that are culturally grounded, built upon Indigenous culture, traditions and healing practices, that encourages healing, empowerment, growth and increased overall well-being for Indigenous women and children in maintaining a healthy, violence free lifestyle.

Position Overview and Objective

WFN is currently recruiting for Day/Night/Casual Support Workers, reporting to the Support Services Supervisor, responsible for supporting the Women's Support Services Workers and the overall functionality of the Weli-Ankweyasimk Women's Shelter, with answering and fielding calls, crisis line, client intakes and or discharges, household services, and general administrative duties that provides a healthy and safe environment for Indigenous women, children, youth and employees.

Essential Functions and Duties

Client Services

Creates and maintains, with the Shelter team, a safe, trusting, respectful, and accepting atmosphere for Shelter clients, children and youth

Builds relationships and supportive connections with individual clients, providing a client centred holistic approach to supporting and providing information to clients

Provides, during day shifts, transportation, and accompaniment to appointments, as required

Welcomes and orients clients to the Shelter, assisting clients in getting settled, providing safety and comfort, and awareness regarding Shelter policies and procedures

Maintains a visible presence and contact with clients of the Shelter, responding to client inquiries, as needed

Collaborates with the Women's Support Services Workers, to support childcare, during women's participation in Shelter programming

Assists with administrative duties, including documentation regarding intakes, discharges and other forms of information, as required

Crisis Line Services

Answers the crisis line, identifying, appropriate action based upon the needs of the caller

Provides the caller with information and makes appropriate connections supports

Document all calls in the phone log book and on client contact sheets

Household Functions and Services

Ensures smooth operations of the shelter, performing operational duties, making sure the Shelter is clean, tidy and safe, in accordance with Health and Safety regulations

Monitors and ensures adequate supplies including shopping, food, stocking the pantry, linens, and Shelter cleaning supplies

Ensures all medications are placed in a safe and secure area

Collaborates with the Support Services Supervisor, assisting clients with meal preparation and clean up, in accordance with the menu established, adhering to all safe food handling and preparation regulations and guidelines

Thoroughly cleans and prepares rooms and other amenities for incoming clients, including bedding, furniture and high touch surfaces, as outlined in the Shelter's cleaning procedures and assists clients with maintaining a hygienic living space

Ensures housekeeping services such as laundry, housecleaning, room cleaning is completed in accordance with the shift schedule checklist.

Assists with sorting of donations of food and supplies in accordance with inventory control measures and procedures

Health and Safety

Respects a workplace culture that takes responsibility for Health and Safety

Ensures the Shelter is safe and secure from break-ins, fire and other hazards or potential dangers

Maintains adherence and supports compliance of all Health and Safety regulations, including the safety of all clients, employees and visitors

Maintains working relationship with the RCMP and emergency services to support crisis situations and or addressing safety and security dangers of women, children and youth and the Shelter

Maintains and participates in all Health and Safety training, in accordance with the requirements of the position

Other Duties and Functions

Maintains strict confidentiality and professional boundaries with all clients and employees

Establishes and maintains healthy, collaborative, supportive working relationships with employees, working and contributing in a team environment

Establishes and keeps accurate records, including daily statistics in the log book, phone log, and communications log that provides Support Services Workers with up to date information to support service delivery, including counselling, trauma and crisis interventions and referrals for other community services

Attends and actively participates in team meetings and communications that support the operations of the Weli-Ankweyasimk Women's Shelter

Adhere to all Wasoqopa'q First Nation (WFN) Policies, Procedures and Weli-Ankweyasimk Women's Shelter procedures, as required

Other duties, training and activities related to support the operational needs of the Weli-Ankweyasimk Women's Shelter, as required

Required Education/Certification/Experience

Highschool Diploma and or or equivalent related experience working and supporting women who have been exposed to, experienced or part of family or domestic violence, abuse and or threats

Knowledge of Mi'kmaq and or Indigenous Culture & History

Knowledge and experience working in a Mi'kmaw and or Indigenous communities

Must possess a valid Class 5 driver's license with a good driving abstract and have access to a reliable vehicle for work purposes

Proof of $ 2.0 million liability insurance

Mental Health First Aid, First Aid & CPR, WHMIS and OH&S Certification is considered an asset

Criminal record and vulnerable sector check upon hiring

Child Abuse Registry Check upon hiring and renewal every two years

Required Abilities, Skills and Competencies

Demonstrated knowledge and cultural sensitivity, in understanding and respecting diverse backgrounds and lifestyles

Good interpersonal, organizational, written and verbal communication skills

Ability to be patient and remain calm in stressful situations

Strong multi-tasking and time management skills

Effective computer literacy skills in Microsoft 365

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team

A commitment to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion

Emotional and Physical Demands

Encountering people in crisis, that are experiencing emotional distress or mental health issues

Dealing with individuals under the influence and may be required to respond to overdoses and other medical situations

Dealing with mental health issues and or complex mental health conditions that require patience, empathy and understanding

Performing, cleaning and sanitization tasks that required you cleaning and sanitizing of bodily fluids and disposal of safe injection materials, using PPE

Working Conditions

Hours of work are expected to occur on a shift-based schedule, 24/7 operations

Scheduled shifts include mornings, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays

Working environment may be hazardous at times, due to the nature of work involved, and can be emotionally and physical demanding

A great deal of time is spent working indoors in a well maintained, heated/ventilated environment with modern and up-to-date equipment

There are instances of moving objects and lifting equipment and or boxes up to 50 lb

Standing for long periods of time can occur

Long period of work with office equipment and computer can occur

Long periods of work on a computer can occur

Travel and transportation are required to support clients with appointments

Must possess a valid Class 5 driver's license with a good driving abstract and have access to a reliable vehicle for work purposes

Proof of $ 2.0 million liability insurance

Application Requirements

Submit Cover Letter and Resume to resumes@acadiaband.ca Please quote #CASUALSUPPORTWORKER on your cover letter and indicate your salary expectations for this position.

WFN appreciates the interest of all applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. WFN does not assume candidate expenses related to this recruitment process.

In accordance with the Aboriginal Employment Preference Policy of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, if all qualifications are equal, preference will be given to persons of Aboriginal ancestry and if a Wasoqopa'q First Nation Band member.

Deadline to Apply: October 5, 2025

Wasoqopa'q First Nation is committed to fostering a safe workplace that provides an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment, where employees are treated professionally and with dignity and respect. We value the contributions that each person brings, and are committed to ensuring equal opportunity and participation as part of the WFN team.

We are a community. We make a difference.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $19.00-$29.00 per hour

Expected hours: 24 per week

Benefits:

Dental care Extended health care Life insurance On-site parking RRSP match Vision care
Work Location: In person