Job Description

Employment Opportunity: Life & Essential Skills Instructor

Location: Halifax, NS

Salary Range: $55,000.00 (based on skills/experience)

Employment Term: Hire Date - September 12th, 2025

Reports To: Supportive Housing Program Manager

General Description:

Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre is centrally located in the urban Indigenous community of Halifax and is looking for One (1) Life Skills Instructor. The Life and Essential Skills Instructor (LESI) is primarily responsible for supporting MNFC clients in providing life and workplace skills development. The clients will be supported in various ways to help overcome personal barriers such as emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, social, financial, substance use and mental health, while providing essential skills training to help clients live independently and work towards their personal goals. The LESI must support clients with a client-centered, anti-oppressive, decolonized, and trauma informed lens with an emphasis on harm reduction principles. The LESI builds healthy rapport with clients and works collaboratively with them to achieve their personal wellness goals while prioritizing client autonomy. This position is adaptable to help meet clients' individual needs. Curricula for each area (life and workplace essential skills) will be delivered in a balanced, integrative approach. This position will work in collaboration with the MNFC Housing Program to offer Essential Life Skills training to Indigenous residents of the Etli-Sankeweim+K and Sage House programs.

Key Responsibilities:

Key Accountabilities for Life Skills Training

- Ensure the program delivery is congruent with the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre's mission, vision, and philosophy
- Utilize and maintain the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre's (MNFC) database and input client information in staff communication binders.
- Complete incident reports as needed.
- Support Housing Staff with ongoing operations of supportive housing program (driving clients to programming, case conferencing).
- Connect clients to community resources, supports and meaningful activities as required
- Ensure clients are fully informed of all programs of the MNFC
- Maintain accurate, comprehensive documentation regarding all interactions with clients. Documentation must be in accordance with agency standards and adhere to funder requirements.
- Assist clients with following their personal wellness plan: emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, social, environmental, and financial.
- Design, implement, facilitate, and discuss life skills workshops
- Assist in program and service development to ensure that quality, effective and client-centred programs, and services are delivered
- Work collaboratively with all team members and partnering agencies to achieve desired excellent service and outcomes

Key Accountabilities for Workplace Essential Skills Training

- Work with all residents of the MNFC Supportive Housing programs to offer Essential Skills Programming on a weekly basis.
- Advise candidates of appropriate programming pathway to employment and/ or continuing education.
- Plan, develop and deliver life skill program lesson plans, which will facilitate the learning of independent living and work-related skills. This may include essential skills development pertaining to employment preparation, healthy relationships, cooking, healthy living, and personal management skills.
- Work within an adult centered learning environment, establish rapport, encourage aspirations, and facilitate problem solving in a non-threatening environment.
- Evaluate and report on learners' progress in essential life skills.
- Plan schedules, speakers, and other activities relevant to delivering program.
- Adhere to all policies governing the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre
- May perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications, Skills and Abilities (QSA)

- Diploma or Degree in related field (i.e. Career development, Employment Counselling, Education, Workplace Training, Human Resources, education in mental health, addictions, concurrent disorders/ co-occurring disorders and social work), or an equivalent combination of education and experience (3+ years).
- Two years recent and relevant experience working with adults in life skills related employment.
- Experience and training in group facilitation and developing programs plans.
- Demonstrated competence and recent experience in the use of the internet, e-mail, MS Office Suite software and ability to learn and adapt to changing technology.
- Comprehensive understanding of Indigenous women and children, trans gender issues, poverty, homelessness, and their root causes.
- Comprehensive knowledge of community resources and programs and services.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
- Core Competency Training: Mental Health First Aid, ASIST and NVCI, First Aid Level and Conflict Resolution an asset.
- Must provide a recent Vulnerable Sector Check (within the last 6 months)
- Experience with Indigenous traditions, culture, and competencies.
- Must possess a valid driver's license and reliable motor vehicle.

Education

2 year diploma/ certificate or equivalent in the field of social services.

Mental Health first aid, ASIST, NVCI training is an asset.

Candidate without a diploma but who have post-secondary education and relevant related experience will also be considered.

- INDIGENOUS ANCESTRY TO BE CONSIDERED AN ASSET, please self-identify

Application Deadline: February 25th @ Noon

•Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel working within this job title. •

•The Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre is an equal opportunity employer; and complies with all fair employment practices laws. We are committed to providing a workplace free form unlawful discrimination and harassment and prohibit the same against employees, applicants or other covered persons by co-workers, supervisors, managers, or third parties based on a person's race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, veterans status, disability unrelated to job requirements, ethnicity, genetic information, military service, political affiliation, marital status and pregnancy or other protected status. •

•Qualified Indigenous applicants will be given priority in accordance with the Aboriginal Employment Preference Policy of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. The Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre (MNFC) reserves the right to refuse all applications for employment. The MNFC will not assume any expenses related to this or any job application process included and not limited to travel, relocation, and application development. •

•Covid-19 potential impact- This position is requires the incumbent to work onsite as the program is deemed an essential service. There are current COVID -19 restrictions in place, use of PPE as well as social distancing for safety of staff and community. •

•Only those applicants who are screened in for an interview will be contacted

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 per year