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 Women's Support Services Workers, reporting to the Support Services Supervisor, responsible for providing a holistic approach and combination of traditional, cultural and western supports, that meets the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of Indigenous women, children and youth of the Weli-Ankweyasimk Women's Shelter, including emotional and crisis support, delivering relevant programs and services, providing supportive counselling, advocacy and referrals to external community resources and services, focused on healing, recovery and growth.

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 an environment that supports and encourages healing, recovery and growth

Provides a client centred holistic approach to supporting clients directly, honestly and with empathy, focused on a combination of traditional, cultural and western supports

Connects with individual clients, impacted by abuse and or violence, evaluating and assessing the immediate physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs

Establishes individual safety and protection plans to address dangerous situations, and supports preventative measures for safety and protection of clients, children, and youth prior to admission in the Shelter

On admission, assesses the immediate physical and medical needs of the client, assisting with protection plans, and or transportation

Provides transportation, accompaniment, support and advocacy for client meetings and or appointments, as necessary

Welcomes and orients clients to the Shelter, providing opportunities to identify, express and understand experiences and assist clients in getting settled, providing safety and comfort, and awareness regarding Shelter policies and procedures

Records, reviews and assesses client background information, prepares to meet and discuss client's history and establish plans of action for internal and external program and support services, based on needs of the client

Develops and implements client specific plans, based on prioritization of needs, within program guidelines, providing emotional support, encouragement, goal setting and problem solving

Advocates, provides referrals and information to assist with applications for other community services to support the client's needs (e.g. income assistance, housing, health, and legal aid services), including transportation for client appointments

Maintains a visible presence and contact with clients of the Shelter, addressing challenges, ensuring adequate support services, and responding to client inquiries, as needed

Monitors and evaluates client progress and effectiveness of individual plans and reports concerns to the Support Services Supervisor in order to resolve identified issues and move forward

Crisis Line Services

Screens and assesses calls, identifying, and prioritizing calls based upon the needs of the caller

Provides support and crisis intervention, determining immediate needs (level of danger) to address safety and security

Provides the caller with information and makes appropriate referrals to other community services, if the needs are outside of the Shelter's mandate

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

Counselling and Educational Services

Provides individual and or group support counselling services, support groups and healing circles focused on past abuse, addictions, healthy relationships and other areas to encourage healing and recovery

Supports the holistic approach to health and wellness through the development, and delivery of programs and services focused on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs (e.g. culture, recreation, life skills, food skills and security, parenting, job readiness, anger and time management, stress and anxiety, and conflict resolution)

Develops and implements programs and services in accordance with the Shelter's goals and objectives

Collaborates and coordinates with external culture and educational providers, including Elders, Knowledge Holders, Culture and Language Coordinators, Mi'kmaw communities, Mi'kmaw and Indigenous organizations and community services organizations to support and conduct programs and services within the Shelter

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

Monitors and assists with client's medication routines

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

Promotes and encourage healthy meals and snack preparation and consumption

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

Conducts regular safety and security checks in accordance with the Shelter's Health and Safety policies and procedures (e.g. secure medications in designated area)

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, client files, phone log, case notes and communications log that provides other Support Services Workers with up to date information to support service delivery, including counselling, trauma and crisis interventions and referrals for other community services

Develops and maintains collaborative and productive working relationships with external community service providers, funders, vendors, community resources and or tools to support operations of the Shelter and address client needs

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

Diploma or Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in Human Services area such as Community Services, Social Human Services, or Counselling

Two years of recent and 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

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training (NVCI) is considered an asset

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is considered an asset

Trauma Informed Care Training is considered an asset

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

Excellent communication, interpersonal and public relations skills

Ability to negotiate and or mediate conflict, understands how to use de-escalation and non-violent communication techniques

Ability to function effectively in difficult or crisis situations, with proven conflict resolution and crisis intervention abilities

Ability to be patient and remain calm in stressful situations

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to come up with creative solutions

Proven ability to multi-task, set priorities based on competing demands

Strong organizational 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

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 #WOMENSSUPPORTWORKER 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 Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $27.00-$37.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

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