Indigenous Schools Liaison – Full Time

You have a passion for helping Indigenous children and youth succeed in school.
You have cultural knowledge and gifts to share with children and youth to build strong sense of self.
Your traditional cultural knowledge is a part of you that you love to share.

Consider Wabano as your next career step!

Wabano is seeking positive, community-minded team members who are energized by challenge and motivated to serve our community.

Purpose of Position

The Indigenous Schools Liaison is responsible for working with schools in the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board to support Indigenous children and youth in the school system. The Liaison will work with the schools to help create processes and programs for Indigenous children and youth that build success. This position is also very active in providing informational and cultural presentations to students and faculty, providing direct support for children and youth, advocating for Indigenous children and youth and supporting on-going children and youth programs at Wabano.

Responsibilities

• Lead Indigenous cultural presentations and activities to students and faculty;
• Provide referrals and support to children and youth in school;
• Provide parental/guardian support in regards to the education system;
• Work with the Ottawa Carleton District School Board to help create education programs and processes that facilitate the self-identification of Indigenous children and youth;
• Advocate for Indigenous students and their families with teachers and school officials;
• Work with the youth team to run evening programming;
• Provide tours and coordinate activities for classroom visits at Wabano;
• Promote Wabano programs and services within the schools;
• Participate in overnight camps (once or twice a year as funding permits);
• Provide client care/programming at a time that is best for the client (includes evening and occasional weekend programming); and
• Complete reports and build program capacity.

Qualifications

• Post secondary completion in Education (Bachelor of Education); Additional qualification in Guidance an asset;
• Evidence of Indigenous traditional cultural knowledge and experience in providing learning;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working with Indigenous children and youth;
• Experience in the public education system;
• Demonstrated knowledge of intergenerational trauma, mental health and concerns of young people;
• Demonstrated knowledge of social, economic and health issues relevant to the urban Indigenous community;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders of various levels including: Indigenous youth and their families, teachers, school officials and school board representatives;
• Excellent organizational skills with strong oral and written communication skills including experience in report writing;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint;
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends; and
• Clear criminal reference check to work with vulnerable population is required.

First Nations, Inuit or Métis candidates will be given priority, please self-identify.

To pursue this opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@wabano.com.

This opportunity will remain open until filled. Tell us your story early!

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. Wabano is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If contacted for an employment opportunity or interviewing, please advise if you require accommodation.

The Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health is an award-winning Health Access Centre that provides holistic health services to First Nation, Inuit and Métis people living in Ottawa – one of the fastest growing and diverse urban Indigenous communities in Canada. Wabano is a fast-paced, client-oriented organization that models the Indigenous values of balance, respect and community interdependence. Wabano is proud to be accredited through the Canadian Centre for Accreditation, a third-party review based on accepted organizational practices that promote ongoing quality improvement and responsive, effective community services.