Traditional and Holistic Wellness Specialist

Position Summary

Seabird Island is committed to advancing holistic wellness and culturally centered healthcare. We are dedicated to creating a culturally safe and inclusive environment that respects and values First Nations knowledge, traditions, and ways of being. We are seeking a Traditional and Holistic Wellness Specialist to join our team, working collaboratively to enhance the holistic health and wellness of community members and clients through culturally informed programming and services.

Under the direction of the Director of Health and Social Development, the Traditional and Holistic Wellness Specialist ensures service delivery is centered around First Nations worldviews, beliefs about holistic health, and cultural aspects of personal and family wellness. This role involves developing and implementing wellness programs that incorporate traditional practices into our programming, offering workshops on holistic health, and promoting cultural continuity within wellness services. The Traditional and Holistic Wellness Specialist will also engage in community relations activities to support clients and strengthen the connection between traditional knowledge and health outcomes in the community and provide support while on their path to wellness or in crises.

What you'll do 

Program Development and Management:

• Lead the planning, evaluation, development, redevelopment, and implementation of traditional wellness programs and services that reflect First Nations values and holistic health practices.
  
• Ensure all programs and services incorporate First Nations traditions, values, and cultural aspects of wellness.
  
• Develop and implement individual wellness plans for community members and clients.
  
• Ensure all programs and services incorporate culturally appropriate services, treatment, and support to individuals seeking balance within all aspects of self: Emotional, Spiritual, Physical, and Mental wellbeing.

Community Engagement and Education

• Facilitate events for healing and sharing circles, traditional plant walks, healing gatherings, coming-of age workshops, elder workshops, etc.
  
• Conduct workshops on traditional plants and remedies, holistic teachings, traditional learnings, protocols and season harvesting knowledge.
  
• Provide cultural training, education, and guidance to staff to ensure they provide services to families and communities in a culturally appropriate manner.
  
• Provide cultural training, education, and guidance to families and communities to ensure they can access traditional healing services with an understanding of appropriate protocols.
  
• Provide mentorship and learning opportunities to staff, families, and community members.
• Provide consultation to staff on protocols, ceremonies, and practices of Seabird Island.
  
• Provide ceremonial support and guidance as requested.

Health and Wellness Support:

• Engage clients in a trauma-informed, person-centered approach to support emotional, social, physical, and mental health growth and stability.
• Coordinate traditional-based activities that involve the specific use or development of traditional knowledge, practices, teachings, or services to achieve the objectives of the activity or event.
  
• Determine courses of action for client-driven needs.
  
• Provide traditional knowledge, cultural teachings, and ceremonies so that families and communities can learn and practice traditional healing strategies in their daily lives.

Collaboration and Partnership Building

• Develop networks and build partnerships to influence all levels of management and cross-functional areas, including health, community engagement, education, human resources, finance, planning, and community infrastructure.
  
• Build relationships and networks with external service providers such as First Nations Health Authority and Fraser Health.
  
• Work closely with management to ensure a positive experience for clients and the community.

Leadership and Supervision:

• Provide orientation, supervision, work direction, and feedback to volunteers and practicum students.
  
• Facilitate group activities, meetings, and groups.
  
• Collaborate with the team to work within a harm reduction model of care for participants.
  
• Strong mentorship skills for other staff members.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Complete all charting and documentation clearly, concisely, and factually.
• Prepare reports on program effectiveness and community impact.
• Maintain accurate records of client interactions, program activities, and community engagement efforts.

Other Duties 

• Additional responsibilities as needed to support the community and uphold our shared values.
  

Working / Special Conditions 

• Initial and ongoing employment is subject to submission of a clear Criminal Record Review Program to ensure the safety and trust of the communities we serve. This check will be conducted every five years.
  
• Initial and ongoing commitment to the values and guidelines of Sq'éwqel (Seabird Island Band), including our policies, procedures, standards of practice, and laws, is essential. This commitment supports our collective work, the community, and the responsibilities of this role.
  
• Must possess a valid class 5 driver's license and have access to safe and reliable transportation, insured for community-based use, to effectively engage and support projects, work, and initiatives
• Flexibility in working hours may be required, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate the needs and schedules of clients and community needs. Employees will be given as much notice as possible to any changes in schedule.

What you bring 

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of First Nations traditional wellness practices, holistic health, and cultural protocols.
  
• Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences, Social Work, or a related field with a focus on First Nations health and wellness.
  
• Experience in program development, management, and evaluation.
• 2+ years of relevant experience working within First Nations communities, focusing on holistic wellness.
  
• Excellent communication, relationship-building skills and ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team and community members.

Preferred:

• First Nations candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Lived experience as a member of a First Nations community.
• Knowledge and understanding of Seabird Island’s culture, traditions, teachings, community dynamics.
• Ability to respond quickly and professionally to community or colleague needs and inquiries.
• Excellent writing, editing, charting and verbal communication skills.

Cultural Competency:

• Deep understanding of Indigenous cultures, traditions, and contemporary issues.
• Understanding of intergenerational trauma and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and communities.
  
• Experience working within Indigenous communities and applying culturally safe practices.

Benefits

• Extended health and dental benefits,
• Accrued vacation and sick time,
• Pension plan with matching employer contributions.

How To Apply

Have a question about this position before you apply? Email careers@seabirdisland.ca.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience, particularly in relation to Traditional and Holistic Wellness. Please include references that can speak to your experience and skills.

Pre-Employment Screening

Seabird Island is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize and value the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions that Indigenous people bring to our team. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous people. Pursuant to S. 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference may be given to applicants of First Nations, Métis, or Inuit heritage. We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in Canada; however, we are not able to sponsor visas.

Employment is conditional upon completing pre-employment screening to ensure a safe and secure work environment in which students, staff, members, families, community, as well as resources, and assets are protected. All background checks, reference checks and criminal record checks are performed in accordance with Seabird Island Human Resources Policy Manual, protecting the integrity and confidentiality of information gathered during the evaluation.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.