The Social Emergency Response Service (formerly Crisis Response Program) Contract Worker is mobilized into First Nations communities, who are served by Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, to provide crisis intervention and support to immediate families impacted by tragic incidents occurring within their family unit (e.g. suicide, homicide, tragic accidents etc). Contractual counsellors/traditional workers and volunteer teams from neighbouring communities travel into communities in crisis upon community request for support. The Social Emergency Response Service workers provide individual, family counselling and/or some may use a more traditional approach of support. They also will offer group debriefing to community members, leadership, service providers as requested. The contracted workers report to the Manager - Social Emergency Response Service.

The incumbent must be available to travel from within Northwestern Ontario on short notice to a community in crisis.

Nodin Mental Health Services has been providing mental health services to First Nations children, youth and families since 1994. It has a number of services to help strengthen mental health and addiction support; a resource available to all 33 First Nation communities served by SLFNHA; the majority very remote and reachable only through flight or winter roads.

• Preferably a Graduate or Undergraduate Degree in Psychology or Social Work with extensive clinical experience in the areas of crisis response; critical incidents and trauma
• Will consider a certificate or diploma in one of the mental health disciplines with the same clinical experience and/or those who use more of a traditional approach to healing
• Specialized courses in such areas as: crisis intervention, mental health assessment and intervention, suicide intervention, trauma informed care, grief and loss
• Experience in working with those experiencing crisis situations (e.g. suicide, homicide and other traumatic events)
• Excellent clinical assessment and crisis intervention/counselling skills
• Evidence of very sound assessment, organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to work well in stressful situations
• Innovative problem solving and decision making skills
• Experience with debriefing individuals and groups
• Excellent communication and interpersonal/team building skills with the ability to work well with all levels of community based staff and community members
• Must complete all program required documentation
• Ability to work well independently while also strong ability to work very closely with key community stakeholders
• Understanding of First Nations culture, history (i.e. intergenerational trauma), the geographic realities, mental health priorities and social conditions within remote First Nations’ communities
• Experience working with First Nations people and within northern communities is an asset
• Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations’ dialects of the Sioux Lookout region is an asset
• Ability to work flexible hours; must be willing to also travel on short notice and remain in a community typically five (days) or more.