Trauma Informed Cultural Support Worker

Why make ONWA your career choice?

Make a difference in the lives of Indigenous peoples by supporting and advocating for positive change. ONWA prides itself on providing all employees with a total rewards package that is generous and supports our workforce and their family members:

• Competitive salaries
• Generous paid vacation time
• Paid time off at Christmas above paid vacation time
• Additional paid stat and civic holidays
• 35 hour work week 
• Comprehensive benefits program including health, paramedical, dental, vision and EAP. All premiums covered by the employer
• Healthcare Spending Account and Lifestyle Spending Account
• Participate in CAAT defined benefit pension plan and retire with secure lifetime retirement income
• Paid sick days
• Paid cultural/personal wellness days
• Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
• Ongoing professional development
  

VISION:

At the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA), we celebrate and honor the safety and healing of Indigenous Women and Girls as they take up their leadership roles in the family, community, provincially, nationally, and internationally for generations to come.

SCOPE:

The Trauma Informed Cultural Support Worker provides trauma-informed, culturally grounded, and wholistic support services to Indigenous women impacted by trauma, violence, family violence, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking. Reporting to the assigned Branch Manager, this role supports Indigenous women seeking safety, healing, stabilization, and recovery through culturally informed interventions, supportive counselling, advocacy, case management, and crisis response services.

The Trauma Informed Cultural Support Worker utilizes traditional teachings, ceremonies, cultural practices, holistic approaches, and Indigenous ways of knowing to support women in addressing both recent and historical trauma. The role works collaboratively with internal programs, community partners, law enforcement, service providers, and traditional knowledge holders to ensure women have access to coordinated wraparound supports that promote safety, wellness, healing, and long-term stability.

QUALIFICATIONS:

SKILLS:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Counselling, Social Sciences, Social Work, Indigenous Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience working with women impacted by trauma, violence, human trafficking, or exploitation.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience advocating for and supporting Indigenous women.
• Proven experience providing crisis intervention, conflict resolution, supportive counselling, and case management services.
• Demonstrated ability to assess risk, mediate conflict, and respond effectively to crisis situations.
• Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining service quality and responsiveness.
• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and community partnerships.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Office 365, databases, and related technologies.
• Ability to speak an Indigenous language is considered an asset.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and trauma recovery practices.
• Knowledge of trauma, mental health, substance use, addictions, and recovery-oriented support services.
• Knowledge of gender-based violence, family violence, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and systemic violence impacting Indigenous women.
• Understanding of integrated feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and culturally informed approaches to service delivery.
• Knowledge of mental health, wellness, substance use, addictions, and community-based healing approaches.
• Knowledge of Indigenous cultures, traditions, ceremonies, teachings, and cultural practices.
• Knowledge of Indigenous Gender-Based Analysis theory and methodology.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention, safety planning, risk assessment, stabilization practices, and supportive counselling approaches.
• Knowledge of community resources, referral pathways, social services, justice systems, and support programs available throughout Ontario.
• Knowledge of not-for-profit Indigenous organizations and community-based service delivery models.

Please know, this is an existing role we are looking to fill.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

If you would like to learn more about the job, please send us an email at hr@onwa.ca.