Native Liaison Officer (NILO) – Community Wellbeing Branch

Internal/External
Full-time/Term (9-Months)
Location: Thorold or Niagara Falls, Ontario
Remote Work: Fixed (Niagara Detention Center)
Closes: July 31, 2022
Starting Salary: $65,000.

All applicants are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to qualified applicants who meet the requirements for MNO Citizenship as per the MNO Bylaws and who are in good standing.

What We Offer

As an employer, the Métis Nation of Ontario offers a collaborative work environment with competitive salary.

Further, contract employees benefit from:

• Optional pension plan,
• 4% vacation pay,
• 16 paid public and employer holidays,
• 15 paid health & wellness days (sick leave),
• Employee Assistance Plan, and
• Telemedicine plan.
• Preferred membership pricing at Goodlife gyms.

The Role

To assist Indigenous adult male clients serving terms of imprisonment at Niagara Detention Center in their successful reintegration into the community by providing culturally relevant programs, services and activities aimed at promoting Indigenous healing and wellness. The Native Liaison Officer (NILO) will address the unique needs of Indigenous clients within the “healing continuum” through support and services that promote healthy functioning with all aspects of their lives and their communities.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• To provide support, assistance and rehabilitative care to Indigenous clients by offering cultural counselling and follow-up services and community resource information including referral and liaison services.
• To provide the necessary cultural and spiritual resources required to deliver healing and wellness activities such as e.g. sweat lodge ceremonies, healing circles, smudging, drumming which will include where necessary Elders and other resource people as well as gathering and supplying the traditional ceremonial medicines for Client use.
• To provide liaison services between Indigenous clients and the community to ensure access to resources aimed at meeting their educational, employment, housing, health or other identified needs.
• Provide Indigenous Awareness Training for Staff to encourage their awareness and understanding of Indigenous Culture.
• Plan, organize and facilitate Indigenous Programs and activities on a regular basis, providing an itinerary of events as requested by the institution.
• Complete a NILO Programming Intake form on all offenders, record all Client contact information on the NILO Client Contact sheet and submit monthly statistics on the NILO Statistics form. Provide names of offenders involved in the program(s) including smudging activities to ensure staff are aware of participants.
• Attend and participate in meetings at the institution such as Staff meetings, Case Conferences, Program committee meetings, Temporary Absence Committee meetings and other meetings as requested.
• Interview all Indigenous clients upon admission to inform them of programs and services available.
• Develop, coordinate and maintain regular cultural programs and cultural, social and spiritual activities that focus on positive personal growth.
• Prepare and submit regular reports and statistics pertaining to programs, activities and clients to the Superintendent or designate and agency Executive Director as required.
• Provide offender counselling and assistance to Indigenous clients who wish to practice traditional ways (i.e. seasonal feasts, sweet grass ceremonies, sweat lodge ceremonies, spiritual guidance), and attend interfaith meetings within the institution where applicable and coordinate activities with Chaplain Services.
• Other reasonable duties as may be assigned

Qualifications

• Strong desire to act in the service of the Métis Citizens, to advance and uphold rights and culture
• 40 hours per week, normally 8:30 am-4:30 pm Mon-Fri with the possibility of Saturday’s on occasion to support clients.
• Work conducted onsite within institution
• Identifying and assessing impact and opportunities of changing landscape (political, economic, environmental, cultural, social or demographic)
• Attend operational meetings as directed by management within the institution as well as MNO,
• Writing reports, briefing notes, presentation materials
• Liaising with programs and services as required.
• Strong desire to act in the service of all Indigenous Peoples including Métis Citizens, to advance and uphold rights and culture
• Completion of education or training and/or pertinent cultural experience
• Advanced communications skills, both written and verbal
• Superior crisis intervention and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing demands and assess changing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to assess situations and problem-solve independently
• Demonstrated ability to work alone/independently with minimal supervision
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively with colleagues and management.
• Previous 3-5 years or more experience
• Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire and expand knowledge and to be flexible in a demanding and dynamic environment

Preferred:

• Knowledge of Métis-specific and broader indigenous key challenges, and programs.
• Recognized as a knowledge holder within their Indigenous community
• Knowledge of Métis-specific and broader indigenous key challenges, and programs

Positions at the MNO may require the following:

1. Current CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain
2. REQUIRED: Completion and maintenance of Vulnerable Sector Verification
3. REQUIRED: Completion of Ministry Security Clearance
4. A reliable vehicle (or ability to rent), driver’s licence, $1,000,000 liability insurance, and a clean driving record
5. Flexibility to work extended hours as necessary
6. Ability to occasionally travel within Ontario for limited periods of time

Who We Are

In 1993, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) was established through the will of Métis people and Métis communities coming together throughout Ontario to create a Métis-specific governance structure and vision, encapsulated in the Statement of Prime Purpose. Today, the Métis Nation of Ontario represents over 25,000 Métis citizens.

The MNO delivers programs and services to its citizens through these branches: Healing and Wellness; Community Wellbeing; Education and Training; Housing; Lands, Resources and Consultation; Intergovernmental and Community Relations; Self-Government and Registry. Through these various branches, the MNO maintains 30+ offices and community spaces across the province, administers over $50 million annually, and employs about 350 staff across the province.

AODA Statement

The Métis Nation of Ontario commits to providing accommodation as required by the Ontario Human Rights Act, unless to do so would cause undue hardship. Accommodations will be provided in accordance with the principles of dignity, individualization, and inclusion. The Métis Nation of Ontario will work cooperatively and in the spirit of respect with all partners in the accommodation process. These accommodations will extend to all aspects of the employment relationship including recruitment and selection.

Please email humanresources@metisnation.org if you require an accommodation during the hiring process.

Please note, all employees, regardless of role or location, are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless the employee has a valid medical exemption.  This condition of employment is effective for all employees, full or part-time, permanent or contract, whether working remotely or not, as of November 1, 2021.