Choose Life Program Coordinator

CHOOSE LIFE PROGRAM COORDINATOR

The Choose Life Program Coordinator is responsible for planning and coordinating culturally grounded programs that support youth mental health, wellness, and life promotion in Long Lake #58 First Nation. Working with youth, families, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, staff, schools, and community partners, the Coordinator organizes sports, arts, workshops, cultural activities, and land-based learning that build confidence, resilience, positive identity, healthy lifestyles, hope, belonging, meaning, and purpose.

Duties and Responsibilities

· Coordinate the planning, scheduling, delivery, and evaluation of Choose Life programs and activities for youth and families.

· Develop program calendars and activity plans and arrange facilities, supplies, transportation, meals, consent forms, and staffing coverage.

· Plan, organize, and facilitate sports, arts, recreation, life-skills workshops, cultural activities, land-based learning, wellness initiatives, and community events.

· Ensure programming is culturally grounded, trauma-informed, strengths-based, youth-centered, inclusive, and aligned with community priorities.

· Build positive relationships with youth, provide encouragement and practical support, and incorporate youth interests, needs, and feedback into program planning.

· Connect youth and families with appropriate resources and report safety, crisis, abuse, neglect, or well-being concerns in accordance with policy and duty to report.

· Work with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, language speakers, and cultural supports to incorporate traditional teachings, language, culture, and land-based practices into programming.

· Collaborate with schools, health services, internal departments, families, and regional partners and promote awareness of Choose Life programming and youth wellness resources.

· Coordinate workers, volunteers, facilitators, vendors, and partners involved in activities by communicating schedules, roles, materials, and safety expectations.

· Maintain accurate and confidential records, including attendance, activity notes, consent forms, referrals, statistics, feedback, and follow-up actions, and contribute to program evaluation.

· Assist with budget tracking, purchase requests, invoices, travel, inventory, reporting, and other program administration.

· Ensure a healthy and safe working environment for staff, program participants, volunteers, vendors, and visitors.

· All other related duties, as assigned.

Accountability

The Choose Life Program Coordinator is accountable to, and is under the day-to-day supervision of, the Health Director.

Education and Skill Requirements

· Post-secondary education in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, Indigenous Studies, Psychology, Health, Recreation, Community Development, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

· 2+ years related experience coordinating and facilitating youth, community wellness, recreation, cultural, mental health, social service, or life-promotion programming.

· Understanding of First Nations culture, community values, traditional wellness, and the realities facing Indigenous youth; experience in a First Nation, remote, or northern setting is an asset.

· Training or experience in trauma-informed practice, crisis response, suicide prevention, youth mentorship, mental health support, or cultural safety is considered an asset.

· Must have a valid Ontario driver's licence and reliable access to a vehicle, or the ability to travel as required.

· Current First Aid/CPR certification, or willingness to obtain, and a clear Vulnerable Sector Check are required.

· Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills with youth, families, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, staff, community members, management, and partners.

· Strong ability to motivate, encourage, engage, and empower youth through supportive relationships and meaningful programming.

· Strong facilitation, planning, organization, time management, problem-solving, and event coordination skills.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, cultural sensitivity, and sound judgment when handling sensitive or crisis-related matters.

· Knowledge of youth mental health, life promotion, suicide prevention, trauma-informed practice, cultural safety, privacy, confidentiality, and duty to report.

· Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and record-keeping skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office, email, and basic reporting tools.

· Ability to take initiative, work independently, contribute to the program team, and coordinate workers or volunteers as assigned.

· Ability to openly assume additional responsibilities that may arise from the community administration, the Choose Life Program, and/or Chief and Council.

Location: Long Lake #58 First Nation

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From $40,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person