Status: Full-time, permanent

Location: 449 Hill Street, London

Hours: 35 hours/week

Salary: $20-22.74 per hour

Paid Time Off: 3 weeks of vacation, plus sick days, spiritual/cultural leave, birthday

Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental and more

Pension: HOOPP (defined benefit plan)

Posting Date: September 24, 2025

Deadline: October 10, 2025

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) is a diverse, multiservice Indigenous health and wellness agency, who has extended its services in the field of early learning and child care. Guided and supported by the Journey Together Indigenous planning committee. SOAHAC is the operator and licensee of Nshwaasnangong.

Nshwaasnangong is a place for Indigenous young children and families to honour, rekindle, and express their identities as Indigenous Peoples; where kindness and compassion helps everyone to have a sense of belonging; where we nurture our well-being, while living in sync with community and all creation; where we engage deeply with questions and possibilities.

The Child Care at Nshwaasnangong offers licensed child care for up to 88 children ages 0-6 years of age old. The adjoining Family Centre is a place to connect with opportunities offered for young children, families and youth - including ceremonies, land-based learning, knowledge exchange and community supports.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Family Centre Supervisor, the Community Connector will represent Nshwaasnangong Child Care and Family Centre in the community with families and partners. The Community Connector role is critical to creating a welcoming, trusted place where children and families can access services easily and effectively. This is a position that requires extensive knowledge of all the programs and services available throughout the community, especially those within Indigenous organizations and within other Neighbourhood Child and Family Centres throughout the city.

Requirements

• A clear and solid understanding of the issues faced by the urban Indigenous community
• Experience supporting families in crisis
• Degree or Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Social Service Work, Indigenous Studies or other relevant area of study, preferred
• Genuinely committed to helping and supporting children and families
• Experience working in community
• One (1) year experience working with children is considered an asset
• Experience working in a First Nation community or Indigenous organization is considered an asset
• Demonstrated verbal, written and communication skills
• Proficient with the use of computers including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, OneNote) and internet usage, as well as any relevant educational software(s)
• Indigenous language learner is considered an asset
• Must be able to work occasional evenings/weekends when required
• Demonstrated customer service and program planning skills
• Access to reliable transportation
• Government-issued driver’s licence, auto insurance and clean driving history an asset
• Willingness to participate in Indigenous Cultural Safety Training, teachings and ceremonies
• First Aid and CPR Certificates
• Clean and current vulnerable sector police check as a condition of employment
• Up to date immunizations and records

Responsibilities

• First point of contact at Nshwaasnangong Family Centre
• Front desk duties, answering calls, answering front door, make families feel welcome, listen to their stories, answer their questions and help connect them to appropriate resources/services
• Assist families with program registrations, introduce the families to the program area/resources provided/facilitators and make referrals to specialized programs in the community as needed
• Coordinating Ashamaawaso (S/he Feeds A Child) Food Box & Diaper Bank Program
• Support managing social media accounts
• Monitoring and requesting program supplies as needed through Family Centre Supervisor
• Work continually at strengthening his/her ties with Nshwaasnangong Childcare and Family Centre’s partners, collaborating with other family centres, community-at-large, his/her fellow staff members, the Indigenous community, the parents, and children
• Role model Seven Grandfather Teachings through interactions & conversations with students, volunteers & community members
• Role model using a good mind
• Participating or planning in after-hours events as needed
• Assisting with administrative duties
• Updating community board and resources
• Other duties as required or assigned by the CEO; Director, Nshwaasnangong; Nshwaasnangong Child Care & Family Centre leadership team or delegate

This job may require additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre.

SOAHAC values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer; however, hiring preference will be given to qualified Indigenous applicants (please self-identify). SOAHAC is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require accommodation to apply or if selected to participate in an assessment process, please advise Human Resources.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please forward your cover letter and resume to:

Email: careers@soahac.on.ca

Subject line: Community Connector – Nshwaasnangong

Or mail to: Human Resources

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre

493 Dundas Street

London, ON N6B 3E1

Please visit Nshwaasnangong Child Care and Family Centre online at: www.nshwaasnangong.ca/ or like us on https://www.facebook.com/nshwaasnangong to learn more about us!

We thank all those for applying but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.