Community Healing Coordinator

Job summary

Coordinate culturally safe community crisis supports and advance the Healing Through Loss Framework through engagement, implementation planning, partnerships, and shared learning. Build community and workforce capacity, support wellness initiatives, and monitor progress and emerging needs through feedback, evaluation, and reporting.

Job details

JOB DESCRIPTION – COMMUNITY HEALING COORDINATOR POSITION SUMMARY Potlotek First Nation is seeking a compassionate, experienced, and community-focused Community Healing Coordinator to support community wellness, healing, crisis preparedness, and coordinated responses to grief, loss, and trauma. The Community Healing Coordinator will work closely with Potlotek leadership, the Health Department, community members, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, wellness professionals, and other community programs to strengthen culturally safe, trauma-informed, and community-led approaches to healing and wellness. Recognizing that community wellness is strengthened through collaboration, the Coordinator will also develop and maintain partnerships with Tajikeimɨk Mi’kmaw Health and Wellness, the Tajikeimɨk Mental Wellness Team, Health Directors and wellness teams from the 13 Mi’kmaq communities, regional service providers, and other Indigenous and community-based partners. The Coordinator will support Potlotek’s participation in the Healing Through Loss Framework and related regional initiatives while ensuring that activities undertaken within Potlotek reflect the community’s priorities, culture, strengths, and identified needs. This position will help strengthen community capacity, resilience, workforce wellness, and crisis readiness while supporting culturally grounded approaches to grief, loss, trauma, and healing. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Community Crisis Response and Coordination Coordinate information, resources, and culturally safe supports that can be accessed by Potlotek community members and frontline staff during crisis situations. Serve as a key point of contact for community programs and frontline workers seeking assistance related to crisis, grief, loss, trauma, and wellness. Work collaboratively with Health leadership and community partners to identify immediate, short-term, and long-term wellness and crisis-response needs. Assist with coordinating appropriate internal and external resources during significant community events or crises. Support the development and ongoing improvement of community crisis-response and healing plans. Healing Through Loss Framework Work collaboratively with the Healing Through Loss Tajikeimɨk Lead and other partners to support Potlotek’s participation in the development and implementation of the Healing Through Loss Framework. Facilitate community engagement sessions, planning meetings, and follow-up activities. Ensure Potlotek’s priorities, experiences, strengths, and cultural perspectives are represented in regional planning and implementation. Promote culturally grounded approaches to grief, loss, traditional healing, resilience, and community wellness. Support community access to appropriate Mi’kmaq and regional healing resources. Partnerships and Community Engagement Build and maintain respectful relationships with Potlotek leadership, Health Department staff, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, and community programs. Maintain collaborative relationships with Tajikeimɨk Mi’kmaw Health and Wellness, the Tajikeimɨk Mental Wellness Team, Health Directors and wellness teams across the 13 Mi’kmaq communities, regional service providers, and other partners. Serve as a liaison between Potlotek and regional partners on matters related to community healing, crisis response, and mental wellness. Participate in regional meetings, working groups, and Communities of Practice where appropriate. Promote knowledge sharing, collaboration, and coordinated approaches to community wellness while respecting Potlotek’s priorities and community autonomy. Capacity Building and Education Work with Potlotek programs, community members, and regional partners to identify opportunities to strengthen community healing and wellness capacity. Identify training, education, coaching, mentorship, and resource-sharing opportunities for community staff and frontline workers. Assist in developing culturally relevant educational materials, tools, and community resources. Promote trauma-informed, culturally safe, and community-led approaches to grief, crisis, loss, and healing. Support opportunities for knowledge sharing between Potlotek, other Mi’kmaq communities, and regional partners. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Identify emerging community needs, service gaps, and opportunities for improvement. Maintain appropriate records of community engagement, activities, implementation progress, and outcomes. Gather feedback from community members, staff, and partners to support continuous improvement. Prepare reports, briefing materials, recommendations, and program updates for Potlotek leadership and funding or program partners as required. Support evaluation of initiatives and recommend adjustments based on community feedback and outcomes. Workforce Wellness and Community of Practice Collaborate with the Tajikeimɨk Mental Wellness Team and other partners on appropriate workforce wellness initiatives. Participate in Communities of Practice involving wellness staff, crisis workers, and frontline helpers from Mi’kmaq communities. Promote peer learning, mentorship, collaboration, and professional support. Support strategies addressing vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, psychological safety, and workplace stress. Work with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community partners to strengthen culturally grounded approaches to staff wellness, self-care, reflective practice, resilience, and crisis preparedness. ABOUT YOU Education & Experience Degree or diploma in Social Work, Public Health, Community Development, Indigenous Studies, Mental Health and Addictions, Human Services, or another related field. An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may also be considered. Minimum 2–3 years of relevant experience in community wellness, mental health, crisis response, Indigenous health, community development, or a related field. Experience working respectfully and collaboratively with Indigenous communities, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, and service partners. Experience supporting community engagement, program development, crisis response, or wellness initiatives is considered an asset. Knowledge Strong understanding of mental wellness, grief and loss, trauma-informed practice, crisis response, suicide prevention/intervention principles, and community healing. Knowledge and respect for Mi’kmaq culture, traditions, values, and approaches to healing and wellness. Understanding of culturally safe and community-led service delivery. Knowledge of the Mi’kmaq language is considered an asset. Skills & Abilities Strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with community members, leadership, health and wellness teams, service providers, and external partners. Ability to facilitate sensitive conversations involving grief, loss, trauma, and community wellness. Strong organizational, planning, documentation, and reporting skills. Ability to coordinate multiple activities and partnerships while maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries. Ability to evaluate programs and activities and adjust approaches based on community feedback and outcomes. Ability and willingness to travel throughout Nova Scotia as required. Valid driver’s licence and access to reliable transportation. Preferred Qualifications Knowledge of Indigenous-led research and evaluation approaches and Indigenous data sovereignty. Familiarity with the L’nu’k Mental Wellness and Healing Framework and related Mi’kmaq wellness initiatives. Experience incorporating Mi’kmaq cultural practices, traditional activities, and healing approaches into community wellness initiatives. Demonstrated commitment to cultural integrity, community empowerment, and Mi’kmaq self-determination. Additional Requirements Satisfactory criminal record check and vulnerable sector check, where required. Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately manage sensitive community and personal information. Salary will be negotiated based on qualifications and experience. HOW TO APPLY Interested applicants are invited to submit: Cover letter outlining how their education, experience, and skills meet the requirements of the position • Current résumé • Three professional references Please submit applications to: Robert Wolfe Human Resources Potlotek First Nation rwolfe@potlotek.ca Application Deadline: October 7, 2026 Tentative Interview Date: October 14, 2026 We appreciate all expressions of interest; however, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

What you’ll do

Coordinate culturally safe community crisis supports and advance the Healing Through Loss Framework through engagement, implementation planning, partnerships, and shared learning. Build community and workforce capacity, support wellness initiatives, and monitor progress and emerging needs through feedback, evaluation, and reporting.

Requirements

A degree in Social Work, Public Health, Community Development, Indigenous Studies, Mental Health and Addictions, or a related field is requested, along with at least 2–3 years of relevant experience. Candidates should understand mental wellness, grief, loss, trauma-informed care, crisis response, and L’nu culture; strong collaboration and facilitation skills, a valid driver’s licence, and willingness to travel throughout Nova Scotia are also required.

Listed skills

• Facilitation · Preferred
• Reporting · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Community Crisis Response
• Mental Wellness
• Grief and Loss Support
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Community Engagement
• Facilitation
• Partnership Development
• Culturally Safe Service Delivery
• Program Evaluation
• Reporting
• Workforce Wellness
• Community Capacity Building
• Indigenous Health
• Crisis Preparedness
• Communication
• Knowledge Sharing
• Report Writing
• Trauma Informed Approaches
• Data Sovereignty
• Indigenous Studies
• Resilience
• Cultural Responsiveness
• Compassion
• Planning
• Educational Materials
• Mental Health
• Social Work
• Community Development
• Public Health
• Continuous Improvement Process
• Crisis Management
• Empowerment
• Leadership
• Psychology
• Mentorship
• Research Methodologies
• Reflective Practice
• Coaching
• Suicide Intervention
• Vicarious Traumatization
• Collaboration
• Coordinating
• Trauma Care

Job areas

• Social Services
• Healthcare
• Management & Leadership
• Community Coordinator
• Community / Political Organizer
• Policy and Planning Managers
• Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other

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