We are recruiting for the I’Y, I, EN (“Person with a Kind Mind”) position, within our Culturally Aligned Integrated Support (CAIS) team. This is a temporary position. 

Are you a self-starter with a passion for preparing nutritious meals and supporting Indigenous communities through culturally supportive care? The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society (ACEH) is seeking a Cook to support Family Members by creating healthy, welcoming, and culturally rooted meal experiences within our Culturally Supportive Housing program.

WHO WE ARE:
The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH) has a vision to lead long-term, systemic change to better meet the needs of our people living away from home and experiencing homelessness. Our work is centered on the voices of Indigenous peoples who have shared their immediate needs, lived experiences, and perspectives on solutions. Through research and experience, we have learned that a culturally supportive model of care is key, and strategies that include cultural supports provide better outcomes in terms of transitioning and sustaining housing for Indigenous people experiencing homelessness. Our goal is to build a culturally safe community and provide opportunities for reconnection to family and ancestral lands, culture, and tradition, to strengthen Indigenous identity and purpose.

Our Vision:
Our way is to care for all our people, from the youngest to the oldest. We are all one. Some of our people living away from home are suffering, isolated, and homeless. We stand together to end homelessness.

Application Submission:
You are required to submit a resume and cover letter that highlights Indigenous ancestry, Indigenous community/organization involvements, education, certification, relevant experience, and how your knowledge, skills, and abilities will support and contribute to the ACEH and our community through a cultural lens. Applications missing this will be automatically screened out of the selection process. Applications will be received until the position is filled. Only qualified candidates will be shortlisted and interviewed.

This position is open to all applicants. Preference will be given to qualified candidates with Indigenous ancestry. The ACEH values strength in diversity. As an inclusive employer that celebrates the gifts of all its employees, we encourage members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community to apply.

Job Details:

• Position Type: Part-Time (24 hours per week)
• Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
• Location: 833 Hillside Avenue, Victoria, BC
• Start Date: Conditional on receiving a clearance letter through the Criminal Records Review Program

Compensation:

• $27.81 per hour

Union Dues:
This position is included in the bargaining unit and requires union membership. For all hours worked at unionized sites, union dues will be deducted in accordance with the Collective Agreement.

Benefits:
For positions working 24+ hours per week:

• Employer-matched RRSP (up to 5%)
• Vacation accrued at 6% in accordance with the Collective Agreement
• 5 paid sick days per year
• Additional sick leave accrued at 1 day per month
• 3 unpaid personal days per year

• Prepare 3 meals per day to be served at times as outlined by the Kitchen and Garden Manager (as well as snacks and refreshments to be served throughout the evening) 
• Keep the kitchen clean, sanitary, and safe, following all health and safety guidelines
• Work with the House Manager to budget and project for supplies and food
• Maintain respectful, effective, open, and honest communication with the Family Members, co-workers, and Manager
• Model effective and appropriate communication with Family Members and co-workers
• Actively participate in all staff development and training sessions
• Work within the constraints of a limited food budget
• Create meals with food boxes that come weekly with varying produce, dairy, and protein products
• Focus on nutritious, healthy food while highlighting traditional ingredients and techniques
• Safely prepare food while working with different allergies, food sensitivities and restrictions
• Work with our food suppliers for orders, requests, and deals
• Maintain all standards of Personal Protective Equipment during COVID-19
• Performs other related duties as requested 

• Ability to multitask and push multiple projects to completion simultaneously
• Understanding of the intergenerational trauma that occurs because of colonization, Residential Schools, Sixties Scoop, and other oppressive systems as well as the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada 
• Ability to work in a holistic, professional, and non-judgmental manner as you are working with a broad range of personalities, needs, cultures, lived experiences and abilities. 

YOUTH CARE HOME: In 2023, ACEH opened the first Culturally Supportive Care Home in the Greater Victoria Area for Indigenous youth (ages 12-19) in the care of Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services with lived experience of homelessness, substance use, and/or exploitation. This program will provide 24/7 care, supporting youths’ physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Support will include three (3) meals per day; nutrition and care planning; Elder and Aunty/Uncle support; land-based healing; health and wellness programming; life skills mentorship; hygiene and clothing support; connection with community services and events; cultural and family connection; and much more. With over 60% of local unhoused Indigenous youth having experience with the foster care system, this program is critical in preventing adult homelessness through cultural and community connections. 

JOB SUMMARY: Reporting to the Youth Care Home Manager, the Youth Care Worker will provide a safe, non-judgmental, warm family space where Indigenous youth can develop a strong sense of Indigenous self-identity and purpose. They will also provide support across various areas, including cooking, cleaning, mentorship, transportation, programming, and property maintenance to ensure the youth are well cared for and supported in their development toward adulthood. 

Available Casual Role

Wage: $30.28 per hour. Additional $2.06 top-up applies to hours worked between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM.

Start Date: Conditional on satisfactory caregiver screening. 

Benefits for casual positions:

• 10.64% in lieu of vacation pay, statutory holiday pay, and benefits

• 5 paid sick days per calendar year

• 3 unpaid personal days per calendar year

Location: Saanich BC 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

      Ensure the safety and well-being of all youth in the program during night hours. 

      Enforce curfew and visitation policies and procedures. 

      Support youth with meeting goals outlined in their Care Plan: Educational, Financial, Employment, Familial, Cultural, Housing, Skills, Knowledge, Nutrition, and Substance Use. 

      Provide transportation to the hospital, community events, land-based healing, social events, youth cultural drop-in program at the Quadra Office, family visits etc. as required. 

      Upkeep of the property, including regular cleaning, mowing the lawn, shoveling the driveway, inventory, washing dishes, etc. 

      Plan and deliver weekly social evening activities. 

      Actively participate in all mandatory staff meetings and training sessions.

      Support the ACEH’s value of being a good neighbour. This includes building relationships, being respectful at all times, and minimizing disturbances (i.e., noise, parking issues)

      Outreach as needed to support the safety of all youth.  

      Provide conflict resolution between youth when required.

      Respond to emergencies in accordance with established policies and procedures (i.e., restraint use); communicate with appropriate staff, nurses, and First Responders. 

      Record case notes, incident reports, and other relevant information in the CAMS database in a timely manner. 

      Report to the designated contact at Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services as prescribed by the Community Care & Assisted Living Act (i.e., illness, administration of Naloxone, reportable incident etc.)

      Follow safety and security protocols with regular drills and briefings provided to all youth.  

      Medication administration and monitoring, in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Medication Safety and Advisory Committee. Please note this will only occur once the home is a Licensed Care Facility and that training will be provided for this function once it is in place.  

      Performs other related duties as requested.

REQUIREMENTS

·       Required post-secondary education and/or related training (i.e., Child and Youth Care, Social Services, Health Care Aide). Education and credentials will be valued only as much as work experience.  

·       Required caregiver screening by the Ministry of Child & Family Services’ Hub. Screening submission will include at a minimum, Consent for Disclosure of Criminal Record Information and Consent for Prior Contact Form. 

·       Required Valid First Aid and CPR from a course that meets the requirements of Schedule C. 

·       Required Naloxone Overdose Training from a certified healthcare professional.

·       Required Foodsafe Level 1 Equivalent.

·       A valid driver’s license, insurance, driver’s abstract, and dependable vehicle are required.

·       Preferred Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certification.

·       Compliance with BC’s Immunization and TB Control programs.

·       Three references: work-related from the past three years.

·       Experience or personal insights working cooperatively with Indigenous youth with lived experience and addictions considered an asset.

·       Experience working with non-profit organizations, family support, social services, and Indigenous support services considered an asset.

Skills and Abilities

·       Upholds a positive and encouraging demeanor, demonstrating flexibility and reliability.

·       Possesses excellent verbal communication and organizational skills.

·       Demonstrates the ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively within a team.

·       Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

·       Proficient in using computers. 

·       Ability to deal professionally, effectively, and non-judgmentally with people with lived experience.

·       Holds a progressive understanding of mental health challenges, chronic alcoholism, substance use, and addictions, recognizing their impacts on overall health, well-being, and quality of life.

·       Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the intergenerational trauma that occurs as a result of colonization and the residue of the Indian Act, Residential Schools, Sixties Scoop, and other oppressive systems and structures.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

WHO WE ARE: The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness (ACEH) has a vision to lead long-term, systemic change to better meet the needs of our people living away from home and experiencing homelessness. Our work is centered on the voices of Indigenous peoples who have shared their immediate needs, lived experiences, and perspectives on solutions. Through research and experience, we have learned that a culturally-supportive model of care is key, and strategies that include cultural supports provide better outcomes in terms of transitioning and sustaining housing for Indigenous people experiencing homelessness. Our goal is to build a culturally safe community and provide opportunities for reconnection to family and ancestral lands, culture, and tradition, to strengthen Indigenous identity and purpose. 

CAER HOME TEAM: House Manager, Elder(s), Aunty/Uncle, Outreach Worker, Youth Programs Manager, Land-Based Healing Manager, HR, Director of Housing Operations, Executive Director

This Youth Care Worker will be required to work within a fast-paced, often changing and sometimes stressful environment. There will be instances when the Youth Care Worker must work with youth in crises. Flexibility is key. The ability to function independently under pressure while managing situations, including emergencies, is an ongoing expectation. A thorough understanding of personal self-care and self-management will be necessary, and applicants need to pre-assess their ability to work 12-hour shifts under these circumstances.

ACEH is an Indigenous-led, non-profit housing provider dedicated to supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Our work centers cultural safety, Indigenized harm reduction, and community-driven solutions.

Our Vision: Our way is to care for all our people, from the youngest to the oldest. We are all one. Some of our people living away from home are suffering, isolated and homeless. We stand together to end homelessness.

Job Details:

Position Type: Part-Time

Start Date: Contingent on receiving a Clearance Letter through the Criminal Record Check Review Program

Compensation and Benefits:

• $32.84–$42.79 per hour
• 6% vacation pay (banked)
• Five (5) paid sick days per calendar year, plus additional sick leave credits accrued monthly
• 5% RRSP employer matching
• 100% employer-paid extended health benefits after successful completion of the probationary period

About the Role:
As an LPN, you will play a key role in supporting the health, wellness, and stability of Family Members across ACEH housing sites. This includes clinical care, outreach, and collaboration with our Registered Nurse (RN), internal teams and external service providers to ensure wrap-around support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build trusting, holistic relationships with Family Members through compassionate, non-judgmental engagement
• Provide nursing care and health assessments, including monitoring physical and mental health
• Administer and support medication management within scope of practice, including documentation and monitoring outcomes
• Collaborate with support workers to assess needs and coordinate wellness checks
• Work with internal teams and external partners to provide coordinated, wrap-around care in the community
• Provide harm reduction support, health education, and guidance related to substance use, chronic conditions and overall wellbeing
• Support case management and advocacy, including navigating healthcare systems and community resources
• Respond to medical emergencies, including overdose response, and liaise with EHS and site leadership
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation
• Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, and conflict resolution support
• Support participation in cultural programming as it relates to health and wellness
• Contribute to maintaining a safe and healthy living environment, including infection prevention and control

Qualifications & Requirements:

Required:

• Current Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) registration with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
• Minimum of two (2) years of nursing experience, preferably working with vulnerable populations
• Current CPR (C) and Standard First Aid certification
• Ability to complete a Criminal Record Check for working with vulnerable adults

Preferred:

• Experience working with Indigenous peoples and/or relevant Indigenous education or training
• Naloxone Overdose Prevention Training
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) Certification
• Food Safe Certification
• Experience in harm reduction, mental health, and substance use care
• Experience working in non-profit, housing, or community-based healthcare settings

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of mental health, substance use, and complex care needs 
• Ability to provide holistic, culturally safe, and non-judgmental care 
• Experience in clinical assessment, critical thinking, and health care decision-making  
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work both independently and collaboratively 
• Strong communication and documentation skills to support interdisciplinary care 
• Commitment to trauma-informed practice understanding harm reduction.