Navigator Maternal Health & Women's Wellness

Position Summary

Seabird Island is committed to providing culturally safe, inclusive health and wellness services that honour and respect Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and ways of being. The Navigator supports women, mothers, and families by reducing barriers and fostering access to maternal health, pregnancy care, infant wellness, and women’s health services. Using a person-centered, culturally safe, trauma-informed, and decolonized approach, this role focuses on connection, outreach, and empowerment during critical life stages such as pregnancy, postpartum, and early childhood.

Under the direction of the Department Manager of Community and Family Wellness, the Navigator ensures women and families can access maternal and child health programs, prenatal and postnatal care, infant wellness services, and other supports that strengthen family wellbeing. While navigation and outreach are the primary responsibilities, the Navigator may assist with clinical coordination and case management duties as directed by the Department Manager of Community and Family Wellness.

What You'll Do

Navigation & Support

• Act as the first point of contact for inquiries about services and supports, providing guidance, assistance and support to reduce barriers to accessing services offered by Seabird Island or by external providers, with a focus on maternal health, pregnancy, infant care, and women’s wellness services, as well as other services and supports, such as health, housing, education, social, community groups, trainings, events, resources, etc.
• Assess needs, priorities, and service eligibility of individuals and families, with attention to maternal health, pregnancy, infant care, and women’s wellness services.
• Identify barriers that may prevent individuals from accessing care, such as transportation, financial constraints, or fear of seeking services, and assist in finding solutions.
• Develop short-term plans to connect clients to appropriate services and supports.
• Assist with practical tasks such as completing forms, referrals, and applications.
• As necessary, engage in home visits and community-based meetings to provide direct support to women and families who may have barriers to accessing care. 
  
  

Referrals

• Actively follow up on referrals to obtain updates and facilitate smooth transitions between internal and external services and timely access to services.
• Follow up with clients (who are awaiting referral or connection to services) regularly to check on their wellbeing, monitor progress, and offer additional resources as needed and available.
  
  

Outreach & Community Connection

• Provide on-the-ground outreach in high-need areas, engaging individuals who may not actively seek help but require support.
• Engage in proactive outreach to connect with families and community members.
• As requested by the Department Manager, plan, support, and attend events and meetings to engage with community.
• Build strong relationships within the community to promote trust and awareness of available services. o
• Act as a bridge between families and service providers, ensuring culturally safe and respectful interactions.
  
  

Education & Empowerment

• Promote self-navigation and advocacy skills among community members.
• Provide education on available programs and systems in a way that respects cultural identity and lived experiences. 
• Empower families to make informed decisions that enhance resilience and stability.
• Support the development of materials, resources, and guides to support self-navigation and active awareness of services within and outside the community.
• Provide education on pregnancy care, infant wellness, and women’s health in a way that respects cultural identity and lived experiences. 
• Empower women and families to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.
• Support development of resources and guides for self-navigation of maternal and child health services.
  
  

Collaboration

• As requested by the Department Manager of Community and Family Wellness, work closely with internal teams and external partners to streamline referrals and communication to provide wrap around care.
• As requested by the Department manager, participate in community initiatives that strengthen women, family and child well-being as well as navigation and service accessibility.
  
  

Case Management (As Required) 

• Support or perform case management duties when directed by the Department Manager of Community and Family Wellness, ensuring alignment with standards of care.
  
  

Administration and Reporting

• Maintain a strong understanding of the services and support available to our clients, both internal and external.  Track client contacts, attachments, referral status, KPI’s, and ensure contacts are documented.
• Report on activities as required by the Department Manager of Community and Family Wellness.

Other Duties

• Additional responsibilities as needed to support the community and uphold our shared values.

Working / Special Conditions

• Initial and ongoing employment is subject to submission of a clear Criminal Record Check to ensure the safety and trust of the communities we serve. This check will be conducted every five years.
• Initial and ongoing commitment to the values and guidelines of Sq'éwqel (Seabird Island Band), including our policies, procedures, standards of practice, and laws, is essential. This commitment supports our collective work, the community, and the responsibilities of this role.
• Must possess a valid class 5 driver's license and have access to safe and reliable transportation, insured for community-based use, to effectively engage and support projects, work, and initiatives. · 
• Flexibility in working hours may be required, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate the needs and schedules of clients and community needs. Employees will be given as much notice as possible to any changes in schedule.

What You'll Bring

Qualifications

Education:

• Diploma or degree in Maternal Child Health, Nursing, Social Services, or Health.
• Service navigation training or related field (or equivalent experience).

Experience:

• 3 years’ experience in maternal health, pregnancy care, infant wellness, or women’s health services preferred.
• Knowledge of culturally safe, trauma-informed, and decolonized practices, with an understanding of Indigenous traditions and health approaches.
• Comfort with outreach, home visits, and community engagement.
• Experience in a client-facing role withing a First Nations community.
• Excellent customer service, conflict management, communication, relationship building, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred:

• Indigenous candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Lived experience as a member of a First Nations community.
• Knowledge and understanding of Seabird Island’s culture, traditions, teachings, community dynamics.
• Ability to respond quickly and professionally to community or colleague needs and inquiries.
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable conducting outreach, including home visits and community engagement.

Cultural Competency:

• Deep understanding of Indigenous cultures, traditions, and contemporary issues.
• Experience working within Indigenous communities and applying culturally safe practices.
• Understanding of intergenerational trauma and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and communities.

Core Competencies:

• Ethical: Maintains and promotes individual and organizational integrity and values in all activities.

• Flexible/Adaptable: Maintains effectiveness in diverse work environments characterized by changing circumstances and shifting priorities, displaying adaptability and resilience.

• Excellent Communication and Relationship-Building Skills: Ability to establish trust with clients, families, and service providers while effectively advocating for individuals in need.

• Cultural Competency: Deep understanding of Indigenous cultures, traditions, and contemporary issues, ensuring culturally safe and respectful interactions.

• Analysis of Data: Diligently examines and organizes referral logs, waitlists, and service records to track client progress and improve service delivery.

How to Apply

• Have a question about this role before you apply? Email careers@seabirdisland.ca.
• Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter sharing how your experience aligns with this role.

Pre-Employment Screening 

Seabird Island is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize and value the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions that Indigenous people bring to our team. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous people. Pursuant to S. 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference may be given to applicants of First Nations, Métis, or Inuit heritage. We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in Canada; however, we are not able to sponsor visas.

Employment is conditional upon completing pre-employment screening to ensure a safe and secure work environment in which students, staff, members, families, community, as well as resources, and assets are protected. All background checks, reference checks and criminal record checks are performed in accordance with Seabird Island Human Resources Policy Manual, protecting the integrity and confidentiality of information gathered during the evaluation.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.