Bradley Creek Wildfire Recovery & Resiliency Lead
Okanagan Indian Band
KʷU KʷLIW̓T L̓ NQMAPLQS | WE LIVE AT HEAD OF THE LAKE
Located within the unceded territory of the syilx people, the Okanagan Indian Band is comprised of six reserves located in the North Okanagan.
Come join the OKIB Team and enjoy all that the beautiful Okanagan Valley has to offer, including a great climate, stunning scenery, world-class ski resorts, golf courses, wineries and beaches.
The OKIB offers a welcoming team environment and a rewarding job experience. You can expect a supportive work environment and a total compensation package which includes:
- 6% Vacation Pay
- Extended Health and Dental Benefits
- 15 Statutory Holidays
- Paid Winter Holiday Break
- Discounted Silver Star lift passes
- Cultural Leave
- 15 Paid Sick Days
- Paid Personal Leave
- Employee Assistance Program
Hours of work:
37.5 hours per week
Start Date:
ASAP
Deadline for applications:
September 2, 2026
JOB SUMMARY
The Recovery and Resilience Lead provides leadership, coordination, and oversight for Okanagan Indian Band's holistic recovery and mental wellness programming in response to the 2026 wildfire recovery efforts. The position is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive recovery and resilience program that supports the emotional, mental, cultural, social, and spiritual wellbeing of community members and families impacted by wildfire-related trauma, loss, and disruption.
Working collaboratively across OKIB departments, community partners, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, cultural service providers, and external mental health professionals, the Recovery and Resilience Lead ensures integrated, culturally safe, trauma-informed, and strengths-based supports are available to meet the evolving needs of community members throughout their recovery journey.
The Recovery and Resilience Lead provides leadership and supervision to recovery staff, contractors, and mental health service providers; coordinates community-based wellness initiatives; develops partnerships and referral pathways; monitors program outcomes; and ensures services align with community priorities, cultural values, and OKIB strategic recovery objectives.
REPORTING STRUCTURE
Reports to the Recovery Manager/Executive Director.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Leadership and Strategic Coordination
- Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of a holistic recovery and resilience program for individuals, families, and the broader community.
- Develop short-term, medium-term, and long-term mental wellness recovery strategies that address wildfire-related impacts.
- Establish service priorities and coordinate integrated approaches to support community recovery.
- Ensure all services are trauma-informed, culturally safe, client-centered, and aligned with Syilx values and community wellness priorities.
- Monitor emerging recovery trends, identify service gaps, and recommend program improvements.
- Prepare reports, program updates, and recommendations for leadership and funding partners.
- Track program outcomes, utilization, and performance indicators to support continuous improvement and accountability.
Leadership and Supervision
- Provide leadership, mentorship, supervision, and support to Recovery and Resilience Workers and related staff.
- Coordinate the activities of term employees, contractors, cultural service providers, and mental health professionals engaged in recovery programming.
- Facilitate regular team meetings, case consultations, debriefing sessions, and wellness supports for staff.
- Support staff development through coaching, training, performance feedback, and professional growth opportunities.
- Promote healthy workplace practices and support staff wellbeing when responding to complex and emotionally demanding situations.
Mental Health and Clinical Service Coordination
- Coordinate and oversee the delivery of mental health and wellness supports available to community members.
- Establish and maintain relationships with counsellors, psychologists, social workers, Indigenous wellness practitioners, and other mental health specialists.
- Develop referral pathways and service agreements with internal and external providers.
- Ensure timely access to mental health services for community members experiencing trauma, grief, stress, anxiety, depression, or other recovery-related challenges.
- Participate in complex case reviews and coordinate multidisciplinary supports where necessary.
- Ensure confidentiality, ethical practices, and adherence to relevant professional standards.
Cultural Wellness and Community Connections
- Work collaboratively with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and cultural practitioners to integrate cultural healing approaches into recovery programming.
- Support the development and delivery of cultural wellness activities, healing gatherings, land-based programming, and traditional practices that promote resilience and recovery.
- Foster meaningful connections between mental wellness services and cultural identity, community belonging, and traditional knowledge.
- Ensure services reflect OKIB's commitment to cultural safety, self-determination, and community-driven healing.
Community Outreach and Partnership Development
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with government agencies, health authorities, Indigenous organizations, community service agencies, and recovery partners.
- Represent OKIB at recovery planning tables, working groups, and interagency meetings.
- Coordinate community education and awareness initiatives focused on resilience, wellness, trauma recovery, and available supports.
- Facilitate access to resources and services that strengthen long-term recovery and community wellbeing.
Case Coordination and Complex Support Services
- Provide direct support and consultation in high-risk, complex, or sensitive situations.
- Assist staff with complex recovery planning and service coordination.
- Support community members and families experiencing multiple barriers or requiring coordination across multiple service systems.
- Ensure appropriate documentation, follow-up, referral management, and case coordination practices are maintained.
Program Administration and Compliance
- Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and service delivery standards for recovery and resilience programming.
- Manage program documentation, reporting requirements, service contracts, and funding-related obligations.
- Ensure compliance with OKIB policies, privacy requirements, data governance standards, and applicable funding agreements.
- Monitor budgets related to wellness and recovery programming and provide recommendations regarding resource allocation.
Team Participation and Emergency Response
- Participate as a member of the Recovery Management Team.
- Support ongoing recovery planning and emergency preparedness initiatives.
- Assist in coordinating emergency wellness and psychosocial supports during future emergency events.
- All persons employed by the Okanagan Indian Band may be required to assist the Band in providing emergency services. Duties assigned during an emergency may differ from regular duties.
- Perform all duties in accordance with OKIB policies and procedures.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR
You have education, experience, or an equivalent combination may be considered. You are community-minded, detail-oriented, have a willingness to contribute to a team and an excellent communicator.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Counselling, Human Services, Indigenous Studies, Community Development, Health Sciences, or a related discipline. A master’s degree is considered an asset. A combination of education lived experience and community knowledge is preferred.
- Training in trauma-informed practice, crisis response, mental health, community wellness, or disaster recovery is preferred.
- Valid Class 5 BC Driver's Licence.
- Access to a reliable vehicle and current vehicle liability insurance.
Experience
- Previous experience in mental health, wellness, community services, Indigenous health, disaster recovery, or related fields.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and coordinating complex service delivery programs.
- Experience working with First Nations communities and Indigenous peoples, with knowledge of Syilx culture and traditions considered a strong asset.
- Experience supervising staff, contractors, or community-based service providers.
- Experience working within trauma-informed, culturally safe, and strengths-based practice frameworks.
- Experience developing partnerships and coordinating services across multiple organizations and sectors.
- Experience with program planning, implementation, evaluation, and reporting.
Competencies (KSAs & Desired Attributes)
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- Knowledge of mental health recovery, trauma-informed practice, grief support, and community resilience.
- Understanding of Indigenous wellness approaches and culturally grounded healing practices.
- Ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Excellent conflict resolution, communication, facilitation, and public engagement skills.
- Strategic thinking and program development expertise.
- Strong case consultation and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage complex situations with professionalism and sound judgment.
- Commitment to cultural humility, confidentiality, and ethical practice.
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
- Ability to inspire trust, foster resilience, and support community healing.
CLASSIFICATION/PAY SCALE
$35.00 - $42.00 per hour dependent upon education and experience.
Please send resume, cover letter and references in any one of two ways:
Email: recruiting@okanagan.org
Mail or drop off: 12420 Westside Road, Vernon, BC V1H 2A4
If you have accessibility needs, please contact Hollie Lachuk @ 250-542-4328 ext. 1011
The successful applicant will be required to provide a Criminal Record Check that includes the vulnerable sector and three references
Preference will be given to qualified Aboriginal Applicants as per section 41 of the Human Rights Code.
