Halfway River First Nation was originally located on the Chowade River (Known as the Stoney River by elders). Through a relocation into IR 168, Halfway River First Nation became situated where they are today, north of the Halfway River approximately 75km northwest of Fort St John. Halfway River First Nation continues to forge ahead protecting and respecting their land and history while developing further opportunities for their people.
With approximately 50 employees, Halfway River First Nation is a self-governed, community-focused organization that values employees who are committed to collaboration, cultural respect, and community development. The Nation encourages a workplace rooted in mutual respect, accountability, and a shared vision for sustainable growth and prosperity for future generations.
Why Join Our Team?
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced health leader to make a meaningful and lasting impact by strengthening and advancing a community-based Health & Wellness Department.
The Manager will play a key role in expanding access to healthcare, developing innovative programs, strengthening partnerships, supporting employees, securing sustainable resources, and helping shape a future where community members receive comprehensive, culturally safe, and responsive health and wellness services close to home.
This is an opportunity to take an established Health & Wellness portfolio to the next level—strengthening the systems and services already in place while creating new opportunities that respond to the Nation's evolving needs and long-term vision for community wellness.
The Manager of Health & Wellness is a senior executive-level leadership position responsible for providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and direction for the continued growth and advancement of the Nation's Health & Wellness Department. This position requires a strategic and visionary leader who can build upon the department's existing foundation, strengthen systems and practices, and identify opportunities to expand and elevate health and wellness services. The Manager will ensure the department continues to evolve in accordance with current professional standards, emerging best practices, funding opportunities, community priorities, and culturally grounded approaches to Indigenous health and wellness.
Working collaboratively with Chief and Council, the Band Manager, senior leadership, employees, community members, Elders, healthcare providers, government agencies, Indigenous health organizations, and community partners, the Manager will advance an integrated and holistic approach to health, wellness, family support, elder care, prevention, and community care.
Directly Supervises:
- Community Nurse
- Elder Care Coordinator
- Community Health Representative (CHR)
- Workshop Coordinator
- Family Support Worker
- Social Development Coordinator
- Administrative Assistant / Medical Travel Coordinator
The Health & Wellness Department may expand over time as new programs and services are developed, including potential mental health programming, childcare, on-site clinic pharmacy, and other community wellness initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Senior Leadership & Health & Wellness Direction
- Provide strategic leadership and overall direction for the Health & Wellness Department.
- Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team and contribute to organizational planning, decision-making, and strategic priorities.
- Work closely with Chief and Council and senior leadership to advance the Nation's long-term health and wellness vision.
- Ensure programs and services reflect the Nation's priorities, values, and vision for community wellness.
- Lead the continued advancement and strengthening of health and wellness services.
- Promote a holistic approach to wellness that recognizes physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being.
- Build a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure effective communication, coordination, and collaboration among all Health & Wellness programs.
- Assess community needs and identify opportunities to expand or improve programs and services.
- Ensure departmental priorities align with the Nation's broader strategic and community development plans.
Health & Wellness Advancement & Continuous Improvement
- Review existing programs, services, and operational practices to identify opportunities for improvement, increased efficiency, and enhanced community impact.
- Strengthen departmental policies, procedures, protocols, and administrative systems to support consistent, high-quality service delivery.
- Develop and implement operational frameworks, standards, and processes aligned with current professional practices.
- Establish and enhance reporting structures, performance measures, and evaluation processes to monitor program effectiveness and outcomes.
- Develop and implement strategic and operational plans that support the continued growth and sustainability of the department.
- Promote innovation by incorporating current best practices, emerging healthcare approaches, and culturally grounded models of wellness.
- Lead quality improvement initiatives that strengthen service excellence, organizational capacity, and community outcomes.
- Ensure Health & Wellness services remain responsive to changing community needs and emerging health priorities.
Staff Leadership
- Provide direct supervision, coaching, mentoring, and support to Health & Wellness employees.
- Establish clear expectations, goals, and performance standards.
- Conduct performance management and support employee development and professional growth.
- Identify departmental training needs and support staff in maintaining required certifications and competencies.
- Develop succession planning and leadership capacity within the department.
- Foster a respectful, safe, supportive, and culturally grounded workplace culture.
- Address workplace concerns and support effective conflict resolution.
- Encourage collaboration between health, social development, family support, and community programs.
- Ensure employees understand their roles, responsibilities, and accountability within the broader Health & Wellness system.
Financial Management & Funding Development
- Develop, manage, and monitor departmental budgets.
- Ensure responsible financial stewardship and effective use of resources.
- Monitor expenditures and prepare financial updates and recommendations.
- Develop funding proposals, grant applications, and contribution agreements.
- Ensure compliance with funding requirements and reporting obligations.
- Identify and pursue new funding opportunities to expand and enhance health and wellness programming.
- Build relationships with funding agencies and government partners to support sustainable services.
- Develop long-term financial strategies that support departmental growth and service sustainability.
Health System Coordination & Partnerships
Develop and maintain strong partnerships with:
- First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)
- Northern Health
- Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
- Local physicians and healthcare providers
- Hospitals and specialists
- Mental health and wellness providers
- Emergency medical services
- Local first aid personnel and emergency response organizations
- Provincial and federal ministries
- Indigenous organizations
- Community agencies and service providers
Responsibilities include:
- Coordinate healthcare services and strengthen communication between providers.
- Improve continuity and coordination of care for community members.
- Support integrated service planning between healthcare, social services, and community programs.
- Coordinate with local healthcare providers, emergency services, first aid personnel, and other medical resources to strengthen community health response and access to care.
- Represent the Nation at meetings, committees, conferences, and working groups as required.
- Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with external partners.
- Identify opportunities to bring additional healthcare resources and services closer to the community.
Medical Travel & Administrative Services
- Provide leadership and oversight to the Administrative Assistant / Medical Travel Coordinator.
- Ensure effective medical travel coordination, including referrals, approvals, transportation, accommodations, scheduling, and reimbursement processes.
- Strengthen administrative systems that support efficient client service delivery, documentation, confidentiality, and reporting.
- Ensure medical travel processes comply with applicable funding guidelines and requirements.
- Identify opportunities to improve access, efficiency, and the overall service experience for community members.
Health & Wellness Growth Initiatives
The Manager will identify, develop, and support opportunities to expand health and wellness services and strengthen access to care.
Potential areas of growth include:
- Development of an on-site Mental Health Practitioner role to expand access to counselling, mental wellness supports, crisis intervention, and preventative programming.
- Re-establishment of a community daycare program supporting children, families, and early childhood development.
- Exploration and development of an on-site health clinic and pharmacy services to improve access to healthcare resources within the community.
- Expansion of preventative health initiatives, chronic disease prevention, wellness programming, elder supports, family services, and community-based care.
- Development of innovative partnerships that bring additional healthcare resources and services closer to home.
- Exploration of additional healthcare and wellness programs based on community needs, available resources, and emerging opportunities.
Research, Policy & Continuous Improvement
- Monitor changes in legislation, regulations, healthcare standards, funding requirements, technology, and emerging trends that may impact Health & Wellness services.
- Develop, review, and implement policies and procedures to support legislative compliance, organizational goals, professional standards, and effective service delivery.
- Oversee the preparation of periodic and special reports, statistical summaries, policies, procedures, briefing materials, and other departmental documents.
- Prepare and deliver presentations to Chief and Council, senior leadership, community members, funding agencies, and external partners.
- Represent the Nation in meetings, committees, conferences, and working groups with provincial and federal ministries, healthcare organizations, Indigenous partners, and community agencies.
- Advocate for the health and wellness needs of the Nation and support initiatives that improve access to culturally safe, equitable, and integrated services.
- Promote the Nation's vision, mission, values, and strategic priorities through positive leadership and professional conduct.
Health & Safety
- Promote a safe and healthy workplace by ensuring compliance with organizational health and safety policies, procedures, and applicable legislation.
- Ensure employees receive required training and support to perform their duties safely.
- Identify, report, and address hazards, incidents, and unsafe conditions in accordance with organizational requirements.
- Support emergency preparedness and health response planning.
- Coordinate with emergency services, first aid personnel, and relevant community resources to support effective emergency response and preparedness.
Reporting & Compliance
- Prepare financial, statistical, program, and operational reports for Chief and Council, senior leadership, funding agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Maintain accurate records and ensure appropriate confidentiality and protection of personal and health information.
- Monitor departmental performance indicators and evaluate program effectiveness.
- Ensure funding and program reporting requirements are completed accurately and on time.
- Maintain appropriate documentation to support accountability and program sustainability.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Health Administration, Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, Public Administration, Business Administration, Community Development, or a related field.
- A combination of education, relevant professional experience, and demonstrated leadership may be considered.
Senior Leadership Experience
- Demonstrated experience working in a senior leadership, executive, or management-level position with responsibility for strategic planning, financial management, people leadership, and organizational decision-making.
- Demonstrated ability to lead organizational growth, change, and continuous improvement within a complex service environment.
- Experience providing strategic advice to senior leadership, governing bodies, Chief and Council, or elected leadership is considered an asset.
Professional Experience
- Minimum five years of progressive leadership or management experience.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience managing budgets and multiple funding agreements.
- Experience developing reports, policies, strategic plans, and funding proposals.
- Experience working collaboratively with healthcare providers, government agencies, ministries, and community organizations.
- Experience developing and maintaining strategic partnerships.
- Experience working within Indigenous communities or Indigenous organizations is a strong asset.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- Strategic thinking and organizational development abilities.
- Strong financial management and budgeting expertise.
- Ability to lead organizational growth, change, and continuous improvement.
- Knowledge of Indigenous health systems and community-based healthcare.
- Strong understanding of the coordination of health, social, family, and community care.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and complex issues.
- Commitment to culturally safe, trauma-informed, and community-driven approaches to wellness.
Preferred Knowledge
Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of:
- Indigenous health and wellness models.
- First Nations governance and administration.
- First Nations Health Authority programs and services.
- Mental health and wellness programming.
- Trauma-informed and culturally safe service delivery.
- Community-based healthcare and integrated care models.
- Government ministries and health and social service funding programs.
Working Conditions
- Combination of office, community, and meeting environments.
- Regular interaction with community members, employees, Chief and Council, senior leadership, and external partners.
- Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
- Travel for meetings, training, conferences, and partnership development may be required.
- Valid Class 5 Driver's Licence required.
- Satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check required.
Pay: $100,000.00-$110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
