Project Coordinator, Indigenous Peer Support - BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services

Project Coordinator, Indigenous Peer Support

BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services

Burnaby, BC

Pursuant to Section 42 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry.

In accordance with the Mission, Vision, Values and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Project Manager, Recovery College, the Project Coordinator, Indigenous Peer Support Services supports the development of culturally safe programming and advances Indigenous-specific anti-racism for a peer-led education initiative: Peer Rise - the BCMHSUS Recovery College. Peer Rise aims to support patients and families at BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) through educational and skills-building courses that are designed and delivered by people with lived experience.

The Project Coordinator provides support and mentorship to Indigenous people with lived experience who are participating in a peer-led education initiative, the Recovery College. This includes both Indigenous Peer Facilitators, who design and deliver courses, as well as Indigenous learners, who are patients and families at BCMHSUS.

The role interviews, trains, mentors, supports, and debriefs with Indigenous Peer Facilitators, establishes safety and wellness planning, and provides curriculum development and facilitation expertise. They are actively involved in the planning, growth, and execution of the program, including Indigenous-specific peer support pathways. They will support Indigenous learners as needed. The role will also engage with Indigenous patients and families to inform the iterative refinement of the Recovery College initiative.

The Project Coordinator will work closely with the Peer Coordinator, Project Manager, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and lived experience strategic advisors.

What you’ll do

• Coordinate and facilitate the execution of time-limited and ongoing projects. Coordinates the execution of projects, ensuring they are done in an efficient manner, that they adhere to project protocols, that they conform to applicable institutional and ethical policies and procedures and privacy legislation, and that they are completed within the required timelines.
• Identify, collect, analyze relevant information relating to current projects, and provide input and recommendations to the Senior Lead, and project/program team for development, implementation, analysis, dissemination of findings, and policy/practice implications.
• As directed develops, prioritize and implement project management timelines and work plans and assists with the clarification of project objectives to ensure that objectives of the project plan are met. Advise on implementation issues and prepares reports, briefings and presentations researching elements as required.
• Assist with the dissemination of information and knowledge related to projects and key programs and initiatives under the identified mandate areas through a variety of vehicles to internal and external stakeholder groups.
• Research and develop project methodology, processes, tools, templates and techniques to effectively manage initiatives and projects as assigned. Collect background information for discussion with scientific, clinical, supervisory and administrative staff.
• Identify, problem solve and work to remove barriers to successful completion of projects with an emphasis on resolving issues and facilitating collaborative relationships with all stakeholders. Coordinate and develop business cases for new initiatives.
• Coordinate the evaluation of established programs and special projects within the Department; liaising with external partners; developing evaluative surveys using web-based survey software; supporting special initiatives and assisting as required.
• Provide timely verbal updates and reports on project status to the Senior Lead as required.
• Plan, develop and prepare briefing notes; draft relevant project documentation such as policies, procedures, guidelines, terms of reference, resource manuals, program notes for review as assigned.
• Perform other related administrative duties as assigned, including providing support for special projects as assigned by the Network team.

What you bring

Qualifications

• A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree plus five (5) years recent related experience or equivalent work-related experience in a health, social services, government, or community organization.
• Formal training in project management and research coordination an asset. Experience in event planning, coordination, and evaluation, both virtual and in-person, considered an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

• Demonstrated project facilitation skills with an emphasis on project planning or business case development.
• Ability to problem solve with a global perspective to incorporate existing systems and strategies when developing viable solutions to problems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated analytical skills including the ability to comprehend complex issues and related data/information and present information in concise, meaningful ways.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and build consensus.
• Proven ability to assess and anticipate future needs and identify potential problems.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and staff at all levels throughout the organization using skill, tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to productively use spreadsheet, word processing, presentation and database applications.
• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Temporary, Part-Time (FTE 0.60, until March 31st 2028)

Salary Range: $69,218.00 - $99,501.00/year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.

Location: 1795 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby BC, V5C 5J2

Hours of Work: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday – 0800 - 1600

Requisition #

201077E

What we do

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges.

BCMHSUS is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BCMHSUS are committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at ***email_hidden***.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

Attention current employees of PHSA

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at

Please note the internal job posting has expired . Please e-mail View email address on ca.workus.org with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail View email address on ca.workus.org with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days.

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at View email address on ca.workus.org .