Indigenous Doula (Permanent, Part-Time)

Are you passionate about using your lived experience and cultural knowledge to support others?

The Indigenous Doula reports to the Manager, Victoria and works collaboratively with the Arrow Home team to provide strengths-based, trauma-informed, family support for program participants and their babies, ensuring they have the appropriate level of practical support for daily living. The Indigenous Doula will prioritize families that need higher levels of support and Indigenous families. They will have lived experience of Indigenous culture and traditions.  The doula will support in the home during the fourth trimester following birth, and provide education, nonjudgmental support and companionship; assist with newborn care and family adjustment, meal preparation, and other activities of daily living. Working as a doula is a way to practice the traditions of the Ancestors, when we may not always have access to our community support systems.

Due to the nature of the participants, we serve, only female candidates will be considered for this position and the candidate is subject to a criminal record check and must submit a current Driver’s Abstract. 

This is a permanent part-time (15 hours per week) position. The starting range for this position is $23.82 to $26.03 per hour.

Who We Are

Demonstrating the love of Christ, UGM feeds hope and changes lives through a faith-based continuum of care. We are a proud member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities and have earned the Best Christian Workplace award again in 2021. We provide competitive salaries, generous vacation and sick leave, an RRSP matching program, as well as the potential for educational assistance and flexible work arrangements. In addition, our extensive benefits plan is fully employer-paid and includes extended dental and medical, as well as $4,500 per year in pooled paramedical expenses. A focus on employee resilience, support for professional development, engagement in meaningful work, and a fun and caring environment are all part of being a member of the UGM team.  If you are someone who desires to learn and grow, has a passion to serve and make a difference, and connects with others with both humility and humour, then you will be a great fit at UGM.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides culturally safe services to diverse populations, including Indigenous Peoples.
• Provide the mothers with emotional, physical, moral, and educational support, especially as the other parent and other close relatives are not living with the mother and baby in recovery.
• Educate the mothers on techniques that increase comfort and to make the transition to motherhood easier in a culturally relevant and holistic way.
• Listen to the concerns and questions of the mothers in a kind, nonjudgemental way and offering the best possible advice from sacred traditions and Indigenous knowledge and wisdom.
• Visit the mother once they have been discharged from hospital to Arrow Home and assist with the care of the baby while the mother heals.
• Provide practical support and advice to the mother after childbirth, like organizing a nursery, running errands, and assisting with breastfeeding and meal preparation.
• Keeping up to date on childbirth support, birthing techniques, and pre and post-natal care by conducting research, networking with other Doulas and mothers, and attending workshops and lectures.
• Help organize and participate in program activities as applicable, offering ideas and resources when appropriate.
• Lead a parenting chat group for all program participants once per week, discussing child development, infant needs, tips for women adjusting to motherhood, and offering fun and encouraging activities to do with babies.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, and cultural and spiritual development opportunities, and perform other duties as required by your supervisor.
• Follow UGM processes and protocols in working with and including UGM’s Matriarch and Elder.
• Adhere to all UGM published policies, practices and procedures, including Occupational Health and Safety.

KSA’s

• Mature individual, committed to and in agreement with UGM’s Mission Statement, Core Values and Statement of Faith.
• Indigenous ancestry/identity is a bona fide occupational requirement for this position: Only individuals who identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, Inuit) will be considered for this position.
• A Doula Certificate is required, along with membership with the doula services association of BC.

• Other combinations of lived experience and education may be considered.
• At least 20 hours of training in one or more of these subjects: counselling; crisis and conflict resolution; psychosocial intervention for substance use and concurrent disorders; and trauma-informed practice.

• Basic computer skills (Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Calm and nurturing presence & exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work well under pressure, and function independently.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality within the organization and its clientele.
• Experience with Indigenous peoples; working in a multi-ethnic and socially diverse community is an asset.
• Knowledge of local family focused recovery programming and local MCFD offices and system is an asset.
• Willing to complete UGM’s Non-Violent Crisis Intervention course and all other mandatory training.

Working Conditions

• Work Location

Work is generally performed indoors, with up to 65% of the time spent outdoors in all types of weather.

• Physical Requirements

Work fluctuates between sedentary and active, but may require standing, walking or reaching for up to 90% of the time. Employee is required to look at a computer screen and use a keyboard for up to 30% of the time. Must be able to lift up to 35lbs occasionally.

• Work Conditions

Working environment is generally favorable. Lighting and temperature are adequate. Work is performed amid normal conditions of dust, odors, fumes, and noises. Frequent environmental exposures to cold, heat, and water. This position is required to work in an environment often dealing with clients in crisis situations brought about by diverse problems. The ability to function independently and frequently under pressure, while managing multiple concurrent tasks including emergency situations is an ongoing expectation of this position.

• Hours of Work

This position will be a part of a team within a 24-hour facility, but will work primarily daytime and evening shifts, with a mix of weekdays and weekends. Statutory holiday work will be required. Some work on scheduled days off and/or moderate overtime may be required.

• Hazards

Job requires frequent interaction with the public some of whom may be upset, abusive, and/or violent. Job requires working frequently with people in unhealthy conditions and may include exposure to bodily fluids, lice and bedbugs. Employee is required to hear information about clients’ lives which may be troubling or upsetting, and may cause emotional issues including vicarious trauma.