Director of Wellbriety, Transitional Housing and Protective Care Services

Full Time Position – Thompson, MB

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Wellbriety, Transitional Housing and Protective Care Services provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and program development for Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak's (MKO) continuum of housing, wellness, and protective care services. The Director is responsible for the overall management and performance of the MKO Wellbriety Centre, Transitional Housing Program, and Protective Care Unit operating under Manitoba's Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act. The Director ensures that services are delivered in a secure, culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and person-centered manner while supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use, acute intoxication, mental health challenges, and housing instability.

As a senior leader, the Director provides strategic direction, financial stewardship, human resource leadership, program development, and community engagement while ensuring compliance with legislation, accreditation standards, funding agreements, and organizational policies. The Director champions Indigenous-led approaches to healing and wellness by integrating traditional knowledge, cultural teachings, harm reduction, and Housing First principles to support individuals on their journey toward recovery, housing stability, and self-determination. Provide visionary leadership and operational oversight for the Wellbriety Centre, Transitional Housing Program, and Protective Care Unit.

Develop and implement strategic, operational, and business plans aligned with MKO's Strategic Plan and the priorities established by the MKO Chiefs in Assembly. Foster innovation and continuous quality improvement across all services. Establish measurable goals, objectives, and performance indicators.

Develop and implement operational policies and procedures. Ensure facilities are safe, secure, and well maintained. Manage emergency preparedness and business continuity planning. Oversee quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives.

Ensure all services reflect Indigenous values, cultural safety, and trauma-informed care.

Protective Care Services

Ensure compliance with Manitoba's Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act and associated regulations. Develop admission, monitoring, observation,



discharge, transportation, and documentation protocols. Ensure clients receive safe, respectful, and compassionate care while under protective detention.

Collaborate with police services, paramedics, hospitals, physicians, emergency responders, and community agencies. Ensure appropriate medical referrals and transitions to detoxification, addictions treatment, mental health services, or housing supports. Monitor incident reporting, quality assurance, and legislative compliance.

Wellbriety and Housing Services Provide leadership for emergency shelter and transitional housing services.

Promote Housing

First and harm reduction approaches. Ensure comprehensive intake, assessment, case planning, and discharge processes. Support the development of individualized wellness and housing plans. Build partnerships that improve access to permanent housing and wraparound supports.

Support culturally grounded programming that incorporates Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Traditional Healers, ceremonies, and land-based healing opportunities. Prepare financial forecasts, variance analyses, and funding reports. Ensure compliance with funding agreements and organizational financial policies.

Support employee development, succession planning, and leadership growth.

Community

Engagement and Partnerships Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with a variety of stake holders including First Nations represented by MKO, community and public health organizations and intergovernmental funders. Represent MKO at local, regional, provincial, and national meetings related to homelessness, housing, wellness, addictions, and Indigenous health. Prepare reports for the Executive Director, Executive Council, Board Committees, Chiefs in Assembly, and funding agencies.

Monitor program outcomes and key performance indicators. Lead policy development and program evaluation. Support accreditation, audits, and quality assurance initiatives. Ensure effective risk management practices across all services.





All staff at MKO may be given other duties as assigned that enable MKO to fulfill the mandate and responsibility to its member communities. Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Indigenous Studies, Nursing, Health Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related discipline. A master's degree in a related field is considered an asset.

Minimum of seven years of progressive leadership experience in housing, homelessness, addictions, health care, social services, or community services. Minimum of five years of senior management experience leading multidisciplinary teams.

Experience working with Indigenous communities and organizations.

Experience in strategic planning, policy development, and organizational leadership.

Experience working in a unionized environment is considered an asset. Indigenous cultures, histories, traditions, and contemporary issues.

Housing

First principles. Homelessness systems and housing supports. Case management and integrated service delivery. Program evaluation and quality improvement. Risk management and emergency response.

The Protective

Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act (Manitoba).

Personal Health Information

Act (PHIA). The Director works in office, shelter, protective care, and community environments. The position requires regular interaction with individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, mental illness, acute intoxication, trauma, and other complex social and health challenges.

Occasional evening and weekend work. Travel throughout Manitoba. Attendance at community meetings, ceremonies, conferences, and organizational events Valid Manitoba Class 5 Driver's Licence. Must be able to provide a satisfactory and current Criminal Record Check (including vulnerable sector check), Child Abuse Registry Check, and Adult Abuse Registry Check.

The traditional practices of the MKO Nations, from time to time can be exposed to wood smoke and burning of sacred medicines, including tobacco, sweet grass, sage, or cedar may occur within the work setting. No phone calls will be accepted. MKO is a non-profit, political advocacy organization that provides a collective voice on issues of inherent, Treaty, Indigenous, and human rights for citizens of the 26 sovereign First Nations we represent.

Please visit our website at mkonation.

📌 Director of Wellbriety, Transitional Housing and Protective Care Services (Thompson)
🏢 Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak
📍 Thompson