Indigenous Centered System Navigator, HART Hub - Peterborough Community Health Centre

Compensation: Annual Salary of $65,920 plus generous paid time off, group benefits, and HOOPP pension

Terms: Full-time 1.0 FTE, permanent

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours/Week

Start Date: November 2026

Location: Peterborough HART Hub

Link to Job Posting: www.ptbochc.ca/careers

Peterborough Community Health Centre (PCHC) is pleased to partner with various Peterborough agencies, to offer services through the new Peterborough Homelessness Addiction and Recovery Team (HART) Hub. The Peterborough HART Hub is designed as a low-barrier, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, health care model that integrates primary care, mental health, substance use treatment, housing with supports, and health systems navigation.

Organizational Commitment

PCHC and the HART Hub (HH) is committed to being a culturally safe, inclusive, and equity-driven organization that recognizes the inherent rights, knowledge systems, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. We understand that Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and healing are essential to the health and wellbeing of all communities, not only Indigenous clients. All staff share responsibility for embedding culturally appropriate and trauma-informed practices into every aspect of our work, guided by the principles of reconciliation, anti-racism, and respect for diverse worldviews.

JOB SUMMARY The Indigenous System Navigator provides harm-reduction, culturally safe, trauma-informed, wholistic care to Indigenous individuals residing within the Wolf Street Modular Bridge Community and those transitioning into community housing destinations. This position will be a key contributor working with the integrated Health Team as well as other HART Hub (HH) housing programs. This role bridges clinical medical care with traditional Indigenous healing practices, cultural continuity, and community advocacy.

The primary goal is to foster trust, support harm reduction or recovery goals, and build sustainable support networks to ensure successful, long-term housing stabilization.

The Indigenous System Navigator provides intake and comprehensive assessment services through the lens of the social determinants of health. Working within the interdisciplinary team, they support care coordination and help individuals experiencing homelessness, addictions, and/or mental health concerns navigate complex health, housing, legal, and social systems. They develop connections to community resources that meet clients’ needs, with particular attention to building partnerships with organizations that support people experiencing homelessness and the addiction recovery community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES

- Engage with clients at the HH, building trust with individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges.
- Contribute to comprehensive assessments based on the social determinants of health within the larger team
- Support clients in accessing Indigenous-specific health, wellness, cultural, and community services, while acting as a liaison between the HH and external service providers.
- Deliver culturally relevant, trauma-informed individual support utilizing Medicine Wheel concepts or holistic wellness frameworks.
- Facilitate access to traditional medicines, cultural ceremonies, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and localized Indigenous community resources.




- Establish and nurture strong working relationships with local First Nations, Inuit, and Métis service providers, housing authorities, and community leaders.
- Connect clients with neighborhood resources, food security programs, and local Indigenous organizations to build a reliable safety net outside the bridge community.
- Co-create and implement an Indigenous team that supports client-led transition plans for individuals exiting the modular bridge community into community housing.
- As a member of the HH Health Team, coordinate service plans in collaboration with clients, their support networks, and providers.
- Advocate for equitable and culturally safe care and services.
- Strictly adhere to the Confidentiality and Privacy Policies and all other policies and procedures of PCHC and those related to the HART Hub host organization.
- Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

- All employees of PCHC are required to submit a Criminal Record Check upon hire and every 3-5 years thereafter. Some positions will require a Vulnerable Sector Screening.
- Comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), its regulations and all CHC occupational health and safety policies and procedures.
- Due to the requirements of this position, a valid Ontario driver’s license, use of own vehicle and proof of valid insurance is required.
- Availability to participate in meetings, community engagement events, and other health promotion activities after regular work hours on occasion.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Work Experience:

- A degree/diploma in Social Work, Indigenous Studies, Mental Health, or a related field, combined with 2+ years of frontline experience working with unhoused or structurally vulnerable populations. An equivalent combination of lived experience and traditional knowledge will be highly valued.
- Previous experience in community health or social service navigation
- Understanding of and commitment to the social determinants of health
- Experience working with interdisciplinary teams
- Experience working with Indigenous, newcomer, and other equity-deserving communities is an asset
- Knowledge and background in the areas of trauma-informed care, culturally safer care, and working with individuals who use substances.
- Experience working with marginalized populations (e.g., individuals who are unsheltered, and struggling with addictions and/or mental health issues.
- Deep understanding of the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization, the residential school system, intergenerational trauma, and systemic racism affecting Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Skills and Abilities:

- Self-identify as Indigenous
- Practice from a harm reduction philosophy.
- Solid interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
- Strong crisis de-escalation skills, excellent intercultural communication, and the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
- Ability to assess, prioritize, and respond to complex client needs with empathy and cultural humility




- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a energetic and evolving environment
- Strong facilitation and advocacy skills
- Knowledge of local community services, supports, and systems navigation strategies
- Demonstrated commitment to reconciliation and equity
- Experience with EMHware would be an asset.
- Demonstrated commitment to, and knowledge of community-based health care.
- Ability to work independently and problem solve.

WORKING CONDITIONS

- Company culture – Social environment promoting communication, helping, healing and education between employees. Artistic environment encouraging innovation and experimentation as well as personal expression. Investigative environment built on critical thinking, experimentation and problem-solving, where you are encouraged to be curious and learn.
- Physical Demands – Actively engaged in the Wolfe Steet Community and supporting visits across housing sites, requiring frequent movement throughout the workday. Lifting of some objects up to five pounds.
- Environment – Work is performed in office, community, housing, and outdoor settings, including travel, outreach, and community events. The role may involve exposure to infectious diseases, uncontrolled substances, potential physical or verbal violence, working alone, slips, trips and falls, inclement weather, and other environmental hazards. The employee must be able to identify and respond appropriately to hazards, follow health and safety protocols, and have the required training to work safely in diverse community and outreach settings. Minimal exposure to hazardous materials, such as cleaning supplies, may occur.
- Mental Effort – Quick thinking for frequent handling of difficult situations that some may find stressful and / or upsetting. A HART Hub is a busy environment that can be frequently noisy and subject to frequent interruptions. The incumbent will need excellent organizational, time and stress management skills to complete the required tasks.

Preference will be given to qualified Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) candidates under the Ontario Human Rights Code, Section 24(1), and the organization’s approved Special Program (Section 14) to address systemic barriers. This role has been designated to support services for Indigenous communities in culturally grounded ways. Applicants who wish to self-identify as Indigenous are invited to do so in their cover letter or application.

Applicants must include a reference letter from an Elder, Traditional Knowledge Holder or other recognized Indigenous community representative outlining their relevant experience.

Send your cover letter and resume and Elder/Knowledge Keeper reference letter to [email protected]

Please indicate position applied for in the subject line of the email

DEADLINE October 23, 2026

Peterborough CHC and HART Hub are equal opportunity employer who seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact us at (phone hidden) to communicate their needs. We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for interview will be conacted.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $65,920.00 per year

Benefits

- Company pension
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Vision care

Work Location: In person

📌 Indigenous Centered System Navigator, HART Hub (Peterborough)
🏢 Peterborough Community Health Centre
📍 Peterborough