Indigenous Victim Services Advocate

Applications will be received by Six Nations of the Grand River and Grand River Employment & Training (GREAT) up until 4:00 p.m. EST, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, for the Indigenous Victim Services Advocate with Justice, Nation Building. The Six Nations of the Grand River Application for Employment Form, Job Posting and Job Description are available for printing from the www.greatsn.com website. Online applications accepted through My Job Search. NO LATE APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED.

Applicants from Six Nations and other First Nations will be given preference to deliver programs and services in a First Nations community.

JOB SUMMARY: The Indigenous Victim Services Advocate reports to and receives direction from the IVS manager

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE POSITION

The IVS Court Advocate is responsible for providing service intakes and delivery to victims of crime and other social tragedies in the Indigenous communities of Brantford, Six Nations, Hamilton, and Cayuga.  The IVS Court Advocate will provide support to individuals experiencing trauma such as physical and sexual assault, car accident, house fires, homicide, or a sudden death of a loved one.  The IVS Court Advocate will work with the other Indigenous justice staff to help ensure that wrap around services, referrals and supports for indigenous victims is provided.   The ICAV will be flexible and is able to respond quickly to the needs of Indigenous victims. The IVS court Advocate will be flexible to work after hours when required.

*A competitive compensation package will be offered commensurate with qualifications. *

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, psychology, criminology or a closely related field, with a strong counseling background and at least two years of professional experience.

OR

• 
  

  A two-year accredited diploma in social service work, with three to five years of continuous experience in the human services field.

  
  


• At least three years of experience working with Indigenous organizations or within First Nations communities.


• A minimum of six months of experience in a Victim Services agency or working directly with victims of crime.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE: (Choose one method ONLY):

Method #1:  Online

1. Please visit: My Job Search to access our job board and follow the directions to apply.


2. Please ensure all required documents are provided/uploaded with your application package, which include:
   
   
   
   • Cover letter including your band name and number (if applicable). Please indicate in your letter how your education and experience qualifies you for this position.
   
   
   • Recent resume clearly identifying that you meet the Basic Qualifications of this position as stipulated above.
   
   
   • Copy of your education diploma/degree/certificate and transcript.
   
   
   
   


3. If you have any questions or need assistance please reach out to Sydney Lewis, Human Resources Business Partner at 519-445-2223 ext. 5755 or via email at [email protected].

Method #2: GREAT – Applications must include all of the following:

1. Printed, filled in and authorized Six Nations of the Grand River Application for Employment Form.


2. Cover letter including your band name and number (if applicable). Please indicate in your letter how your education and experience qualifies you for this position.


3. Recent resume clearly identifying that you meet the Basic Qualifications of this position as stipulated above.


4. Photocopy of your education diploma/degree/certificate and transcript.


5. Place all documents listed above in a sealed envelope and mail to or drop off at:

Indigenous Victim Services Advocate – Full Time – 069R1-25-4

                                         c/o Reception Desk

                                         Grand River Employment & Training (GREAT)

                                         P.O. Box 69, 16 Sunrise Court

                                         Ohsweken, Ontario  N0A 1M0

 REPORTING RELATIONSHIP 

 The Indigenous Victim Services Court Advocate reports to and receives direction from the IVS manager

PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE POSITION

The IVS Court Advocate is responsible for providing service intakes and delivery to victims of crime and other social tragedies in the Indigenous communities of Brantford, Six Nations, Hamilton, and Cayuga.  The IVS Court Advocate will provide support to individuals experiencing trauma such as physical and sexual assault, car accident, house fires, homicide, or a sudden death of a loved one.  The IVS Court Advocate will work with the other Indigenous justice staff to help ensure that wrap around services, referrals and supports for indigenous victims is provided.   The ICAV will be flexible and is able to respond quickly to the needs of Indigenous victims. The IVS court Advocate will be flexible to work after hours when required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

TECHNICAL

• Responsible for conducting intakes with victims and making appropriate community referrals to Ontario Works, mental health and addictions, Jordan’s principle programing, housing, family violence and sexual assault counselling etc.


• Responsible for the coordination of accommodation, transportation, and providing grocery vouchers for victims in need; as well as meeting clients at grocery stores when needed.


• Responsible for completing VQRP+ applications when needed.


• Responsible for writing and regularly updating progress notes on clients using the agency database.

• Responsible for assisting and responding to tragedies on site with staff when needed.


• Responsible for educating victims on IVS’s model of victims’ rights and responsibilities.


• Responsible for providing program outreach on IVS to Six Nations and outside communities when directed.


• Responsible for calling court services for the outcomes of the accused regarding bail, pretrial and trial matters and reporting to IVS and victims.


• Responsible for collaborating with other staff in creating intake forms and all necessary forms to deliver services when required.


• Responsible for learning and assisting victims in filling out court and legal documents.


• Responsible for assessing and making appropriate referrals to justice staff and outside community agencies.


• Responsible for responding appropriately to clients in times of crisis and those facing tragic circumstances – by phone and physically when appropriate.


• Responsible for accompanying and supporting victims to hospital, police station and to court with client consent, and when it is appropriate to do so.


• Will work from a strengths-based approach and a resolution-focused approach with clients and staff.


• Will provide program outreach to bring awareness on IVS programming and other justice department programming when required.


• Knowledge of Haudenosaunee Principles, and how to apply them in a team environment, with clients and community members


• Knowledge of the family, criminal justice system, Gladue principles and understanding of crisis and peer counselling intervention


• Knowledge and experience of challenges and issues facing vulnerable, socially excluded individuals.

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Represent Six Nations Justice Department at inter-agency meetings when appropriate.


• Keep monthly program statistics (incoming calls, face-to-face meetings with clients, number of intakes completed, referrals to and from outside agencies, attendance to court etc.


• Create weekly work plans and weekly activity reports to keep the manager appraised.


• Create monthly work plans and activity reports to keep manager apprised


• Will keep progress notes on clients and will enter program database.

COMMUNICATION

• Ensures and adheres to confidentiality for clients, staff and Six Nations Justice Department matters.


• Keeps the manager apprised of activities on a weekly basis both verbally and in written weekly and monthly reports.


• Will write memorandums and/or briefing notes when making program requests, advocating for clients with special needs, and making innovative program recommendations.


• Will consult with the manager prior to writing emails or any communication to individuals in higher positions (eg. Ministry, Directors, other managers) and copy the IVS Manager on these emails.


• Will have a general understanding of communication procedures within an office setting.

OTHER RELATED DUTIES

• Perform other job-related duties as may reasonably be required by the IVS manager and/or Justice Director.


• Attend and participate in scheduled training as directed by IVS manager.


• Participate in Justice Department community events.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Qualifications

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, psychology, criminology or a closely related field, with a strong counseling background and at least two years of professional experience.

OR

• 
  

  A two-year accredited diploma in social service work, with three to five years of continuous experience in the human services field.

  
  


• 
  

  At least three years of experience working with Indigenous organizations or within First Nations communities.

  
  


• 
  

  A minimum of six months of experience in a Victim Services agency or working directly with victims of crime.

  
  

OTHER PREFERRED SKILLS

• Excellent communication, critical thinking and interpersonal skills.


• Has excellent report writing skills.


• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.


• High-level understanding of the mainstream legal and court system.


• High level of communication skills: interoffice, telephone, and written.


• High level of computer software skills: Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point and Publisher.


• High level of office and interpersonal communication skills.


• Strong level of organizational skills for self.


• Must be a team player.


• Possess research and data collection skills.


• Has a valid G license.


• Aware of Six Nations Community and services available in the area.


• Possess the ability to adapt and relate effectively with people of all ages.


• Will participate in recommended training.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work requires physical activity and mental stress; requires working inside/outside; requires travel; requires extensive interactions with the public, who at times may be hostile or irate; subject to interruptions, deadlines, unscheduled hours.


• Work has a high public profile, extensive public contact and is subject to deadlines and interruptions.


• Work involves considerable out-of-office contact.


• Work requires the ability to prioritize tasks, work independently with minimal supervision, and cope with many demands and time constraints.


• Work may at times be subject to unscheduled hours.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

With the Justice IVS Manager

Receives direction, guidance, and discusses plans and priorities to ensure tasks are done

efficiently and effectively, receives instruction and supervision.

With Department Staff

Liaises, cooperates and provides encouragement; maintains control through teamwork

and direction.

With Other Staff

Maintains cooperation and consideration with all staff.

With External Agencies

Represents and promotes Six Nations interests relative to the Justice Department and IVS

and maintains awareness of legislative policy and program changes; seeks to develop

sound, professional working relationships.

With the Public

Represents and promotes the justice program interests of Six Nations; works in a

courteous, co-operative, positive and proactive manner, provides information as

requested.

IMPACT OF ERROR

Errors in judgement and in the conduct of duties could lead to loss of credibility, poor

public relations, confusion, duplication of effort and misinformation being given to the

Director of Justice, Six Nations Council, Government Agencies and the public.

CONTROL

Guiding principles set by the Justice Department and Six Nations Council.  Works within

administrative policies and procedures by the Six Nations Council for the Justice

Department and other legislation provided by the respective government.