The Wei Wai Kum First Nation is pleased to welcome four new employees in the positions of Elders Worker; Netloft and Sheetwall Worker; Operations and Maintenance Worker; and Youth Worker. The new employees are Kristen Peel (Elders Worker); Jim Henderson (Netloft); Mark Haunch (Operations) and Jessica Rhodes (Youth Worker).
Mark Haunch – Mark has already started on the job. He is well known in the Wei Wai Kum community in Campbell River due to his work as the school bus driver and his long residence in the community. Mark has 34 years of experience working in industrial sites and operating equipment.
Jessica Rhodes – Jessica starts her position Monday, July 16. Jessica has a BA in Psychology as well as training and experience working with children and youth of various ages. She has a particular interest in reaching out to vulnerable youth and has worked in her home town of Powell River organizing and supervising activities for children and youth living in transition housing. She has facilitated a girls’ group with Big Brothers, Big Sisters Victoria and is currently a Chat Volunteer with Youthspace.ca, providing emotional support to youth via an online messaging system. She is of Tshimshian heritage.
Kristen Peel – Kristen starts July 23 as the new Elders Worker. Kristen has training in therapeutic recreation, school and community support work, and disability studies. She has more than 20 years’ experience working with the elderly and people with developmental and physical disabilities or mental health conditions or dementia. Kristen is of Cree-Metis background. Since her move to Campbell River earlier this year Kristen has been juggling work as a recreation assistant at the Berwick Retirement Community with community support work with the Association for Community Living. She has also continued to run her own company in the Comox Valley providing one-on-one care for people coping with a variety of physical, mental or behavioral challenges.
Jim Henderson – As a member of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation, Jim Henderson will be a familiar face to many when he starts as the Net Loft and Sheetwall Worker on July 23. Jim has more than 17 years’ experience in the power engineering industry, bringing a long list of skills and experience that he looks forward to applying in his new position.
Congratulations to each of these new employees and a warm welcome to all of them!
Interim Band Manager
As mentioned last week, Linda Campbell has joined the staff as Interim Band Manager. She may be reached via the main office number 250-286-6949 or toll-free 1-877-286-6949 or email lindacampbell@weiwaikum.ca
Band Manager Angie Sarsons is expected to be off on medical leave for another three to six months.
Hiring Process
Full-time, permanent staff positions at the Nation are filled through a hiring process that involves hiring panels of at least three people. These panels include one or more external advisors. A member of the Parents Group was on the Youth Worker panel. A member of the Elders Group was on the Elders Worker panel. The manager of the Campbell River Harbour Authority and the Human Resources Coordinator for KDC Health participated in the panels for both the Net Loft and Operations positions.
The hiring committee members were impressed with the caliber of the candidates for each of the positions and thank all of the applicants.