Community Navigator

Community Navigator  

Permanent Full-Time 1.0 FTE x2

Open Date: May 14, 2025

Close Date: May 24, 2025

Job Title:

Community Navigator

Classification:

Activity Worker

Grid/Pay Level:

Grid 21

Collective Agreement:

Community Sub-Sector

Salary Range:

$27.92 - $29.60 

Union:

BCGEU

Job Family:

Client Services

Program:

Homelessness Services

Benchmarks:

81002

Reporting To:

Homelessness Services Coordinator or designate

Facility/Site:

Multiple CMHA Mid Island Sites, Community Partner Agencies

Shift Times:

Sunday - Thursday, 0900-1700

Tuesday - Saturday, 0900-1700 

Days off:

Rotating

Date reviewed: April 24, 2025 

SCOPE AND LEVEL DEFINITION

Reporting to the Homelessness Services Coordinator or designate, in partnership with Vancouver Island Mental Health Society (VIMHS), the Community Navigator provides community based support to individuals. Provides life skills training, coaching, advocacy and advice to a population of individuals with substance use and mental health challenges that have experienced significant challenges related to poverty and homelessness as well as limited access or engagement in with the traditional system of care. Community Navigators work independently and collaboratively with the other service providers to offer integrated support to clients. The Community Navigator will be the primary connection between tenants of 1030 Victoria Road and community service teams, including; housing referrals, community health teams, employment support, outreach teams, etc.

Transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of the CMHA Mid-Island in accordance with the service assignment and may require the use of a personal vehicle.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Engages positively, builds rapport and provides support and advocacy to people who live with mental heath challenges, use illicit substances, experience homelessness, and other stigmatized populations using a trauma informed and harm reduction approach.
2. Participates in case planning with clients and/or healthcare and housing providers by performing duties such as interviewing clients to identify problems and needs, obtaining required information from a variety of sources such as families and care providers, documenting client needs and wants, and assisting clients to determine appropriate programs and services.
3. Advocates for clients by problem solving in areas such as landlord-tenant disputes, financial assistance, and accessing community resources. 
4. Identifies and promotes available social, economic, recreational and educational services and resources in the community that will help meet clients’ needs. Supports clients to connect with various community teams including; peer teams, health service teams, outreach supports, housing referrals, etc.
5. Observes clients, identifies and assesses potential emergency situations, and develops short-term strategies to deal with such situations. Reports medical, behavioural, and other problems as required. Provides feedback and input regarding clients’ needs, performance, and progress.
6. Apply sound judgement, stay grounded and use creativity, flexibility and assertiveness when working through often unpredictable situations and emergencies.
7. Responds to changeable and sometime volatile behaviours utilizing non-violent communication and deescalation techniques.
8. Receives client feedback, inquiries, and complaints, and responds as required. 
9. Accompanies and supervises clients out in community to connect with resources and community partners. 
10. Completes and maintains related records and documentation such as intake forms, incident reports, daily stats and logbooks.
11. Works professionally and ethically in a team setting, including the ability to maintain confidentiality, and stay focused on the participants’ needs.
12. Communicates and collaborates with other CMHA MI and VIMHS staff and programs. 
13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Typical Education, Training and Experience

• Completion of Social Services Diploma, Activity Assistant Program, or related education
• Minimum two years related experience working with populations impacted by homelessness, substance use, and mental health concerns and/or barriers to stable housing
• Class V BC Driver’s License and access to a reliable, personal vehicle.
• Certificates in CPR and First Aid 
• Naloxone Training 
• Valid Criminal Record Check for working with Vulnerable Populations 
• Must have the physical, mental and emotional ability to perform the duties of the position
• Recent, related experience of one year
  Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
  Or other Qualifications determined to be reasonable and relevant to the level of work 

Typical Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of current social issues related to homelessness, mental health and substance use
• Knowledge of harm reduction and psychosocial rehabilitation principles
• Ability to promote positive change and independence.
• Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills;
• Strong ethical and personal boundaries
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing 
• Good interpersonal skills including the ability to display tact and diplomacy
• Ability to interact with people of all ages, identities and cultural backgrounds
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others
• Advocacy skills
• Comfortable working independently, and in cooperation with others
• Ability to organize and prioritize
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport, and observe and recognize change with clients
• Ability to give direction

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