YEK’AUTW (Justice) Support Worker
Are you a self-starter with a passion for supporting Indigenous peoples navigating systems of justice, housing, and healing?
The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society (ACEH) is seeking a Community Justice Support Worker who will support Indigenous community members – referred to as Family Members – who are at-risk or unhoused and navigating the Criminal Justice System. This position focuses on holistic, culturally grounded support through advocacy, land-based healing, and the co-creation of a Housing Transitions Justice Model.
The role involves direct support to Family Members, system navigation, collaboration with community partners, and meaningful contributions to program development. It is grounded in Indigenous ways of being and guided by the Indigenous seasonal calendar, and land-based approaches to healing and justice.
Our Vision: Our way is to care for all our people, from the youngest to the oldest. We are all one. Some of our people living away from home are suffering, isolated and homeless. We stand together to end homelessness.
Application Submission: You are required to submit a resume and cover letter that highlights First Nations, Inuit, and Metis ancestry, community/organization involvements, education, certification, demonstrated contract experience, and how your knowledge, skills, and abilities will support and contribute to the ACEH and our community through a cultural lens.
Applications missing this will be automatically screened out of the selection process.
Preference will be given to qualified candidates with First Nations, Inuit, and Metis ancestry. The ACEH values strength in diversity. As an inclusive employer that celebrates the gifts of all its employees, we encourage members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community to apply.
Applications will be received until positions are filled. Only qualified candidates will be shortlisted and interviewed.
Job Details:
Position Type: Full-time
Locations: ACEH Office, 1803 Douglas St, Victoria, BC
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
Start Date: As soon as possible, contingent on receiving a Clearance Letter through the Criminal Record Check Review Program.
Travel Required: Yes, personal & or ACEH vehicle use
Compensation and Benefits:
- $28.89/hour
- Employer-matched RRSP (up to 5%)
- 3 weeks (15 days) paid vacation annually (6% accrual, pro-rated for part-time)
- 5 paid sick days per year
- Additional sick leave accrued at 1 day per month
- 3 unpaid personal days per year
Deliverables:
Program Development & Cultural Support
- Facilitate regular focus groups with Family Members to inform the Justice Program design.
- Support the development and implementation of a Housing Transitions Justice Model in collaboration with Family Members and partner organizations.
- Create housing and employment readiness tools for incarcerated Family Members preparing for release and support re-entry by also developing a plan for a contingency fund that reflects their needs and realities.
- Support program to incorporate land-based healing and cultural teachings.
Direct Support to Family Members
- Complete intakes with new Family Members participating in the Justice Program.
- Visit incarcerated Family Members to maintain connection, provide advocacy, and assist with pre-release planning.
- Accompany Family Members to appointments, including legal consultations, court appearances, and community services.
- Support Family Members to reconnect with their home territories and families, which may include coordinating stays in the ACEH’s Family Reunification Townhouse.
- Provide transportation using the ACEH van or personal vehicle (with mileage reimbursement) for Family Members attending land-based healing or other community events.
System Navigation & Community Engagement
- Build relationships with community-based justice and housing organizations (e.g., John Howard Society, BCGNFC, Salvation Army, Manchester)
- Work with MCFD and other agencies to support Indigenous single parents involved in the child welfare and justice systems.
- Collaborate across ACEH teams (Housing, CAIS, Land-Based Healing, and Youth programs) to ensure that YEK’AUTW (Place of Hope) Cohort Family Members receive wraparound supports
- Collaborate with other ACEH Program or House Managers to support referrals, eligibility for living independently, and assist Family Members with accessing housing, employment and cultural supports post-incarceration.
Reporting & Administrative Responsibilities
- Document case notes daily in CAMS (case management system) and maintain accurate timely records.
- Record accounting and track spending.
- Upload and maintain accurate documents on YEK’AUTW SharePoint.
- Attend and inform weekly Justice Case Management meetings.
- Contribute to quarterly reports and updates for program development, evaluations and funders.
- Participate in ACEH team training and knowledge-sharing sessions, which may include presenting at quarterly in-services.
- Assist with additional duties and gatherings as required by the Indigenous Community Justice Program Manager or the Director of Community Engagement, Protocol and Justice.
Qualifications & Education:
Required
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in community support work, justice-related services, or advocacy.
- Experience working with the Indigenous communities, particularly those who are unhoused.
- Knowledge of the criminal justice system, including support of individuals involved with corrections or courts.
- Experience or personal insights working with people with disabilities, lived experience, and addictions are considered assets.
- This position requires a valid driver's license and working vehicle.
- Required to consent to the Ministry of Justice Criminal Record Check for Working with Vulnerable Adults.
Preferred
- Experience working with non-profit organizations, family support, social services, and Indigenous support services and programs considered an asset.
- Preferred Naloxone Overdose Training and Certification.
- Preferred First Aid Certification.
- Preferred Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.
Preferred Skills & Values
- Strong knowledge of the impacts of colonization, including but not limited to intergenerational trauma, Residential Schools, the Sixties Scoop, and other oppressive systems.
- Familiarity with Indigenous protocols, local language, cultural practices; ability to engage respectfully in territory-specific ways of being.
- Ability to work holistically, professionally, and without judgment across diverse lived experiences
- Progressive understanding of persistent mental illness, addictions, and other challenges and how these impact people's overall health, well-being, and quality of life.
- Personal insights into working with people who are unhoused.
- Skilled at responding to unexpected events and assessing high-risk situations with grounded decision making and crisis intervention techniques.
- Ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic, community-led environment.
- Collaborative, strengths-based communicator with the ability to listen, ask questions for clarification and implement resolution.
- Able to communicate in writing with clarity, care, and thoughtful structure.
Working Conditions
- Some duties involve driving to different locations, including correctional facilities, ACEH Housing locations, or community gatherings.
- This position is based in lək̓ʷəŋiʔnəŋ territory (Victoria, B.C) and requires in-person presence at ACEH sites and programs.
- Flexible hours may be required, including evenings and weekends.
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