Housing & Systems Navigator (Coordinated Entry Program Journey Church Day Space) Full Time NEW

Housing & Systems Navigator
Coordinated Entry Program Journey Church Day Space

For over 50 years, Distress Centre has served Calgary and Southern Alberta by providing 24-hour crisis support, information, and resources at no cost. Distress Centre does not define crisis. We do not judge. Anyone can call us day or night.

We are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive workplace where people are valued and where employees experience a sense of belonging and are confident to be their best and most authentic selves. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, and members of equity-deserving groups. We value all the ways that our community is diverse – in identity, experience and perspective.

About Journey Church Day Space and Distress Centre Programs:

The Journey Church Day Space in Royal Oak is a partnership-based initiative that provides individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness with a safe, welcoming environment to meet immediate needs. The Day Space offers access to food, rest, hygiene, technology, and community resources to provide wellness and recovery.

Distress Centre Calgary (DCC) delivers the Coordinated Entry Program (CEP) at the Day Space, providing intake, assessment, and referral services that connect participants to housing and other essential supports. CEP staff focus on system navigation and service delivery, including applications, referrals, and follow-up

What to Expect

The Housing & Systems Navigator is a primary point of access for individuals and families engaging with the Coordinated Entry Program at the Journey Church Day Space. Reporting to CEP Team Lead, Journey Church, this role focuses on early engagement, eligibility screening, CAA assessment, and system navigation to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness to identify appropriate housing and support pathways.

Key Outcomes

In this role, you will:

Equitable and timely access to the Coordinated Entry System Individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness are engaged in a trauma-informed manner, screened for eligibility, and completed on CAA assessments in alignment with CHF Coordinated Entry policies, resulting in accurate prioritization and appropriate housing pathway identification.

Progress toward housing stability and system integration Participants receive effective system navigation, referrals, and follow-through that reduce barriers to housing and supports, strengthen coordination with CHF-funded programs and community partners, and support movement toward housing placement, stability, and improved wellbeing.
 

What You’ll Do
This list highlights core responsibilities and is not exhaustive. Additional related duties may arise over time and will be discussed and supported by your supervisor.

Systems Navigation (approximately 45%)
Engage individuals and families through welcoming, trauma-informed conversations to understand immediate needs, goals, and priorities.
Conduct informal screening and needs assessments to identify appropriate housing, income, health, justice, and community support pathways as well as accurately record participant interactions, referrals, and outcomes in HMIS and other systems, following confidentiality and ethical standards.
Support participants with applications, referrals, and required documentation.
Coordinate navigation supports for participants engaging with multiple services, promoting continuity and a cohesive service experience.
Build and maintain rapport with participants to encourage continued engagement, follow-through, and connection to longer-term supports as appropriate.
Collaborate with partner agencies and Day Space staff to support integrated service delivery and effective warm transfers.

CAA Housing Strategist (approximately 40%)

Facilitate completion of standardized Coordinated Access Assessments in accordance with Coordinated Entry, CAA, and CHF policies and procedures.
Educate participants and community partners about Coordinated Entry processes, CHF-funded supportive housing programs, and system pathways to support informed decision-making.
Collaborate with participants to identify housing-related goals and maintain communication regarding housing referrals and opportunities, while actively participating in Coordinated Entry meetings, case conferencing, and system-level discussions to support coordinated triage and placement.
Liaise with housing providers and system partners to support warm referrals, information-sharing, and successful transitions into housing.

Day Space Engagement (approximately 15%)
Work collaboratively to warmly welcome individuals accessing the Day Space, including frequent visitors not yet connected to services, while supporting participant flow and service expectations with site partners, particularly during peak times or service transitions.
Provide crisis support and de-escalation in collaboration with on-site partners.
Respond to drug poisoning incidents in or near the Day Space by following established overdose response and emergency protocols.
Contribute to maintaining a clean, organized, and welcoming space, including supporting access to basic needs supplies, in partnership with Journey Church staff and volunteers.
Participate in team meetings, training, and planning sessions to support with coordination and continuous service delivery.

Partnership & Collaborative Practice
Actively contribute to a strong, respectful partnership between Distress Centre Calgary and Journey Church by communicating openly, sharing responsibilities, and supporting aligned approaches to participant care and space operations.
Engage in community and partner-facing activities that strengthen collaboration, trust, and positive relationships within the Day Space and surrounding community.

Hours of work and conditions

Work location: On-site

Hours: General work hours are 9:30AM to 5:30PM Monday to Friday

Weekly offsite outreach work expected.
Working in a fast-paced crisis environment which requires de-escalation skills.
Universal precautions knowledge and ability to complete specialized training applicable to service delivery.

What you bring to the role:

Qualifications & Experience

Undergraduate degree or diploma in the human services field. Equivalent education and experience, including lived experience, will be considered.
Demonstrated experience working with individuals and families in crisis those with highly complex needs.
Knowledge of and experience delivering homelessness support services, including crisis assessment and intervention, along with strong awareness of community resources within and beyond the homelessness system of care.
Demonstrated understanding and connection to Indigenous cultures, traditions, and protocols, with experience integrating them into program delivery, combined with knowledge of social services and supports for Indigenous people; lived experience or connections to Indigenous communities are considered a strong asset.
Ability to maintain composure under pressure and work effectively in fast-paced, unpredictable environments, with strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and prioritization skills to succeed both independently and in team settings.
Familiarity with participant data management systems, or ability to learn quickly, and knowledge of homelessness, addiction, domestic violence, and mental health challenges.
Valid Alberta driver’s license with access to a vehicle for occasional outreach, and $2M liability insurance coverage.
Skills/Abilities:

Lived experience or a deep understanding and ties to Indigenous communities is an advantage
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Adaptable communication to suit the recipient.
Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office and other program software
Core Competencies:

Client/Service Centred Work – you make clients the ultimate focus of our agency, team, and individual choices and actions.

Partnerships, Relationships, & Teamwork – you build and maintain productive, collaborative working relationships within and across groups, both internally and externally, to accomplish our common goals.

Growth Mindset/Learning – you actively identify new areas for learning and take advantage of opportunities to learn in whatever form they come. You apply your newly gained knowledge in your jobs and share these skills with others.

Communication – you clearly convey information and ideas through a variety of media in a way that engages the audience and helps them to understand and inviting dialogue and inciting action where appropriate.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – we build and sustain an inclusive work environment where all individuals are welcomed, supported, respected, and valued for their unique experiences, perspectives, talents, and contributions.

Change Management – you maintain your team and personal effectiveness when being impacted by changes within the organization.

Self-Management – you take responsibility for yourself and your actions.

What Distress Centre has to offer:

Vacation starting at 3 weeks
Extended health and dental benefits from your start date
RRSP matching and Health Spending Account
Access to on-site gym at no cost
Paid development days and a staff development fund
A supportive, mission-driven workplace making a real community impact

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter through our Career Centre.

Distress Centre is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. If you require accommodations at any stage of the application or interview process, please contact [email protected] – we’re happy to support you. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.