Community Navigator

Canadian Mental Health Association- Calgary Region; Calgary; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

CMHA Calgary is seeking a dedicated Community Navigator to guide individuals and families through mental health and substance use resources. You will connect people with CMHA programs and external services, serving as a key conduit to tailored supports within the community.

You will collaborate with internal teams, partners, and community groups, maintain current knowledge of resources, and represent CMHA Calgary at wellness events while ensuring timely data entry and ongoing program delivery.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a human services field (e.g., psychology, social work, education).
• Minimum of three (3) years' professional experience in the mental health field.
• ASIST certification and crisis support experience.
• NVCI, CPR and First Aid training are assets.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills with diverse groups.
• Proficiency with MS Office and virtual platforms (Zoom).

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centered support and guidance on CMHA Calgary and external services.
• Serve as central contact to determine appropriate internal or external referrals.
• Collaborate with CMHA Calgary teams and partners for targeted in-service workshops.
• Represent CMHA Calgary on community committees and liaise with other organizations.
• Stay current with local mental health resources and referral pathways.
• Represent CMHA Calgary at wellness fairs and host learning sessions.
• Maintain timely program data entry per agency standards.
• Engage in short-term projects to support the role and organization.

Skills

ASIST Certification

NVCI

CPR and First Aid

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Zoom

facilitation skills

Communication

Time management

Relationship-building

Cultural competency

Education

Undergraduate degree in a human services field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Microsoft PowerPoint

Zoom

Job description

Position Title

Community Navigator

Department

Community Programs

Position Type

Permanent, Full-Time

Hours of Work

35 hours per week

Reports To

Senior Manager - Community Programs

Position Summary

The Community Navigator serves as a compassionate and knowledgeable gateway for individuals and families seeking support for mental health and/or substance use concerns. The Community Navigator plays a pivotal role in helping community members understand and access a wide range of services, offered both within CMHA Calgary and through external agencies and organizations. As a key connector, this role ensures individuals are supported in finding relevant resources, tailored to each individual's unique needs, while fostering greater access to mental health and wellness supports across the community.

Key Service Responsibilities and Specific Accountabilities

• Provide accessible, person-centered support to individuals and loved ones seeking mental health or substance use services, by offering informed guidance on CMHA Calgary programs, as well as external services within the broader community.
• Serve as a central point of contact and provide support to community members, and CMHA Calgary clients and staff, to determine appropriate service referrals internally and/or to external organizations, while empowering individuals to make informed choices about their care and support pathways.
• Collaborate with internal CMHA Calgary teams and community partners to identify and offer targeted in-service workshops on a variety of social support topics, and ensure seamless learning opportunities and connection points between organizations.
• Participate as a CMHA Calgary representative in community partnership committees, action tables and working groups, and act as a liaison for other organizations to connect with about services and programs available to assist their clients through CMHA Calgary.
• Stay current with up-to-date knowledge of local mental health, addiction, and social support resources, and maintain a network of referral pathways and relationships with community organizations.
• Represent CMHA Calgary at wellness fairs, facilitate learning sessions, and host tours for clients and groups who are interested in learning more about program offerings.
• Maintain program data entry in a manner that is timely and meets established agency standards.
• Engage in short-term project development or other duties as required to support the success of the role and organization.

Qualifications and Skills

• Undergraduate degree in a human services field (e.g., psychology, social work, education, nursing, sociology).
• Minimum of three (3) years' professional experience in the mental health field.
• Certification in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and experience supporting individuals in crisis or with suicidal ideation.
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), CPR and First Aid training are considered assets.
• Thorough understanding of issues related to mental health, community services, and offering support for people with lived experience of mental health and/or addiction concerns.
• Strong collaborative and relationship-building skills with key stakeholders and community groups.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships with individuals from a variety of backgrounds,
• Cultural competency in working with diverse groups.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Zoom.
• Facilitation skills with a deep commitment to the recovery model, harm reduction philosophy, strengths-based empowerment approaches, and solid upstream prevention and promotion thinking.
• Demonstrated competence in verbal, written, and computer-based communication styles.
• Effective conflict resolution, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Approachable, accessible, and facilitates cooperation.
• Works effectively both independently and in a team environment.
• Excellent time management, with the ability to handle multiple priorities. A high level of initiative, self-motivation, and self-management.

Additional Requirements

• A valid driver’s license and/or access to reliable transportation, and a willingness to travel across Calgary and surrounding communities regularly for program delivery is required.
• Ability to work flexible hours including daytime, evenings, and weekends is required.
• This role requires a balance between client engagement, verbal communication, and computer-based work, and the ability to manage multiple and competing priorities.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be a thorough list of all responsibilities, tasks, duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities required. As a member of our frontline team, you may be exposed to emotionally charged and high-stress situations. It is essential that you demonstrate resilience, sound judgment, emotional regulation, and the ability to maintain composure and professionalism under pressure. CMHA Calgary operates CCTV equipment on its premises for safety and security purposes. All employees may be subject to video monitoring while on site. CMHA Calgary is a smoke-free work environment, there may be occasional exposure to second-hand smoke from designated smoking areas nearby.