Community Outreach Peacebuilder

Reach; Lethbridge; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

MCC Alberta is accepting applications for the Community Outreach Peacebuilder at the MCC Thrift Shop in Lethbridge. This full-time role emphasizes relationship-building and trauma-informed approaches to support neighbors facing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges.

The Peacebuilder will work with volunteers and staff to create a safe, welcoming environment while collaborating with local agencies and the Thrift Store leadership. A minimum two-year commitment is expected.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to Christian faith, church involvement, and nonviolent, restorative approaches to conflict.
• Experience in chaplaincy, pastoral care, congregational ministry, social work, or community outreach with ability to offer spiritual and emotional support across beliefs.
• Competence in frontline crisis response and de-escalation; trauma-informed practices, MHFA or Naloxone experience is a plus.
• Experience with poverty, homelessness, addiction, or mental health challenges.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and partnerships skills.
• Ability to establish rapport with people in crisis, volunteers, staff, and partners.
• Calm, professional demeanor across diverse backgrounds.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks independently.
• Ability to coach or mentor volunteers or staff.
• Ability to maintain confidential records.

Responsibilities

• Be a calm, visible presence in the Thrift Store during peak hours, including evenings and Saturdays.
• Respond to safety concerns using trauma-informed, non-violent de-escalation while maintaining boundaries and staff safety.
• Build trust with individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, or crisis.
• Assess safety risk in real time and contact emergency services or outreach teams when needed.
• Liaise with the Thrift Store Manager and leadership on emerging safety concerns and incidents.
• Develop and implement violence-prevention and incident-response protocols with leadership.
• Debrief and offer post-incident support to volunteers and staff involved in incidents.
• Design and deliver volunteer training on de-escalation, trauma-informed care, and boundaries.
• Recruit, train, and support a volunteer welcoming team for a safe, compassionate environment.
• Maintain accurate incident documentation and follow-up records.

Skills

De-escalation

Relationship building

Volunteer training

Community outreach

Communication

Conflict prevention

Organizational skills

Documentation

Driver's license

Criminal record check

Education

Chaplaincy/pastoral care background

Social work or community outreach

Homelessness/mental health experience

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

The Community Outreach Peacebuilder is a relational, community-based role that promotes safety, dignity, and peace at the MCC Thrift Shop in Lethbridge. The Peacebuilder serves as a calm, compassionate, and visible presence among volunteers, customers, and community members, particularly those experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, mental health challenges, or crisis.

Rather than functioning as a security guard, the Community Outreach Peacebuilder responds through relationship-building, conflict de-escalation, boundary setting, referrals, and peacebuilding practices rooted in MCC’s values. A central goal of the role is to provide a tangible sense of safety for Thrift volunteers, while extending Christ-like presence and practical support to neighbors facing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges.

The primary purpose of this role is to help create a safe, welcoming, and peaceful environment for volunteers, customers, and community members through relationship‑building, conflict prevention, and community engagement.

Due to the relational aspect of the position, we are looking for an individual who can commit for a minimum of 2 years.

Job Details

Salaried Employee -Full Time at 1 FTE

Qualifications

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Required

• Demonstrated commitment to Christian faith, active church involvement, and a clear commitment to nonviolent, restorative approaches to conflict.
• Education and experience in chaplaincy, pastoral care, congregational ministry, social work, community outreach, or related fields, with the ability to offer spiritual and emotional support across a range of beliefs and backgrounds.
• Competence in front-line crisis response and de‑escalation skills. Or Training or experience in conflict de‑escalation, crisis intervention, trauma‑informed practice, Mental Health First Aid, and/or Naloxone response is considered an asset.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, or trauma.
• Strong relationship‑building, communication, facilitation, and partnership‑development skills.
• Ability to establish rapport and trust with people in crisis, volunteers, staff, and community partners.
• Strong networking, relationship‑and partnership‑building skills.
• A calm, approachable, and professional demeanor, with the ability to relate respectfully to people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft 365 (TEAMS, Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize a wide variety of tasks independently.
• Ability to coach, mentor, or train volunteers or staff.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and records while handling confidential information appropriately.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and Saturdays, aligned with Thrift Store activity.
• Valid Alberta Class 5 driver's license.
• Clear criminal record check, including vulnerable sector check.
• Legally entitled to work in Canada.

Preferred

• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or equivalent chaplaincy training.
• Training or education in restorative justice, conflict transformation, peacebuilding, mediation, or community development.
• Standard First Aid / CPR certification
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) or comparable de‑escalation certification
• Naloxone administration training.Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and/or trauma‑informed care training.
• Familiarity with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.
• Familiarity with Lethbridge‑area agencies and supports serving people who are homeless, street‑involved, or struggling with addiction and mental health challenges

Key Responsibilities

1. Safety, Conflict Prevention, and Crisis Response

• Be a calm, visible, and approachable presence in and around the Thrift Store during peak hours, including evenings and Saturdays.
• Respond to disruptive situations, safety concerns, and crisis events using trauma‑informed, non‑violent de‑escalation practices while maintaining clear behavioral boundaries and supporting volunteer and staff safety.
• Build trust and rapport with individuals who frequently visit the area and who may be experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, or crisis.
• Assess safety risk in real time and contact emergency services (police, EMS), outreach teams, or other appropriate supports when necessary.
• Liaise regularly with the Thrift Store Manager and leadership team regarding emerging safety concerns, patterns, and incidents.
• Develop, refine, and implement violence‑prevention and incident‑response protocols in collaboration with Thrift Store leadership.
• Debrief and offer post‑incident support to volunteers and staff involved in or affected by an occurrence.

2. Volunteer Support and Capacity Building

• Foster a culture of empathy, dignity, hospitality, and proactive support among volunteers and staff.
• Design and deliver training for volunteers and staff on conflict de‑escalation, trauma‑informed approaches, healthy boundaries, and peacebuilding practices.
• Recruit, train, and support a volunteer welcoming team that fosters a safe, welcoming, and compassionate environment through positive relationships and appropriate referrals (volunteers are not expected to intervene in unsafe situations).
• Provide ongoing encouragement, coaching, and emotional support to volunteers and staff.

3. Community Outreach and Partnerships

• Build relationships and referral pathways with Lethbridge‑area agencies that support individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, and mental health challenges.
• Establish collaborative relationships with neighboring organizations, businesses, service providers, and community partners facing similar safety and outreach concerns to share learning, resources, and best practices.
• Connect community members, when appropriate, with available services and supports that may contribute to their well‑being and stability.
• Participate in MCC’s anti‑poverty, restorative justice, and community engagement networks for peer support, learning, and ongoing professional development.
• Represent MCC Alberta’s mission, values, and commitment to non‑violent peacemaking in interactions with community agencies, local authorities, volunteers, customers, and the broader public.
• Help identify emerging community needs and trends that may affect the Thrift Store and contribute to recommendations for future responses and partnerships.

4. Program Development, Evaluation, and Administration

• Maintain consistent, accurate documentation of incidents, follow‑ups, and learning outcomes.
• Support the implementation and ongoing refinement of violence‑prevention and safety policies in partnership with the Program Director and Thrift Store leadership.
• Participate in a monthly check‑in meeting together with the Thrift Store Manager and the Program Director to assess progress, identify emerging concerns, share lessons learned, and adapt the program as needed.
• Contribute to ongoing program evaluation, including tracking outcomes and recommending improvements.

Other

• Maintain a high level of integrity, reflecting a Christ‑like character toward colleagues, volunteers, community partners, and neighbors who are unhoused or marginalized.
• Model non‑violent peacemaking through respectful daily interactions with staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Participate in MCCA orientations, staff meetings, and Staff Annual Retreat.
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned.