Community Resource Specialist (Casual)

United Way British Columbia; Burnaby; Hybrid; CAD 36,000 - 44,000; Part time

Job summary

United Way British Columbia is seeking a Community Resource Specialist to provide information, referrals, and crisis support via the Helpline Services. The role emphasizes trauma-informed, client-centered care with a focus on vulnerable populations across Metro Vancouver and BC.

Casual on-call shifts include evenings, overnights, and weekends, with potential day shifts. Six weeks of full-time training is provided, and remote work may be required.

Qualifications

• Diploma in a human/social service or related field, or recent related experience or training.
• Knowledge of human services in Metro Vancouver and the province of BC.
• Experience in one or more areas of addiction, victim services, or crisis counseling is an asset.
• Lived experience as a member of an equity deserving group is considered.

Responsibilities

• Respond to client enquiries in a timely manner and assess needs.
• Provide relevant and up-to-date information and referrals.
• Offer emotional support and light counseling as needed.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of programs and complete required documentation.
• Keep consistent case notes and participate in QA activities.
• Attend staff meetings and required events; pursue required certifications.

Skills

Independent work

Risk assessment

Work under pressure

Time management

Feedback openness

Self-reflection

Team player

Microsoft Office

Bilingual or multilingual asset

Education

Diploma in human/social services or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

UNITED WAY BC IS PROUD TO BE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF CANADA'S TOP 100 EMPLOYERS FOR 2026 !

ABOUT US – WHY WE’RE HERE

Across British Columbia, communities are facing urgent and complex social challenges. United Way BC is committed to delivering lasting, community-driven impact in partnership with diverse populations across the province — including Indigenous communities whose territories we live and work on. From Vancouver Island to the Lower Mainland, and across the Thompson Nicola Cariboo, Southern Interior, Trail and District, and East Kootenay regions, we walk alongside communities to create meaningful and equitable change.

Our missionis to strengthen vital connections that support people in need in our communities.

Our visionis to create a healthy, caring and inclusive community.

How do we deliver on our mission and vision – by delivering resources and support for those who need it most, and by living our values of being collaborative, compassionate, strategic, responsive, accountable, and inspiring.

For a more in-depth to look into our work and programs, please visit: www.uwbc.ca .

ABOUT YOU

As a Community Resource Specialist, you bring experience in supporting vulnerable populations, crisis intervention, and providing community information and referrals. You have a strong understanding of social services and mental health resources across Metro Vancouver and BC. With 1–3 years in frontline roles, you are skilled in communication, risk assessment, and problem-solving. Your background in human or social services supports a trauma-informed, client-centered approach.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Community Resource Specialist provides information and referral services, crisis and emotional support, and service navigation to clients of United Way British Columbia Helpline Services.

*This is a casual position requiring availability for on-call shifts as they are announced. These will mainly be evenings, overnights, and weekends, with some daytime availability.

**We are hiring for multiple openings. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the posting will remain open until all positions are filled.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responds to client enquiries in a timely manner by:
  • Assessing clients’ needs and assisting clients in prioritizing.
  • Providing relevant and up-to-date information.
  • Providing emotional support and soft counseling as required.
  • Providing appropriate referrals and problem-solving support options when referrals are limited, while ensuring any eligibility criteria are still met.
  • Providing crisis supports and intervention as necessary.
• Completes documentation as required for partnered programs and maintains up-to-date knowledge on these programs.
• Keeps appropriate and consistent case notes.
• Maintains current knowledge of community resources and issues by reading assigned material, attending appropriate training, and completing required refreshers.
• Participates in ongoing quality assurance/quality improvement activities such as coaching and call reviews.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings and events and workshops hosted by UWBC and Helpline Services as required.
• Attains and maintains InformUSA certification.
• Participates in projects and completes tasks that are extension of core services provided by Helpline Services.
• Performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Core Competencies:

• Ability to work independently, set priorities and effectively allocate time and resources
• Excellent risk assessment skills and judgment when dealing with possible safety and/or endangerment
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently under pressure
• Learning attitude, and openness to listen to and apply feedback
• Ability to be self-reflective
• Ability to maintain co-operative working relationships with other members of staff
• Ability to quickly read, process, and organize information, and share it
• Ability to work and learn quickly and efficiently under pressure
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of standard office practices
• Strong team player
• Competent proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Fluency in an additional language is an asset
• Ability to work all shifts

Experience/Education:

• Diploma in a human/social service or related field, or recent related experience or training
• Knowledge of human services in Metro Vancouver and the province of BC
• Experience in one or more areas of addiction, victim services, or crisis counseling is an asset
• Lived experience as a member of an equity deserving group is considered

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• There will be six (6) weeks of full-time training, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm, after which the shift availability will be as stated under About This Role
• Remote working from a home office location may be necessary

CHARACTERISTICS:

For success at United Way BC WBC and in this role, certain demonstrable characteristics will be required:

• A commitment to building healthy, caring and inclusive communities, internally and externally
• Embodying the organization’s core values to be collaborative, compassionate, strategic, responsive, accountable and inspiring
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and comfortably operate in it
• Drive to succeed as an individual and as a team member

At UWBC, we don’t just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, programs, donors, and the communities we live and work in. At UWBC, we encourage all applicants regardless of age, sex, gender identity, colour, religion, sexual orientation, or any other basis to apply.

This is a bargaining unit role with CUPE Local 1936. This position is at pay grid level 11, which is $27.85 hourly.