Community Responder (Casual)

Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre; Windsor; On-site; CAD 37,000 - 44,000; Part time

Job summary

Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Windsor, NS, is hiring a Casual Community Responder to provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, and follow-up support to individuals facing mental health, substance use, poverty, and housing crises. The role requires collaboration with community partners and adaptable responses across diverse needs.

Responsibilities include crisis response by phone, online, and in person; transportation to shelters; safety planning; and documenting interactions under OCAP

Qualifications

• Crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies.
• Suicide risk assessment and intervention.
• Harm reduction approach when supporting individuals.
• Ability to work with diverse communities including Indigenous, Black, 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse groups.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to lift 20 lbs.
• Background checks required (Vulnerable Sector, Child Abuse Registrar).

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis intervention by telephone, web-based and in-person.
• Offer transportation support to shelters or community services.
• De-escalate and manage crisis situations; request Emergency Services when needed.
• Provide suicide intervention if required.
• Follow up with clients, including wellness checks and referrals.
• Collaborate with clients to identify goals.
• Work with colleagues and leadership in a team setting.
• Document client interactions per OCAP and POSSE policies.
• Participate in meetings and trainings.
• Travel across rural service geographies.

Skills

Crisis intervention

De-escalation

Suicide risk assessment

Harm reduction

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Communication

Driver's license

Job description

Employment Opportunity – Casual: Community Responder

Location: Windsor, Nova Scotia

Salary Range: $27/hour-$32/hour

Employment Term: Nov 2026 – July 31st, 2027, with possibility of extension) Casual, 12 hours Shifts including evenings, nights and weekends.

Reports To: Project Director, CIAO Project Coordinator

POSSE – CIAO is a community based mental health and substance use crisis response model operated by Peer Outreach Support Services & Education, sponsored by The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre. POSSE – CIAO operates across West Hants Municipality. POSSE – CIAO operates with support from the Provincial Government's Office of Addictions and Mental Health (OAMH).

Job Summary

The Community Responder provides crisis intervention, de-escalation, crisis management, service navigation and follow-up support services to individuals in the community who are experiencing mental health, substance use, poverty and housing related crisis. The Community Responder will work collaboratively with community partners to provide help and assistance that is adapted to diverse needs and includes redirection to the appropriate level of response to support the individual.

Primary duties and responsibilities:

• Provide timely and appropriate telephone, web-based and in-person crisis intervention to individuals and families including assessment, de-escalation and conflict mediation when needed; in a safe and supportive manner in accordance with policies and protocols
• Provide transportation support to shelter or community supports when needed. This may include accompaniment in crisis vehicle;
• Exercise solid judgment in crisis and/or emergency situations, requesting support of Emergency Services if required;
• Provide suicide intervention if required;
• Provide follow-up crisis management post crisis contact. This may include wellness checks, directing to substance use and wellness supports, housing support, and mental health/wellness assessments where appropriate
• Work collaboratively with clients to identify, develop and fulfill the goals they identify as meaningful and relevant;
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and leadership and within a team environment;
• Actively participate in POSSE’s data collection and analysis by documenting client interactions within the first nations principle of OCAP as per established policy and protocols;
• Participate in team meetings, reflective practice sessions, internal and external trainings, as required;
• Work will include travel in the community locations across rural service geographies

Qualifications & Requirements:

• A combination of relevant education and experience in connected fields
• A demonstrated capacity to provide crisis intervention and utilize de-escalation strategies and interventions;
• A demonstrated ability to provide suicide risk assessment and interventions;
• A demonstrated ability to work with issues related to substance use and concurrent disorders within a harm reduction framework;
• A demonstrated ability to provide and adapt interventions to diverse groups including Persons with Disabilities, Black, Indigenous, Racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+ and Neurodiverse communities;
• A strong understanding of harm reduction policies and practices
• Strong ability to work from a human rights, gender-based analysis, harm reduction, and anti-oppression lens
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Ability to communicate effectively and have high level interpersonal skills
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Able to lift 20 lbs
• Strong organizational skills
• Background Check, Vulnerable Sector Check & Child Abuse Registrar

Application Deadline: Nov 23rd 2026

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 an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel working within this job title.

The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre is an equal opportunity employer; and complies with all fair employment practices laws. We are committed to providing a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment and prohibit the same against employees, applicants, or other covered persons by co-workers, supervisors, managers, or third parties based on a person’s race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, veteran status, disability unrelated to job requirements, ethnicity, genetic information, military service, political affiliation, marital status and pregnancy or other protected status.

The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre (MNFC) and POSSE Project reserves the right to refuse all applications for employment.The MNFC will not assume any expenses related to this or any job application process included and not limited to travel, relocation, and application development.

*Only those applicants who are screened in for an interview will be contacted