Financial Wellness Navigator

Distress Centre Calgary; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation Entitlement

RRSP matching

Health Spending Account

Extended health and dental benefits

On-site gym access

Development days & staff fund

Job summary

Distress Centre Calgary is hiring two part-time Financial Wellness Navigators to support clients through CVITP tax filing, benefits access, and budgeting. The role is on-site at SORCe (1944 10 Ave SW) with flexible scheduling from Monday to Friday. This is a client-centered, trauma-informed position in a mission-driven environment.

You will help participants stabilize finances, access supports, and connect them with broader community services while maintaining accurate program data.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Accounting, Human Services, Financial Wellness, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 2–3 years of experience in tax support, financial wellness, financial navigation, or budgeting.
• Knowledge of CRA databases and CVITP policies; UFile is an asset.
• Experience or knowledge of homelessness context and supporting diverse populations.
• Strong interpersonal and cultural competency skills with diverse communities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, adaptable to participant needs.
• Strong organization, problem-solving and time-management, with attention to detail.
• Current certification or willingness to obtain Intermediate First Aid with CPR/AED Level C and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centered, trauma-informed financial navigation to participants facing barriers.
• Help participants access income support, pensions, and benefits.
• Build individualized budgets and discuss debt-relief options.
• Coordinate with financial institutions and provincial/federal programs.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Cultural competency

Organization

Problem-solving

Time management

First Aid CPR certification

Trauma-informed approach

Budgeting experience

Education

Diploma or degree in Accounting, Human Services, Financial Wellness, or related field

First Aid/CPR certification (Intermediate)

Tools

UFile

CRA databases

Job description

We are looking to fill 2 Part-Time positions, starting as soon as possible.

Location & Hours

Work location: On-site at SORCe (1944 10 Ave SW), as part of the Coordinated Entry Program, with potential for community-based work and visits to our Day Home space at Journey Church.

Hours: Part-Time at 21 hours weekly, with occasional evenings or weekends as required. Exact schedule is flexible within our operating hours from Monday to Friday.

What We Offer

• Generous Vacation Entitlement
• RRSP matching and Health Spending Account
• Extended health and dental benefits
• Access to on-site gym (999 site) at no cost
• Paid development days and a staff development fund
• A supportive, mission-driven workplace where you can grow, take on new challenges, and collaborate with colleagues that value integrity, hard work, and make a meaningful community impact

Who We Are

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 employees are valued, experience a sense of belonging, and are confident in being their 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.

What to Expect

The Financial Wellness Navigator reports to a Coordinated Entry Program (CEP) Team Lead. This role is responsible for helping people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness improve their financial stability. You will prepare and file income tax returns through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), help participants access the income and benefits they are entitled to, and connect them with meaningful supports across the SORCe collaborative and the wider community.

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.

Financial Navigation & Benefits Support

• Provide person-centred, trauma-informed, strengths-based financial navigation to participants facing multiple financial barriers
• Help participants access income support, pensions, benefits, and other provincial and federal programs
• Build individualized budgets with participants on limited incomes and explore debt-relief or forgiveness options
• Advocate with financial institutions, Alberta Supports, and Service Canada, including helping participants access their Service Canada accounts

Tax Preparation & Filing

• Prepare and file current and prior-year income tax returns
• Provide confidential tax support in line with CVITP and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) policies and procedures
• Work with the CRA on participant tax matters and help coordinate tax clinics

Intake, Assessment & Documentation

• Welcome participants, build trust, and complete intake and needs assessments
• Set and document financial wellness goals with participants
• Keep accurate participant and program data
• Take part in quarterly communities of practice

What You Bring

• A diploma or degree in Accounting, Human Services, Financial Wellness, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2 to 3 years of experience in tax support, financial wellness, financial navigation, or budgeting; with e ligibility to participate in the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP).
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, participant data systems and CRA databases; experience with UFile is an asset.
• Knowledge of homelessness and comfort supporting people who may experience mental health, substance use, or physical health concerns is an asset.
• Proven interpersonal and cultural competency skills to work effectively and respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, including Indigenous communities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to adjust your approach to each participant’s needs.
• Strong organization, problem-solving, and time-management skills, with close attention to detail and accuracy.
• Current certification or willingness to obtain Intermediate First Aid with CPR/AED Level C and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention.

Additional Employment Requirements

As a condition of employment, all successful candidates are required to complete and maintain a Police Information Check. For those in direct service user-facing roles, a Vulnerable Sector Search is also required.

Distress Centre is an inclusive workplace. If you are invited for an interview and require accommodation, please let us know. If you require accommodation during the application process, please call our main office and ask to speak to Human Resources.

We may also use AI-enabled tools to support aspects of the recruitment process. All hiring decisions are made by people and are guided by our commitment to fairness and inclusion.

We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.