Social Planner - HELP Navigator Operations Coordinator

City Of Edmonton; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 102,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Edmonton is seeking two Social Planners to support the HELP Unit operations in a leadership-capacity role for navigator co-responders. This position emphasizes operational coordination, policy translation, and risk management within the HELP program.

Team leads will guide Navigators, ensure program compliance, and collaborate with Edmonton Police Service leadership to optimize service delivery while maintaining a strong emphasis on client safety and community partnership.

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work or related field with minimum five years of field experience in coaching, mentoring, and advisory support to early-career professionals.
• Master's degree in social work or related field with minimum three years of professional experience in area of specialization.
• Undergraduate degree in Social Work or related field with minimum three years of relevant field experience.
• Diploma in Social Work or related field with minimum five years of relevant field experience, including progressively responsible coaching and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily Navigator operations and workload priorities, providing frontline mentorship to Navigators.
• Ensure HELP program requirements, documentation standards, and reporting expectations are met.
• Translate policies into clear procedures and workflows for operational use.
• Monitor staffing levels and escalate shortages when needed.
• Support case consultations to identify services, transportation options, and safe client placements.
• Promote consistent HELP rules, documentation and reporting practices.
• Act as primary contact for operational issues and escalate critical incidents.
• Maintain incident reporting, risk management, and escalation processes and lead debriefs with leadership.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings to support HELP operations and strengthen partner collaboration.

Skills

Coaching

Mentoring

Advisory support

Crisis intervention

De-escalation

Recovery coaching

Team coordination

Education

Degree in Social Work

Master's degree in Social Work

Undergraduate degree in Social Work or related field

Diploma in Social Work

Job description

Job Number: 55917This posting is for two (2) Temporary Full-time positions with Benefits, that may be extended for up to 36 monthsThe Edmonton Police Service has an opportunity for two (2) Social Planners to support EPS’s HELP Unit operations. Functioning as team lead positions for navigator co-responders with police to calls for service in social disordered spaces. The HELP Navigator Operations Coordinator provides day-to-day operational leadership, functional guidance, and strategic mentorship to the HELP Navigator team. This role is pivotal in ensuring consistent service delivery, optimizing workflow management, and maintaining strict alignment with established program protocols. Leveraging senior-level expertise in social service navigation, the coordinator serves as a critical liaison, facilitating seamless communication and information translation between Navigators and Edmonton Police Service (EPS) members.This position reflects the redesign of the HELP Team Lead role to align with a municipally governed service model and clarified governance structure. The role has been reframed to provide operational coordination and functional guidance without supervisory, disciplinary, or people-management authority. Formal management accountability remains with Edmonton Police Service leadership. Responsibilities of this position will include: Coordinate daily Navigator operations, workload priorities, and provide frontline mentorship.Ensure compliance with HELP program requirements, documentation standards, and reporting expectations.Translate EPS and program policies into clear operational procedures and workflows.Monitor staffing levels and escalate staffing shortages as required.Support case consultations to identify appropriate services, transportation options, and safe client placements.Promote consistent application of HELP business rules, documentation, and reporting practices.Act as the primary contact for operational issues, resolving routine matters and escalating critical incidents.Maintain and improve critical incident reporting, risk management, and escalation processes.Facilitate incident debriefs, information sharing, and lessons learned with Navigators and EPS leadership.Participate in internal and external stakeholder meetings to support HELP operations.Assist Navigators in addressing barriers within partner systems and service pathways.Promote consistent messaging and role clarity with community partners. Perform additional HELP operational coordination and support duties as assigned by EPS leadership.This position requires an individual who can effectively operate in both office and field environments alongside Edmonton Police Service members. Candidates must be capable of meeting the physical and mental demands of frontline operational work, maintaining personal safety, and responding effectively in dynamic and evolving situations involving members of the public.Qualifications:Degree in Social Work, Business Administration, Sociology, Recreation or in a related field, and a minimum of five (5) years of field of experience consisting of increasing levels of coaching, mentoring, and advisory support of early-career professionals. (OR)Master’s degree in social work, Business Administration, Sociology or related field and a minimum of three (3) years professional experience in area of specialization.An undergraduate degree in Social Work, Business Administration, Sociology, Recreation, or a related field, combined with a minimum of three (3) years of relevant field experience, may be considered.A Diploma in Social Work, Business Administration, Sociology, Recreation, or a related field, combined with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant field experience, including progressively responsible coaching, mentoring, and advisory support to early-career professionals, may be considered as an equivalent combination of education and experience.Holders of degrees in Social Work must be registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers.Experience working in a policing environment (preferably Edmonton Police Services) would be an asset.Formal training in crisis intervention, de-escalation, and recovery coaching would be assets.Up to date First Aid training (or willingness to obtain) is a requirementDriver’s license as an assetMust be able to work independently and in collaboration with others and as part of a team.Applicants who do not meet the educational requirements but do meet the relevant field experience qualifications are welcome to apply.Hours of Work: 40 hours a week. Hours of work follow the operational schedule of the two HELP Teams to support the Navigators assigned to them. 4 days on, 4 days off. Workdays consist of 2 dayshifts, 2 afternoon shifts.Salary Range: 21B, Grade 032: $48.77- $61.62 (Hourly); $3,901.90- $4,930.20 (Bi-Weekly); $101,840.11-$128,679.26 (Annually). The rates quoted are in accordance with a collective agreement between the Union and the City of Edmonton.General:The City of Edmonton thanks applicants for their interest in this opportunity. Candidates considered for the position will be contacted.We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome diversity and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.Please include a current resume and cover letter with your online application.The option to work remotely is not available at this time.Applicants may be tested.As part of your pre-hire screening, you will be required to complete an Enhanced Security Clearance. Should you accept employment with the Edmonton Police Service you acknowledge and agree to participate in future Enhanced Security Re-Clearances at schedule intervals or in any other circumstances, exigent or otherwise as required by Human Resources Division.Applicants who have completed post-secondary education outside of Canada are encouraged to obtain an assessment of their credentials through the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) (https://www.alberta.ca/international-qualifications-assessment.aspx) or another recognized Canadian credential evaluation service. For a list of designated evaluators, please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (https://canalliance.org/en/default.html). Including an IQAS certificate or other credential assessment certificate from a recognized Canadian credential evaluation service with your application is recommended to support the evaluation of the applicant’s educational qualification.The Province of Alberta is a party to the Federal Agreement on Internal Trade, the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility with British Columbia and the New West Partnership Trade Agreement with British Columbia and Saskatchewan. All of these agreements promote labour mobility between the Provinces. Applicants may obtain information regarding recognition of extra provincial credentials at www.newwestpartnershiptrade.ca.Edmonton rests in the heart of Treaty Six territory in Alberta and the homelands of the Metis Nation.HR Consultant: GLClassification Title: Social PlannerPosting Date: Aug 21, 2026Closing Date: Sep 4, 2026 11:59:00 PMNumber of Openings (up to): 2 - Temporary Full-timeUnion : CSU 52Department: Edmonton Police ServiceWork Location(s):Union Building, 10319 106 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5H 0P410319 106 Avenue Edmonton T5H 0P4