Employment Navigator

THE PROGRAM 

StartWork is a contract with Momentum through the Government of Alberta. Through this partnership the Calgary Dream Centre has started a paid employment program made for people on Alberta Income Support who want to get back to work. We believe work helps people heal, find purpose, belong, and contribute to a life worth living. The program offers individuals on Alberta Income Support and with barriers rapid linkage to the labour market with wraparound supports. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Employment Navigator plays a vital role within both the Calgary Dream Centre community and the employment program. This position is responsible for delivering employment-focused services that support adults in achieving economic independence, personal growth, and long-term community integration and helping participants remain off income support and build meaningful, sustainable livelihoods. 

The Employment Navigator engages directly with participant workers throughout their journey, from intake and assessment through job placement and retention, while maintaining relationships with employer partners to support day-to-day placement needs. 

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE OF EMPLOYMENT 

• Conduct intake and eligibility screening; assist participants with completing forms and obtaining required documentation. 

• Assess each participant’s education, work history, strengths, challenges, and career goals. 

• Provide one-on-one mentorship to participant workers, serving as a consistent and responsive role model throughout their employment journey. 

• Support participants through the job search and application process, including resume development, online profiles, and interview preparation. 

• Facilitate job readiness curriculum and training sessions as . 

• Identify barriers to employment and facilitate removal through in-house or external referrals. 

• Provide supportive services as available. 

• Develop and maintain day-to-day relationships with employer partners to support job placements and retention. 

• Promote the program to community employers and connect participants with inclusive employment opportunities. 

• Support participants during workplace placements by mediating challenges and facilitating communication with employers. 

• Facilitate client led development of employment transition plans. 

• Provide regular progress updates to case managers based on observed participant needs. 

• Provide follow-up and retention services, including career guidance, wage advancement support, and community resource referrals. 

• Document employment updates, status changes, and case notes in the program database. 

• Track job-readiness training, work placement hours, attendance, and outcome data. 

• Meet reporting requirements in accordance with program and funder standards. 

• Attend team and agency meetings. 

• Engage and support participant workers in their healing and recovery journey. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

The scope of employment may include:

• Work with struggling individuals who may use aggressive behavior (verbal and/or physical) in their interactions with staff and community members 

• Handling difficult situations with community members which involve the impact of trauma, addictions, suicidal ideations, and/or mental health challenges 

SUCCESS CRITERIA  

The Employment Navigator will be considered successful in this role when they are: 

• Consistently supporting participants through all stages of the employment journey, from intake to job placement and retention 

• Building and maintaining positive, trust-based relationships with participant workers, employer partners, and community referral sources 

• Demonstrating a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approach in all participant interactions 

• Facilitating timely and effective removal of barriers to employment through internal support or external referrals 

• Achieving strong job retention outcomes, with participants maintaining employment at 30, 60, 90, and 180 days post-placement 

• Keeping participant records, case notes, and outcome data accurate, current, and compliant 

• Collaborating effectively with the Program Manager, the multi disciplinary team, and community partners to advance participant employment transition plans 

• Contributing to a program environment that reflects the values of dignity, respect, and community 

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIRED: 

• Education in counselling, human services, social sciences, or a related field, or working towards preferred 

• Experience in employment services, case management, addictions counselling, recovery coaching, or a related field preferred 

• Experience working with diverse populations, including individuals with lived experience of addiction, incarceration, poverty, or marginalization 

• Strong interest in addiction recovery or workforce development services 
   

DESIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Computer proficient (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint); ability to learn and use program data management systems. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including professional case documentation and reporting. 

• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and maintain a safe, supportive, and interactive environment. 

• Capacity to manage and lead people; skilled team builder who can connect with individuals and groups 

• Mission-driven with a strong personal work ethic and genuine commitment to recovery. 

• Able to maintain strong professional and personal boundaries while providing authentic mentorship. 

• Challenge seeker and creative problem solver; comfortable acting decisively with limited information. 

• Able to hold team members and community members accountable with compassion and consistency. 

• Not afraid to take charge; able to overcome resistance and take unpopular stands when necessary. 

• Detail-oriented; thrives in shared, fast-paced office environments with frequent interruptions