Social Planner - Navigator Operations Coordinator

Position: Social Planner - HELP Navigator Operations Coordinator
Job Number: 55917

This posting is for two (2) Temporary Full-time positions with Benefits, that may be extended for up to 36 months

The 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,…