Community Support Navigator

About Us
Kelowna Women’s Shelter has been providing programs and services for people impacted by domestic abuse since 1980. Our programs include emergency and second‑stage housing, outreach services, PEACE program, education and prevention initiatives, a 24/7 support line, and a community thrift store. We are committed to fostering safety, choice and inclusion, and believe in building a community free from abuse through education, support and strong partnerships.

Summary
The Community Support Navigator will provide compassionate, non‑judgmental support, crisis intervention and essential resources to individuals experiencing domestic violence. As the first point of contact with our agency, this role will provide information regarding domestic violence and abuse and related programmes and services both internal and external to the agency. Community Support Program team members provide sessions at a safe location, by phone or virtual technology, including emotional care, risk assessments, safety planning, goal setting, referrals to community services and information about domestic violence.

The programme is designed to walk alongside individuals on their journey toward a life free from violence and abuse.

Key Responsibilities

Establish and maintain a participant caseload with a focus on participant relationship and support.

Provide support with safety planning, case planning based on participants’ strengths and resilience, parenting support, and information on community resources available to meet participants’ needs.

Answer the two main phone lines operated by Kelowna Women’s Shelter, including the main Helpline and the Hope Helpline, focusing on calls pertaining to those in imminent danger.

Provide immediate crisis intervention, including danger assessment, safety planning and programme eligibility assessment to individuals and families experiencing domestic violence who are in imminent danger – including access to transition house space, Kelowna Women’s Shelter programmes and other community resources.

Deliver programme assessment, engagement, crisis intervention, goal and case planning, skills coaching and programme completion, consulting with the Community Support Coordinator as necessary. Meetings with participants may occur via phone, virtually, in person on location or in a safe community location.

Attend appointments such as housing interviews, court dates and medical appointments as required.

Provide presentations, group‑based programming and participate in public awareness activities about services and issues of abuse as requested.

Use engagement skills to help participants feel validated and supported, provide practical and emotional assistance focused on their here‑and‑now needs and assist participants in overcoming crisis.

Collaborate closely with community resources such as RCMP, Victim Services, housing, financial assistance, mental health and substance use to assist participants in accessing resources to meet identified needs.

Complete the Danger Assessment Lethality Tool as appropriate with participants to determine the level of danger and enhance the safety planning process.

Act as an advocate and maintain relationships within the agency and with external professionals to provide a client‑led support system for participants.

Complete and maintain participants’ documentation requirements within established timelines (assessment, transition and second‑stage referral, consent form, danger assessment, case planning, case notes, non‑critical incident reports and exit surveys).

Manage risk with participants, including identifying risk to self or others and risks of harm to children. When risk is identified, consult with others as needed, escalating concerns to the coordinator and following established processes and documentation.

Attend monthly team member meetings and KWS team member meetings as required.

Maintain current police and vulnerable sector checks, professional registration (if applicable) and required related training (e.g., First Aid, Crisis Intervention, Indigenous, Diversity, response‑based).

Ensure case management documentation and programme information are maintained in an…