About Us
Cedar Strong Prevention & Intervention Society is a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals, families, and communities through prevention, intervention, outreach, housing, and support services.
Our work is grounded in compassion, respect, collaboration, and a commitment to creating safer, healthier communities. We support individuals experiencing mental health concerns, substance use challenges, homelessness, poverty, and other complex barriers while working alongside community partners to improve access to services and strengthen community well-being.
Summary
We are seeking a Mental Health and Substance Use Outreach Worker/Community Action Team (CAT) Coordinator to join our team in Hope, BC. This position combines direct outreach and support services with community coordination and education initiatives. The successful candidate will work with individuals, families, community organizations, healthcare providers, Indigenous communities, schools, and other partners to promote mental health, substance use supports, harm reduction, community wellness, and overdose prevention throughout Hope, Boston Bar, the Fraser Canyon, and surrounding communities.
Responsibilities
- Maintains knowledge of community resources and provides appropriate referrals to clients to meet their needs.
- Understands the socio-economic conditions of Hope, Boston Bar, Fraser Canyon, and surrounding communities and how these impact individuals and families.
- Provides outreach, support, advocacy, crisis intervention, and case management services to individuals experiencing mental health concerns, substance use challenges, homelessness, or other barriers.
- Assists clients in developing goals to support increased stability, independence, wellness, and quality of life.
- Provides supportive, non-clinical emotional support and skill-building assistance, facilitates groups, and assists clients with skill building, empowerment, and community integration.
- Supports clients and community members in accessing healthcare, housing, income assistance, food supports, harm reduction services, recreation opportunities, legal supports, and other community resources.
- Develops respectful and professional relationships with clients, families, community members, and service providers.
- Participates in and supports homeless outreach initiatives within Hope, Boston Bar, and surrounding communities.
- Coordinates and supports Community Action Team (CAT) initiatives, meetings, outreach activities, and community partnerships.
- Collaborates with healthcare providers, social services, schools, housing organizations, Indigenous organizations, women’s centers, transition houses, friendship centers, recreation centers, and other community agencies to improve coordination of services and supports.
- Works with local First Nations communities and Indigenous-serving organizations to support culturally relevant and culturally safe programming and services.
- Supports community education and stigma reduction initiatives related to mental health, substance use, LGBTQ2S+ inclusion, harm reduction, overdose prevention, early intervention, healthy living, and social connectedness initiatives within the community.
- Assists with planning and delivering workshops, presentations, outreach activities, and prevention education related to mental health, substance use, toxic drug awareness, harm reduction, healthy living, Lifeguard App awareness, Street Cards, and other community wellness initiatives.
- Assists with identifying gaps, emerging issues, and trends within the community and collaborates with community partners to develop strategies and responses.
- Participates in committees, community and task groups, and/or program initiatives by methods such as providing relevant material, acting as advocate for the goals and objectives of the program, and promoting optimal support for integration and coordination of mental health and substance use services.
- Assists with research and other special projects by collecting data, researching for additional material, liaising with a various community stakeholders and client groups to determine ongoing needs for sustainability of program needs.
- Maintains and compiles statistics such as how many people are entering the project, how many attend presentations and organized events.
- Maintains accurate documentation, files, statistics, and case notes in accordance with organizational policies and confidentiality requirements.
- Assists in addressing conflict, concerns, and service-related issues within the program.
- Performs related duties within the scope of the position and training as required.
Education
Diploma, degree or relevant training in Social Work, Human Services, Mental Health and Substance Use, Community Support, or a related field is preferred.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant employment experience will also be considered.
Experience & Training
Experience working in community social services, outreach, mental health, substance use, homelessness, harm reduction, or related community support settings is preferred.
Experience providing direct support services, community outreach, program delivery, or working with vulnerable populations is considered an asset.
Knowledge of local community resources, social service systems, and provincial support services is preferred.
Job Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge and understanding of mental health, substance use, homelessness, harm reduction, and community-based support services.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Strong organization, time management, and documentation skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with community partners and multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated ability to work respectfully with diverse populations and respond appropriately to individual needs.
- Ability to organize, prioritize, and adapt within a fast-paced environment with interruptions and changing demands.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills.
- Basic computer and digital documentation skills, including Microsoft Office programs.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical practice standards.
- Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check.
Required Qualifications
- Valid Class 5 Driver’s License and reliable transportation.
- Current First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain.
- Naloxone training or willingness to obtain.
- Satisfactory Criminal Record Check, including vulnerable sector screening.
Physical Demands
The position may involve sitting for extended periods, community outreach, and local travel. Some flexibility in scheduling may be required based on operational needs.
Working Conditions
Work may occur in office, outreach, community, and field settings. The position involves regular interaction with individuals experiencing mental health concerns, substance use challenges, trauma, homelessness, and other social barriers.
Exposure to emotionally demanding situations, crisis response, overdose response, and unpredictable environments may occur.
Hours of work will be determined by the Executive Director. Flex time arrangements will be reviewed with the Executive Director.
Mental Demands
The job involves psychological and mental demands in relation to working with individuals who have alcohol and substance use issues, mental health issues, and other related social issues. Listening and supporting clients for prolonged periods of time.
The role requires sound judgment, ethical decision-making, effective verbal and written communication, crisis response skills, and the ability to adapt to changing situations throughout the day.
Respect for individuals regardless of ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical ability, or mental ability is required.
All staff are expected to demonstrate professionalism, respectful communication, sound judgment, and appropriate workplace conduct.
Confidentiality & Privacy
Employees must maintain confidentiality and privacy in accordance with organizational policies, applicable legislation, and professional practice standards.
Join us in making a meaningful difference—bring your passion for community well-being to Cedar Strong Prevention and Intervention Society. Your dedication can help transform lives and strengthen our communities.
Pay: $25.00-$29.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
