Title: Safer Spaces Coordinator
Department: Violence to Resilience
Reports to: Safer Spaces Team Lead
Status: Full-Time (37.5 hours / week), Permanent
Salary: $50,000 - $60,000
Location: Dartmouth, NS
Deadline: June 19th, 2026
YWCA Halifax is committed to diversity, and we welcome all suitably qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. YWCA Halifax is governed by, employs, and serves diverse individuals and community members. Self-identification by applicants does not guarantee an interview but we want you to know that we understand that lived experience of racialization, Indigeneity, disAbility, and gender diversity are their own knowledge and expertise. We value this expertise and consider it as we discern who to interview.
YWCA Halifax is a progressive, multi-service, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women, girls, two-spirited and gender diverse people and their families at critical turning points in their lives. We work to transform lives by providing a continuum of services and programs that drive lasting positive change. We strive to change the underlying issues that are root causes of inequality, violence, poverty, and homelessness. Our four program focus areas include: promoting the health, wellness, and leadership of women and girls; advancing women’s economic and housing security; delivering quality, accessible, early learning, and childcare; and working to end violence against women, girls and gender diverse people.
Why work for the YWCA
Staff at YWCA Halifax enjoy a supportive and dynamic team environment, a commitment to staff growth, a connection to the national and international YWCA movements, learning from colleagues in a multiservice agency, and a strong shared vision.
Why YOU should apply
Even if you don’t have all the requirements listed in this position, you may be the right candidate. If you are a natural leader with a strong attention to detail and a passion for social justice and gender equity, we want to hear from you. Take a chance and apply. Tell us how you can make a difference through your YWCA.
Program Overview:
The Safer Spaces Coordinator will work closely with the Violence to Resilience team, as well as community partners and the broader YWCA management team to operate an emergency/crisis-based housing program for women and gender diverse individuals who are exiting the sex trade. The coordinator's role will include ensuring operational standards for programming and individual needs and engaging in research on best practices in working with trafficked/exploited individuals. The work will be done in collaboration with the Safer Spaces team which includes all coordinators and casual staff. The work will be supported by the Safer Spaces Team Lead and Violence to Resilience Manager.
Essential Duties of Position:
- The Safer Spaces Coordinator will work closely with the Violence to Resilience team, as well as community Advance the vision and mission of YWCA Halifax
- Program development, coordination, and implementation
- Uphold program budget and expenditures allocated by the Team Lead and/or Manager
- Conduct assessments, safety plans, and support plans
- Maintain, evaluate and keep updated a Safer Spaces Housing Program Handbook
- Supports in the housing operations, coordination, and facility support to:
o Help to develop and manage relationships
o Support housing operations and facilities support
o Work with YWCA staff to coordinate support for participants
- Operate and maintain security systems
- Community collaboration and partnership facilitation for participant support. This may include, but is not limited to:
o DCS
o DOJ
o Provincial & Municipal Policing
o Emergency supports
o Internal & external stakeholders
- Identify second stage and recovery-based housing placements across Nova Scotia and Canada.
- Develop partnerships with existing housing providers (i.e. landlords, community housing organizations) to offer a variety of housing choices for clients
- Knowledge of the fundamentals of human behaviour including systems theory, family dynamics, group dynamics, and theories of behaviour change to assist in:
o Case management.
o Individualized and group programming.
o Therapeutic interventions.
- Awareness of local community resources and agencies to assist in the continual care model and wrap around supports for participants.
- Completes admission process by documenting applicable information on standard forms and daily logs
- Documents on daily log each scheduled shift, including individual’s progress on care plan goals and behaviour and/or emotional issues
- Engages with individuals during each scheduled shift including:
o Intervening with individuals to help them self-regulate
o Intervening in interactions and/or confrontations between individuals
o Attending and actively participating where required with individual at schedules and/or unscheduled community outings, appointments, and meetings
o Ensuring care, safety, and security of all individuals, and
o Identifying and leading individual and group planned recreational and leisure activities to benefit individuals and develop relationships
- Role models, leads, and/or participates in role plays and provides support to assist individual development. This includes modeling healthy professional boundaries and collaboration of support.
- Records basic information in the individual’s file on the following: participation in programing offered at the centre and participation in activities
- Provides shift reports at the end of each shift to the next shift
- Completes all forms as assigned by team leader each scheduled shift, i.e., case management notes, daily logs, and case conference notes.
- Completes discharge summary within seven (7) days from time the individual is discharged
- Utilizes standard care plan templates to develop individual care plans. May revise individual care plan where required
- Completes revisions to care plan where required based on outcome of case conference meeting. Documents case conference meeting notes in individual’s file
- Utilize core competencies and skills to manage, monitor, and resolve individual’s verbal, emotional, and physical issues including harmful and/or aggressive behaviour.
Other Duties:
- Communicates with stakeholders to gain community support for programs and to solicit input on how to improve programs.
- Nurtures and forms meaningful community partnerships.
- Serves in community/sector task forces and committees as appropriate.
- Participates in YWCA and community-based advocacy activities that are consistent with YWCA policies.
- Supports partnerships, extension work, and other activities within the YWCA movement.
- Identifies and pursues opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Ensures the maintenance of all files, information systems, and databases related to areas of responsibility.
- Other duties as delegated by the Manager, Director and/or Executive Director.
Working Conditions:
The Safer Spaces Coordinator will work out of safe house in Dartmouth. The position will require some on-call and after hours work outside of regular business hours as needed.
Special Conditions of Employment
Must have completed First Aid and CPR training, Work Hazard and Safety Training (WHMIS), and NonViolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) or plan to complete within the first 6 months of employment. A Criminal back check and Child Abuse Registry. Travel is required for this position, with or without program participants, therefore a valid driver's licence, working vehicle, and additional 2 million liability insurance is a condition of employment. Parking is available on-site, and the position is provided with a cellphone and laptop for work use. All electronic equipment must be returned upon completion of employment.
Qualifications and Experience:
The Safer Spaces coordinator will hold a degree in social work or related field such as, international development studies, sociology, child and youth studies, education, health promotion, or equivalent education and experience. They will have a minimum of three years' experience in program development and administration and experience conducting best practice research and implementing research findings and recommendations, in addition to a minimum of two years’ experience providing crisis-based residential support. The Safer Space coordinator will have an understanding of feminist theoretical perspectives and intersectionality. Also, of issues such as racism/colonialism, violence against women, human trafficking and sexual exploitation, sexual health, and poverty. They will have knowledge of, and experience with community-based, trauma-informed, harm reduction practices as well as a strong commitment to ongoing learning and development in these areas and experience working in collaborative environments on complex issues involving multiple and diverse stakeholders.
If interested, please send your cover letter and resume in one document to [email protected] Line: Safer Spaces Coordinator
Pay: $50,000.00-$60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- On-site parking
- RRSP match
Work Location: In person
