Community Stabilization Specialist

                                                                                                  Career Opportunity

Position Title:                Community Stabilization Specialist

Classification:               Community health worker

Job Type:                     Permanent Full-time 1 FTE 

Department:                   HART Hub – Supportive Housing & Substance Use Health

Location:                      55 Eccles Street                           

Reporting to:                  Manager, Supportive Housing & Substance Use Health

Compensation:             $60,169.20 to $70,688.80 annually plus a comprehensive compensation package that includes time-off  entitlements, health benefits, life insurance, and participation in the HOOPP pension plan.

Deadline to apply:       until Friday, May 29, 2026 at 5:00 p.m

Apply to:                         

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About us

Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC) is a community‑governed, non‑profit organization serving more than 18,000 clients each year. Since 1978, we have offered primary health care, mental health services, harm reduction supports, and community development programs.

We are deeply connected to the communities we serve and committed to reducing barriers to care for people facing challenges related to income, housing, substance use, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, and culture. Our team works within an anti‑racist, anti‑oppressive, and trauma‑informed framework, and we strive to ensure our staff reflect the diversity of our community.

About the role

The Community Stabilization Specialist plays a critical role in supporting safety, stability, and healthy community functioning within high-acuity supportive housing environments. This position is primarily based onsite in a men’s supportive housing building and focuses on proactive engagement, de-escalation, conflict resolution, relationship-building, and community stabilization among residents who may be experiencing substance use, mental health challenges, and complex behavioral needs.

Working both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team, the Specialist provides a consistent and visible presence within the building to reduce risk, respond to emerging situations, mediate interpersonal conflict, and foster a respectful and supportive community environment. This role is not solely focused on individual resident support, but on strengthening the overall culture, safety, and functioning of the housing community as a whole. Through relationship-building, early intervention, restorative approaches, and ongoing engagement, the Specialist supports the development of community norms, conflict resolution, and shared accountability among residents.

A key component of this role involves supporting individuals who are transitioning from chronic homelessness and street involvement into permanent housing. This transition can be complex and often requires intensive support as residents adapt from surviving in street-based environments to living within a shared housing community. The Specialist helps residents navigate this adjustment through patience, consistency, practical support, and community integration, recognizing that long-term housing stability is closely connected to a person’s sense of belonging, safety, and connection within the broader community.

While the primary focus is stabilization and safety, the role also incorporates recovery-oriented support, including addiction support and opportunities for holistic and spiritual wellness, as guided by resident interest.

This role is central to fostering a safe, respectful, and connected living environment while supporting residents along individualized pathways toward stabilization, recovery, community integration, and long-term housing success.

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Key Responsibilities

Safety, Stabilization & Community Support

• Provide a consistent, visible presence onsite within the housing building to promote safety, stability, and positive community functioning
• Proactively engage residents to identify and mitigate potential conflicts, interpersonal tensions, or environmental triggers before escalation occurs
• Respond to incidents of agitation, conflict, or behavioural escalation using trauma-informed, de-escalation, and conflict resolution approaches
• Support the development and implementation of individualized safety, stabilization, and community integration plans
• Foster a respectful and inclusive community environment by encouraging shared accountability, relationship-building, and healthy community norms among residents
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners during high-risk or complex situations to support both individual and community stability

Resident Engagement & Housing Stability

• Build strong, trust-based relationships with residents through regular, intentional engagement and consistent presence
• Support residents in maintaining housing through daily check-ins, practical problem-solving, emotional support, and conflict mediation
• Provide targeted support during key transition periods, particularly for individuals moving from chronic homelessness or street involvement into permanent housing
• Support residents in adapting to the responsibilities, expectations, and social dynamics of living within a shared housing community

Recovery, Counselling & Wellness

• Provide recovery-oriented support related to substance use, harm reduction, readiness for change, and personal wellness goals
• Offer supportive counselling that may incorporate holistic, culturally responsive, and spiritually grounded approaches, where appropriate and resident-led
• Facilitate or support group programming focused on recovery, wellness, emotional regulation, spirituality, and community connection
• Encourage engagement in meaningful activities that strengthen identity, purpose, belonging, and long-term recovery and housing stability

Team Collaboration & Documentation

• Work closely with Housing Case Managers, Systems Navigators, nursing staff, peers, and external partners to coordinate care and promote stabilization
• Participate in team huddles, case conferences, safety planning discussions, and community response planning
• Maintain clear, timely, and accurate documentation in the EMR (PSS) and incident reporting systems
• Contribute to ongoing program development, community-building initiatives, and continuous quality improvement efforts

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What We’re Looking For

◈ Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Social Work, Addictions Counselling, Psychology, or related field (or equivalent lived/living experience)
• Minimum 3 years’ experience working in high-acuity environments (e.g., supportive housing, shelter, community health, crisis response)
• Demonstrated experience in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and managing volatile or unpredictable situations, particularly in a Supportive Housing environment
• Strong understanding of substance use, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and mental health
• Experience providing recovery-oriented support and/or counselling.
• Ability to work independently, make sound decisions in dynamic environments, and maintain professional boundaries. 
  

◈ Assets

• Lived or living experience with substance use and recovery
• Training in non-violent crisis intervention, RAID®, or similar de-escalation models
• Experience incorporating spiritual care or holistic wellness approaches into practice
• Knowledge of local health, housing, and social service systems. 

◈ Required language

• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• French is an asset.

◈ Core Competencies 

• Strong de-escalation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to remain calm, grounded, and solution-focused in high-stress situations
• Relational, non-judgmental, and trauma-informed approach
• High level of autonomy, accountability, and situational awareness
• Commitment to harm reduction, equity, and anti-oppressive practice.
  

◈ Working Conditions

• Majority of work is conducted onsite within a men’s supportive housing building
• Regular exposure to crisis situations, substance use, and behavioural escalation
• Requires the ability to respond to unpredictable situations in a calm and effective manner

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Ready to Apply?

Take your career to the next level! Submit a cover letter and your resume by 5:00pm on Friday, May 29, 2026, to:  

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Somerset West Community Health Centre is an equal opportunity employer who values the diversity of individuals in our programs and services.

This posting is for a currently vacant position that we intend to fill through this recruitment process. 

We welcome and encourage applications from members of Indigenous, Black and racialized communities, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, LGBTQ+ people; people with disabilities; and members of other equity seeking groups. Applicants are encouraged to share accessibility needs in the application process, and every attempt will be made to accommodate them.

We sincerely appreciate your interest in working with us. Due to high volume of applicants, we can neither confirm receipt of nor respond to inquiries regarding your application. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.