Homelessness System Navigator

Located on the Trent-Severn Waterway in the heart of the Kawartha tourism region, Peterborough is a unique community known for its exceptional quality of life and beautiful setting. Peterborough has it all – a multitude of recreational opportunities, a diverse industrial, commercial and agricultural base, quality health care and excellent schools – including two outstanding post-secondary institutions. Peterborough is just one hour from the Greater Toronto area.

Peterborough Transit is proud to serve the citizens of Peterborough in addition to The Link rural transit service, a pilot project funded through the Province of Ontario. The Link buses serve the communities of Selwyn Township, Curve Lake First Nation, and connect all customers to the City’s transit routes.

Job Details

The Homelessness System Navigator works within a collaborative team to provide meaningful system navigation to clients who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. This includes but is not limited to shelter navigation, diversion from shelter, housing planning, reconnecting people to their home community, and referring and collaborating with supporting agencies.  They provide outreach to Emergency Shelters, homelessness community programs and other locations deemed in need of navigation supports. This could include individuals living outside experiencing homelessness and potentially requiring crisis intervention. Works in partnership with community-based organizations and stakeholders to assist in delivering homelessness system navigation. They develop individualized support plans with clients to assist meeting their needs. Homelessness System Navigators assist people suffering from substance abuse, mental health issues, and physical abuse, in potentially volatile situations.  

Qualifications

Requires a two-year college diploma in Social Services or related Human Service field with up to three years related experience in crisis intervention, community outreach and whole-system navigation.  Demonstrated understanding of community resources, homelessness supports, and harm reduction strategies is required. Demonstrated ability to remain calm in volatile situations, while using critical thinking skills. Must have the ability to build positive working relationships with the public, clients and community partners. Experience in a social assistance environment is considered an asset. Must have working knowledge of the homeless shelter system, Coordinated Access and basic knowledge in word processing and homelessness database software and systems; knowledge and experience with provincial computer systems would be an asset. Ability to be flexible and responsive in a changing, challenging and often unpredictable environment. Able to use discretion in supporting clients in precarious situations, reduce risk and ultimately provide intensive life stabilization coaching. Demonstrates strong organizational, time-management, crisis intervention and problem solving skills; the ability to manage competing priorities and coordinate several tasks at one time while meeting program outcomes and performance standards; and the ability to work in volatile situations without supervision. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in a clear, concise manner. Must be a team player with a commitment to quality customer service and a passion for ending homelessness in our community. Must demonstrate a strong commitment to maintaining confidentiality in accordance with local policy and applicable legislation. Hours of work may need to be flexible to meet the client/community needs. Majority of work will occur in the community - individuals must be able to work remotely and have access to transportation to fulfil the duties of the position within the City and County of Peterborough.  

Compensation 

 $70,980.00

Applicant Information 

Qualified applicants are invited to submit 1 file containing a résumé and cover letter (ensure your name is in the title of the document), quoting file number 25-P-54 on the file as well as in the subject line, no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, to People & Culture (recruiting@peterborough.ca).

The personal information submitted for employment is collected under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used to determine eligibility for employment. We thank you for your application but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.