Community Crisis Responder (Casual)

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Community Crisis Responder (Casual)

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CMHA Kelowna is
proud to introduce several new and exciting roles within the Crisis Response,
Community-Led (CRCL) initiative. As the first of its kind in Kelowna, CRCL
represents a bold shift in how we respond to mental health and substance use
crises through mobile, non-police, consent-based and culturally safe response
to individuals aged 13+ experiencing mental health or substance use crises. We
are seeking casual Community Crisis Responders to provide immediate support and
de-escalation to individuals experiencing crisis, alongside a peer support
worker. This is a rare opportunity for passionate, values-driven mental health
professionals with experience in crisis response to help bring this vision to
life. Learn more about the provincial CRCL initiative at https://www.crisiscentre.bc.ca/crcl.

CMHA Kelowna is hiring Community
Crisis Responders (casual) for the Crisis Response, Community-Led (CRCL)
program. This position has hours per week based on working shift call outs.
Shifts are varied in length, up to 10 hours, from 11am-9pm.

WHO IS A COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONDER?

A casual Community Crisis Responder is a flexible
member of the Crisis Response, Community-Led (CRCL) team, providing relief
coverage in the roles of Community Crisis Responder, CRCL Dispatcher, and
related functions. This position delivers immediate, trauma-informed crisis
intervention and de-escalation to individuals (ages 13+) experiencing mental
health and/or substance use crises, either on-site in the community or through
phone/text support. Working collaboratively with team members, the casual Community
Crisis Responder ensures responsive, harm reduction-based, client-centered
care. Responsibilities may also include dispatch coordination, documentation,
case management, and participation in community care planning processes.

WHAT DOES A COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONDER DO?

Dispatcher Responsibilities:

• Respond to incoming crisis calls and texts, offering

immediate support and de-escalation and triage and assesses urgency

• Conduct assessments including suicidal ideation,

self-harm risk, homicidal ideation, and overdose risks

• Use trauma-informed and harm reduction frameworks to

provide emotional and situational support

• Engage in post-crisis follow-up and safety/wellness

check-ins

• Initiates Community Care Plans and engages appropriate

team member or emergency services as required

• Liaise with internal and external service providers,

maintaining up-to-date knowledge of local resources

• Maintain real-time updates on team location,

availability, and caseload to support effective triage and dispatch

• Input and manage sensitive client data and system

information in line with privacy regulations

• Provide rapid point-of-service crisis de-escalation and

emotional support

• Offer mobile outreach services in diverse community

environments

Community Crisis Responder Responsibilities

• Conduct wellness, suicide, and safety assessments,

triaging to emergency services when appropriate

• Administer First Aid and overdose response, including

rescue breathing, oxygen, and naloxone

• Refer and triage to emergency services when appropriate

following safety protocols in high-risk or volatile environments

• Deliver short-term, trauma-informed counselling

interventions using evidence-based modalities (e.g., CBT, DBT)

• Create a safe and supportive environment for

individuals or groups experiencing acute psychological or emotional distress

• Provide supplies including food, shelter gear, harm

reduction supplies, and hygiene kits

• Support linkages to health care, shelter/housing

services, and social supports

• Maintain thorough and confidential documentation

including case notes, assessments, and releases of information

• Provide follow-up and care coordination as needed to

support long-term safety and system navigation

Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Degree or diploma in the mental health field

(i.e. counselling, social work, psychiatric nursing or a related field)

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in crisis

intervention, de-escalation, and case management

• Reliable vehicle and ability to

travel between facilities and other locations on an occasional basis

• Valid Class 5 BC driver’s license with a

Driver’s Abstract

• Criminal Record Check clearance in the

Vulnerable Sector

• Certificates in ASIST, CBT, DBT, First Aid,

CPR-C with AED, Mental Health First Aid and Naloxone considered an asset

• Demonstrated experience in harm reduction,

peer-based support models, and/or public health approaches.

• Crisis intervention skills and experience with

situational safety and/or mental health assessments is an asset

• Experience supporting 2SLGBTQIA+

people, Indigenous individuals, racialized communities, sex workers, and those
impacted by substance use, poverty, trauma, and criminalization

• Experience working in the non-profit sector

considered an asset

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated cultural humility with

the ability to build trust with vulnerable populations

• Ability to navigate emotionally charged and

high-risk scenarios with empathy and professionalism

• Commitment to team-based care, mutual

accountability, and respectful collaboration

• Skilled in cultivating respectful,

collaborative relationships with staff, peers, community partners, Indigenous
communities, and law enforcement (e.g., RCMP, bylaw, etc.)

• Understanding of and commitment to trauma-informed

and harm-reduction principles

• Ability to maintain confidentiality, clinical

standards, ethical practice, ethics in crisis care, and appropriate
documentation

• Ability to maintain consistent professional

boundaries

• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel
• Proficient in clinical assessment tools, safety

plans, mobile outreach apps and devices, and digital documentation systems

• Skilled in trauma-informed, culturally safe

counselling approaches

• Strong knowledge of health promotion, safer substance

use/sex practices, HIV/HCV care, and related topics

• Skilled in documentation and clinical reporting

for multidisciplinary teams

• Strong assessment, triage, and risk management

skills

• Familiarity with BC Mental Health Act, Child,

Family and Community Services Act, and related legislation

• Understanding of overdose response tools and

medical crisis interventions

• Knowledge of local service networks, emergency

protocols, and geographic familiarity with Kelowna, BC

• Quick decision-making, critical thinking, and

real-time problem solving in complex crisis scenarios

• Strong conflict resolution and non-violent

communication skills

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities

with fluctuating urgency

• Ability to remain calm, emotionally regulated,

and task-focused under pressure

• Ability to be regularly exposed to individuals

who are struggling with and/or recovering from trauma, drug/alcohol use,
homelessness, mental health challenges and/or mental illness

• This position will be regularly

exposed to occupational hazards including but not limited to: direct contact
with dust, dirt, germs and human bio-products; varying weather conditions

WHO IS CMHA KELOWNA?

At CMHA Kelowna, we are dedicated to Mental Health in our community. No
matter how old or how young, we provide support for families and individuals
through programs that promote positive mental health and support recovery,
while championing the elimination of barriers that can prevent people from
thriving. We are a dynamic, innovative and visionary organization. We are
looking for someone who shares our vision of a mentally healthy Kelowna and are
passionate about making a difference in our community by bringing their
particular expertise to our organization. To learn more, check out our website
at www.cmhakelowna.org

CMHA KELOWNA OFFERS YOU:

• A competitive hourly wage of $32.68-$37.58
• Vacation Pay & Personal Health

Days

• Workplace culture that fosters

learning, transparency, trust and teamwork

As an employer, CMHA Kelowna strives to create a workplace that respects
and values all individuals, minimizes bias, and promotes the equity, diversity,
and inclusion of different perspectives and ideas. At CMHA Kelowna that means
welcoming diversity in mental health, race, ethnicity, and culture. It also
means diverse abilities, age, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic
status, gender identities, education, marital status, language, and physical self-expression.
These values are embedded in the work CMHA Kelowna does every day.

We appreciate and thank all applicants for their interest, however
only short-listed candidates and those legally eligible to work in Canada will
be contacted.

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.