Job Description

Explore this and other opportunities at https://gatewayassociation.ca/careers-and-volunteering/

Gateway Association Overview

Join the Team That's Been Changing Lives Since 1975

What started as a bold vision by a group of determined parents has grown into one of Alberta's leading disability organizations supporting equity-seeking individuals and families. At Gateway Association, we're more than a nonprofit -- we're a community-focused force for change.

With deep roots and forward-thinking approaches, we support individuals with disabilities and their families to navigate systems, achieve goals, and thrive in welcoming, equitable communities and workplaces. We do this through three powerful pillars: our Family Resource Centre, Employment Resource Centers, as well as strategic education and capacity-building initiatives.

As a nimble and responsive organization, we actively pursue meaningful partnerships and community collaborations to drive the systemic change that true disability justice requires. Gateway is where meaningful transformation begins -- building relationships, strengthening communities, and creating spaces of belonging by turning advocacy into action and values into impact.

Role Overview

The Edmonton Employment Resource Centre (EERC) applies integrity and subject matter expertise to talent-matching and employment retention services to support engaged, inclusive workplaces. We assist job-seekers to overcome barriers and occupy meaningful employment roles while building employer capacity for diversity and inclusion.

The Service Navigator is a specialized role within Gateway Association's Workforce Development team within the Edmonton Employment Resource Centre. This role focuses exclusively on supporting Clients with disabilities who experience complex or multiple barriers that affect their ability to participate in employment programming.

The Service Navigator does

not

deliver employment services. Instead, they address

non-employment-related barriers

--including housing instability, mental health needs, addictions, transportation challenges, childcare gaps, income insecurity, and limited access to community supports--ensuring Clients can meaningfully and successfully engage in employment development activities delivered by Employment Counsellors.

The Service Navigator provides individualized, trauma-informed, wraparound support throughout the client's journey, including assessment, stream determination, stabilization planning, community referrals, and long-term retention support. They maintain consistent, ongoing contact with clients, including up to 12 months after employment to support job retention and stability.

Direct Duties

Assessment & Stream Determination

Conduct or review Employment Readiness Assessments (ERA) to identify Life Stability needs and non-employment barriers. Introduce Clients to tools to assess needs across key life domains. Determine appropriateness for Stream 1 or Stream 2 services based on Client circumstances and stability needs. Document all assessment outcomes in provincial database (Compass). Identify and respond to immediate crises requiring urgent stabilization or referral.

Life Stability Support & Wraparound Navigation

Collaborate with Clients to identify, prioritize, and address Life Stability barriers. Co-develop a minimum of four Life Stability Goals and monitor progress throughout service delivery. Support Clients in navigating AISH, Income Support, DRES, and WRES applications. Conduct ongoing stabilization-focused check-ins to monitor progress and prevent crises.

Provide navigation and referral support for:

Housing and shelter services Mental health and addictions supports Transportation and mobility resources Childcare and family supports Food security programs Financial benefits and literacy supports Disability services, medical supports, and assistive resources Cultural and Indigenous-led supports

Stream 1 - Pre-Employment Development Activities (Life Stability Focus)

Support Clients in completing stabilization requirements within Stream 1. Ensure Life Stability Goals and activities are documented and monitored. Track progress toward Stream 1 Completer criteria. Identify when a Client is ready to transition to Stream 2 and coordinate a warm handoff to Employment Counsellors. Provide continued wraparound support or external referrals for Clients not yet ready for Stream 2.

Stream 2 - Employment Development Activities (Non-Employment Supports)

Work collaboratively with Employment Counsellors to ensure Clients have the stability required to participate in employment programs. Monitor and support Life Stability needs during Stream 2 services. Assist Clients in navigating challenges that impact participation, such as: transportation issues, mental health or wellness concerns, financial strain, crisis situations, and childcare or scheduling barriers. Provide continued stabilization coaching and referrals as needed.

Job Retention & Follow-Up

Maintain structured follow-up for up to 12 months after employment. Provide ongoing stabilization support to promote sustained labour market attachment. Assist Clients with Life Stability challenges that may jeopardize job retention. Collaborate with employers (with consent) to support stability, accommodations, and problem-solving. Complete required follow-ups at 90, 180, and 365 days.

Client File Management & Reporting

Document all Life Stability assessments, goals, referrals, and interventions in Compass. Maintain accurate records of Stream placement, stabilization progress, and outcomes. Participate in case conferences and cross-team planning discussions. Ensure compliance with documentation and privacy standards.

Collaboration & Community Engagement

Work collaboratively with Employment Counsellors, Resource Centre staff, Digital Literacy staff, and Employer Services staff. Build and maintain strong relationships with community organizations providing housing, mental health, cultural, financial, disability, and family-support services. Advocate for Clients across systems to ensure coordinated and timely access to supports.

The Commitment

Full-time permanent position working 37.5 hours/week. We believe in work life balance and are committed to keeping the workload in alignment with the true hours worked.

At Gateway Association, we strive for roles to be permanent and continuous. However, as a registered charity supported by government funding, private foundations, grants, individual donors, and fundraising efforts, some funding is term-based with variable contract lengths. As a result, certain positions may conclude unless funding is renewed or extended or new funding is obtained. ?

Reports To:

Program Manager or Senior Organizational Development Manager

Supervises:

No direct reports

What You Bring to Gateway

Education & Experience

Minimum two years of experience supporting individuals with complex barriers (disability, trauma, mental health, addictions, poverty). Experience in case management, wraparound coordination, and multi-agency navigation. Training or experience in trauma-informed practice, harm reduction, anti-oppressive frameworks, and strengths-based approaches. Strong interpersonal skills and cultural humility when working with diverse communities (Indigenous, newcomer, racialized, LGBTQ2IA+, youth, adults).

Knowledge & Skills

Strong interpersonal skills and cultural humility when working with diverse communities (Indigenous, newcomer, racialized, LGBTQ2IA+, youth, adults). Knowledge of Edmonton's community resources, disability services, housing supports, and provincial programs (AISH, Income Support, DRES, WRES). Ability to conduct assessments, develop Life Stability Goals, and monitor progress. Proficiency with digital documentation and case management systems, including Compass Ability to coordinate and manage client needs effectively. Skilled in using client-centered techniques to encourage engagement and goal-setting. Strong interpersonal skills to foster trust and collaboration with clients and community partners. Demonstrated capacity to understand and respond to client experiences with compassion and respect.

Equity & Inclusion

Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Foundational understanding of anti-racism principles, structural oppression, and related terminology (desirable; training provided).

Additional Requirements

Applicant must primarily reside in and work from Edmonton (or greater surrounding area) Offer of employment conditional upon a satisfactory Police Information Background Check Must have access to personal vehicle for work-related purposes and provide satisfactory evidence of valid driver's license, current vehicle registration, and proof of third-party liability insurance New hires are subject to a 3-month probationary period

Gateway Value Proposition

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

$66,000 - $72,000

Health Benefits:

50/50 Employee/Employer Paid Premiums

Paid Time Off:

15 vacation days, 9 personal days, a flexible family-friendly schedule, and an extended winter break (during this period there will be rotating coverage and an intermittent schedule to ensure community needs are supported. Flexibility and collaboration in scheduling will be required.)

Work Conditions

Responsibilities:

Administrative computer work, travel for events within Alberta, travel within Edmonton to connect with various community partners, frequent communication (calls, email, video conferencing, meetings, etc.) with participants and other stakeholders.

Hybrid Work Model:

Combination of office, home and community settings. Employees are expected to reside in and work from their primary location. Although this role follows a hybrid work model, employees will be required to work some in-office hours to help staff the drop-in resource centre, which includes workshops, services, and participant support.

Workplace Culture:

Commitment to reflective practice and continuous learning. Leadership dedicated to anti-oppressive practices. Ongoing evaluation of internal and external practices to ensure meaningful impact.

Our Application and Hiring Process and Timeline

Application Requirements:

Please apply for this position by sending

1 PDFwith Resume & Cover Letter to:

humanresources@gatewayassociation.ca

Preferred Start Date:

March 1, 2026

Competition Closing Date:

January 10, 2026

Posting Type:

Internal & External Candidates Considered

Application Process:

We will review applications on a continuous basis until the position is filled. We will begin scheduling interviews during the week of January 12-16. We will conduct [phone/in-person/video] interviews between January 19, 2026, and January 30, 2026. Candidates scheduled for interviews will be provided with most questions in advance. All interviewed candidates will be notified of their status in the application process as it proceeds.

While we'd like to connect with everyone, we simply don't have the capacity to reply to all applications. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.*

Inclusion and Accommodation

Gateway is committed to maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where each employee can bring their authentic selves to work and be supported and valued for their contributions. We are an equal opportunity employer, which means all qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age. Accommodations within our recruitment process and on the job are practiced and applied as needed. Please contact Human Resources at humanresources@gatewayassociation.ca for more information and to request any accommodations.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $66,000.00-$72,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Company events Dental care Disability insurance Employee assistance program Extended health care Flexible schedule Life insurance Mileage reimbursement On-site parking Paid time off Store discount Wellness program Work from home
Work Location: In person