Community Outreach Peacebuilder

The Community Outreach Peacebuilder is a relational, community-based role that promotes safety, dignity, and peace at the MCC Thrift Shop in Lethbridge. The Peacebuilder serves as a calm, compassionate, and visible presence among volunteers, customers, and community members, particularly those experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, mental health challenges, or crisis.

Rather than functioning as a security guard, the Community Outreach Peacebuilder responds through relationship-building, conflict de-escalation, boundary setting, referrals, and peacebuilding practices rooted in MCC’s values. A central goal of the role is to provide a tangible sense of safety for Thrift volunteers, while extending Christ-like presence and practical support to neighbors facing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges.

The primary purpose of this role is to help create a safe, welcoming, and peaceful environment for volunteers, customers, and community members through relationship-building, conflict prevention, and community engagement.

Due to the relational aspect of the position, we are looking for an individual who can commit for a minimum of 2 years.

Job Details

Salaried Employee -Full Time at 1 FTE

Qualifications

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Required

• Demonstrated commitment to Christian faith, active church involvement, and a clear commitment to nonviolent, restorative approaches to conflict.
• Education and experience in chaplaincy, pastoral care, congregational ministry, social work, community outreach, or related fields, with the ability to offer spiritual and emotional support across a range of beliefs and backgrounds.
• Competence in front-line crisis response and de-escalation skills. Or Training or experience in conflict de-escalation, crisis intervention, trauma-informed practice, Mental Health First Aid, and/or Naloxone response is considered an asset.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, or trauma.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, facilitation, and partnership-development skills.
• Ability to establish rapport and trust with people in crisis, volunteers, staff, and community partners.
• Strong networking, relationship- and partnership-building skills.
• A calm, approachable, and professional demeanor, with the ability to relate respectfully to people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft 365 (TEAMS, Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize a wide variety of tasks independently.
• Ability to coach, mentor, or train volunteers or staff.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and records while handling confidential information appropriately.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and Saturdays, aligned with Thrift Store activity.
• Valid Alberta Class 5 driver's license.
• Clear criminal record check, including vulnerable sector check.
• Legally entitled to work in Canada.

Preferred

• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or equivalent chaplaincy training.
• Training or education in restorative justice, conflict transformation, peacebuilding, mediation, or community development.
• Standard First Aid / CPR certification
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) or comparable de-escalation certification
• Naloxone administration training.Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and/or trauma-informed care training.
• Familiarity with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.
• Familiarity with Lethbridge-area agencies and supports serving people who are homeless, street-involved, or struggling with addiction and mental health challenges

Key Responsibilities

1. Safety, Conflict Prevention, and Crisis Response

• Be a calm, visible, and approachable presence in and around the Thrift Store during peak hours, including evenings and Saturdays.
• Respond to disruptive situations, safety concerns, and crisis events using trauma-informed, nonviolent de-escalation practices while maintaining clear behavioral boundaries and supporting volunteer and staff safety.
• Build trust and rapport with individuals who frequently visit the area and who may be experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, or crisis.
• Assess safety risk in real time and contact emergency services (police, EMS), outreach teams, or other appropriate supports when necessary.
• Liaise regularly with the Thrift Store Manager and leadership team regarding emerging safety concerns, patterns, and incidents.
• Develop, refine, and implement violence-prevention and incident-response protocols in collaboration with Thrift Store leadership.
• Debrief and offer post-incident support to volunteers and staff involved in or affected by an occurrence.

2. Volunteer Support and Capacity Building

• Foster a culture of empathy, dignity, hospitality, and proactive support among volunteers and staff.
• Design and deliver training for volunteers and staff on conflict de-escalation, trauma-informed approaches, healthy boundaries, and peacebuilding practices.
• Recruit, train, and support a volunteer welcoming team that fosters a safe, welcoming, and compassionate environment through positive relationships and appropriate referrals (volunteers are not expected to intervene in unsafe situations).
• Provide ongoing encouragement, coaching, and emotional support to volunteers and staff.

3. Community Outreach and Partnerships

• Build relationships and referral pathways with Lethbridge-area agencies that support individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, and mental health challenges.
• Establish collaborative relationships with neighboring organizations, businesses, service providers, and community partners facing similar safety and outreach concerns to share learning, resources, and best practices.
• Connect community members, when appropriate, with available services and supports that may contribute to their well-being and stability.
• Participate in MCC’s anti-poverty, restorative justice, and community engagement networks for peer support, learning, and ongoing professional development.
• Represent MCC Alberta’s mission, values, and commitment to nonviolent peacemaking in interactions with community agencies, local authorities, volunteers, customers, and the broader public.
• Help identify emerging community needs and trends that may affect the Thrift Store and contribute to recommendations for future responses and partnerships.

4. Program Development, Evaluation, and Administration

• Maintain consistent, accurate documentation of incidents, follow-ups, and learning outcomes.
• Support the implementation and ongoing refinement of violence-prevention and safety policies in partnership with the Program Director and Thrift Store leadership.
• Participate in a monthly check-in meeting together with the Thrift Store Manager and the Program Director to assess progress, identify emerging concerns, share lessons learned, and adapt the program as needed.
• Contribute to ongoing program evaluation, including tracking outcomes and recommending improvements.

Other

• Maintain a high level of integrity, reflecting a Christ-like character toward colleagues, volunteers, community partners, and neighbors who are unhoused or marginalized.
• Model nonviolent peacemaking through respectful daily interactions with staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Participate in MCCA orientations, staff meetings, and Staff Annual Retreat.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.