Coordinator, Mental Health & Crisis Training

Organization: Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region

Location: Ottawa and Region, Ontario | Hybrid (remote, in-office, on-site)

Employment Type: Full time, contract (Parental Leave Cover)

Schedule Notes: Candidates must be available to work evenings and weekends connected with training dates.

Compensation: $50,000-$60,000

Application Deadline: June 22, 2026

Anticipated Contract Dates: July 20, 2026 - July 31 2027

About the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region (DCOR)

For more than 55 years, the Distress Centre of Ottawa & Region (DCOR) has been a source of connection, hope, and empathy for those experiencing stress, distress, and crisis. Operating 24 hours a day, every day of the year, DCOR provides accessible, confidential, and non-judgmental support and referrals in both English and French. Through our phone lines, community partnerships, training, and volunteer-driven programs, we ensure that no one in our community faces their most difficult moments alone.

About the Position

Reporting to the Director of Client Support and Educational Services, the Coordinator, Mental Health & Crisis Training (CMHCT) leads the design, delivery, and evaluation of training and educational programming at DCOR. As a member of the education function, the CMHCT ensures that all training programs reflect best practices in adult education, trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention, while supporting both internal capacity building and external community education. High-quality, evidence-informed training is essential to ensuring safe, compassionate, and effective service delivery, and this role is central to ensuring that every staff member and volunteer is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide safe, effective, and empathetic support.

This is a full-time contract position covering for a parental leave.

Key Responsibilities

Training Operations, Coordination & Curriculum: Approximately 40%

• Design, implement, schedule, and oversee all internal and external training programs, including volunteer onboarding, crisis intervention training, and community workshops.
• Own the design, development, and continuous improvement of the training curriculum, ensuring alignment with DCOR's standards, values, and service model.
• Integrate evidence-based, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and culturally responsive frameworks into all learning content.
• Coordinate trainers (staff and volunteers) to ensure appropriate coverage, consistency, and preparedness across all programs.
• Identify emerging learning needs and proactively adapt programming in response to organizational priorities and evolving best practices.
• Ensure all training logistics and delivery modes (in-person, virtual, blended, experiential) support a high-quality adult learning experience.

Mentorship, Coaching & Capacity Building: Approximately 25%

• Mentor and coach trainers, volunteers, and staff through structured feedback and skills development.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of professional development and mentorship initiatives.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, reflection, and psychological safety across the organization.

Facilitation & Training Delivery: Approximately 20%

• Deliver trauma-informed training on crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, active listening, and emotional support to volunteers, staff, and external partners.
• Create psychologically safe and inclusive learning environments, modelling best practices in facilitation.
• Represent DCOR as a subject matter expert in external engagements and community partnerships.

Evaluation and Continuous Improvement: Approximately 15%

• Continually update and implement evaluation frameworks to assess training effectiveness, learner outcomes, and impact on service quality.
• Analyze feedback and performance data to continuously refine curriculum and delivery approaches.
• Stay current with developments in mental health education, crisis intervention, and adult learning, integrating innovations into practice.

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 2–5 years of experience in training, facilitation, or mental health/crisis intervention education.
• Post-secondary education in program coordination, human resource management, facilitation, social work, education, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, training coordination, and program evaluation.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills, particularly with sensitive or complex topics.
• Knowledge of adult learning principles and diverse learning modalities, and the ability to engage and support diverse learners.
• Active Trainer certification in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

Preferred

• Bilingual proficiency in English and French (written and spoken)

Please note

• Travel in the Ottawa region (outside of public transit service areas) may be required, and a valid driver's license is necessary
• Work hours will include some evenings and weekends connected with trainings.
• Given the nature of DCOR’s work, the successful candidate may be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check. Further details will be provided during the interview process.

Compensation

• Salary range: $50,000-$60,000
• 15 days vacation
• Hybrid work environment, with work taking place from the candidate’s home office as well as from our central Ottawa office. Free parking is provided.

Application Details

Please submit your résumé and cover letter outlining specifically how you meet the required qualifications via Charity Village by June 22, 2026. Applications must be submitted via Charity Village to be considered.

This posting is for an existing vacancy. DCOR does not use AI to screen, assess, or select applicants for the position. Only those applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted.

DCOR is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the places where we work. We encourage applications from people with lived and living experience of mental health; Indigenous peoples; racialized communities; persons with disabilities; members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities; and others who have been underrepresented in the nonprofit and mental health sectors. Self-identification is entirely voluntary and all information will be kept confidential.

If you require accommodation(s) at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us in confidence by emailing us at jferne@dcottawa.on.ca. All requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered fairly and objectively, ensuring applicants are treated with respect and dignity.