Housing Navigator

The Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC) is a non-profit organization that provides free legal education, representation and advocacy on rental housing matters. A leader in tenant rights since 1984, TRAC’s mission is to enhance legal protections and improve access to justice for people who rent their home in British Columbia.

TRAC recently moved into a street-level office where Housing Navigators are beginning to provide drop-in services to the public. This new program primarily aims to help tenants understand their legal rights and navigate the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) dispute resolution process.

This Housing Navigator position will require 28 hours of in-person work per week at our office (900 Howe Street in Vancouver).

RESPONSIBILITIES

Housing Navigators help tenants navigate their tenancy issues by:

• providing education on legal rights and responsibilities under BC’s Residential Tenancy Act
• assisting with RTB dispute resolution applications
• empowering tenants to communicate effectively with their landlords, using TRAC’s Template Letters
• assisting with intake for TRAC’s Housing Law Clinic
• providing referrals to other community resources
• managing reception for the drop-in, which involves: answering phone calls; greeting visitors; managing the queue; tracking volume of visitors and other stats; and supporting visitors with public computers.

Housing Navigators also assist with tasks that support the smooth-running of TRAC’s drop-in service, including:

• developing and maintaining a database of referrals
• supporting the development of tools that streamline drop-in work
• attending community events to promote TRAC’s work
• distributing TRAC’s educational resources

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• Exceptional communication skills, including: the ability to communicate with diverse visitors facing intersecting barriers; the ability to explain complex legal concepts in plain language; the ability to actively listen and respond with empathy; and the ability to set compassionate boundaries with visitors
• Knowledge of BC residential tenancy law and RTB dispute resolution policies and procedures*
• Knowledge of community referral options in the Lower Mainland and across BC*
• Passion for social justice, tenant rights, and working from within an anti-oppressive framework
• Ability to exercise sound judgment about what relevant information and options should be given to visitors
• Training in relevant areas (e.g. non-violent crisis-intervention / de-escalation and trauma and violence-informed practice) is an asset*
• Experience providing similar in-person services to the public is an asset
• Ability to speak a second language is an asset
• Existing profile in the social justice legal community is an asset

*Training can be provided to the successful applicant

TRAC supports employment equity. While not required, we encourage applicants from Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQI+ and other traditionally underrepresented or marginalized groups to self-identify in their cover letter.

TRAC is located on unceded Coast Salish territory, including the lands belonging to the
xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) & səlil̓wətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations