National Support Line Navigator

Title: National Support Line Navigator

Reports to: Program Manager

Maximum # of direct reports: 0

Location: Remote based in Canada, with occasional travel

Hours: 37.5 hours a week / 7.5 hours a day – 5 days a week

Salary $55,000 + $4,000 HSA (Health Spending Account)

Duration: Full-time, 1-year contract (with potential for renewal pending funding)

Position: New vacancy (Pilot Initiative)

Ideal Start Date: September 2025; Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and must be received no later than Friday, August 29th, at 5:00 pm EST.

Position Overview:

The National Support Line Navigator is a dedicated role within the Empowering Connections pilot, created specifically to support Autistic and neurodivergent people of all ages who are experiencing distress, loneliness, or disconnection. This position exists to centre their needs, voices, and experiences by offering trauma-sensitive, peer-informed, and timely support.

While our Family Support Navigator provides guidance to caregivers, families, professionals, and peers, this role is focused on direct engagement with Autistic and neurodivergent people themselves, fostering connection, understanding, and access to affirming resources.

This position is ideal for an Autistic professional with a background in peer support, counselling, psychology, social work, or mental health services. The Navigator will respond to phone, email, and chat inquiries in a bilingual setting, offering meaningful dialogue, emotional support, and personalized guidance during moments of need.

This role was created in response to a significant gap in services for Autistic and neurodivergent people, who often face high rates of isolation and barriers to inclusive mental health care. It reflects Autism Canada’s commitment to lived experience, equity, and accessible support across the lifespan.

About Autism Canada:

For over four decades, Autism Canada has stood at the forefront of addressing the complex challenges faced by individuals with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and their support networks across the nation. Established in 1976, our organization has been unwavering in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life and well-being of those on the Autism Spectrum. We achieve this through robust education, targeted advocacy, and steadfast support.

Rooted in a rich history of service and excellence, Autism Canada delivers elite programs and resources that resonate within the community. Highlights include our annual Au-Some Conference—an event crafted by and for those on the spectrum—a cornerstone of our educational outreach. Our devoted Family Support team, alongside over 20 literacy programmes, empowers individuals with the tools for social awareness, inclusion, and behaviour recognition.

As we continue to expand our offerings with a comprehensive catalogue of educational resources for both public and private sectors, Autism Canada remains a beacon of hope and progress. Celebrating over 45 years of dedicated service, we continue to forge paths toward a more inclusive and understanding Canada, making a profound and lasting impact on the autism community.

Key Responsibilities:

Direct Support and Navigation

• Respond to all incoming messages via phone, email, or chat with empathy and respect, recognizing the communication preferences and support needs of each person in both English and French.
• Provide trauma-informed, peer-informed guidance and emotional support in real time.
• Offer help navigating services or accessing trusted resources, and when necessary, coordinate a follow-up with the National Support Line Coordinator.
• Ensure all support interactions are clearly documented using internal systems to track trends, gaps, and service quality.

Program Delivery and Coordination

• Participate in team meetings, debriefs, and check-ins with the National Program Director to ensure alignment in support practices and shared learning.
• Help collect feedback from users informally to understand how the support line is functioning and identify areas for improvement.
• Contribute to visibility and awareness of the program through outreach and community-based communication.
• Provide bilingual support to help remove barriers for Francophone clients.
• Identify urgent needs or gaps in support and offer immediate assistance or referral to appropriate resources.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of autism services and share timely updates with families.

Inclusion, Accessibility, and Community Engagement

• Model and advocate for inclusive, neuro-affirming, and trauma-sensitive support strategies.
• Use language and interaction styles that reflect equity, accessibility, and lived experience.
• Actively identify and report systemic or service gaps affecting the Autistic and neurodivergent community and collaborate with the broader team to co-develop accessible pathways to care and connection.

Community Engagement and Capacity Building

• Host or co-host webinars, wellness groups, peer learning sessions, and information events to support caregivers and community members.
• Build relationships with grassroots organizations, regional partners, and volunteers to expand Autism Canada’s reach.
• Represent Autism Canada in stakeholder meetings and community networks as assigned.
• Participate in planning and executing national initiatives that support Autistic and neurodivergent people and their caregivers.

Qualifications and Skills

• Lived experience as an Autistic person is required. Please indicate your lived experience in your cover letter or resume.
• Diploma or degree in social work, counselling, psychology, community mental health, crisis intervention, social service work, or a related field
• Bilingual in English and French, with the ability to deliver French content verbally and translate or create bilingual content is preferred but not required. Please indicate your level of oral, written, and spoken French proficiency in your cover letter or resume.
• Minimum two years of experience in inclusion and accessibility, community organizing, crisis support, or nonprofit program coordination
• An equivalent combination of lived and professional experience will be considered
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-oppression, equity, and neurodiversity-affirming practices
• Proven experience in public engagement, facilitation, or peer-led initiatives
• Strong verbal and written communication and relationship-building skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Slack, Monday.com, Zoom, and virtual collaboration platforms
• This is a remote position requiring reliable internet access and digital platforms
• Flexibility for occasional evening or weekend work may be required
• Occasional travel may be needed to support community events or training

Not Sure You Meet Every Requirement?

We understand that experience comes in many forms. If you are passionate about our community and believe in our mission, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet every qualification listed.

Why Join Us?

• Work remotely with a passionate, collaborative, and supportive team looking to make a difference.
• Engage in meaningful partnerships and advocacy efforts to drive systemic change.
• Help build the foundation of a national support model rooted in lived experience
• Be part of a CN-funded initiative making real change for people across Canada
• Flexible schedule with core working hours of 10 am to 4 pm EST.
• Semi-casual dress code
• 2 weeks' vacation plus additional paid time off (personal days, sick days, annual holiday closure)
• Company-provided laptop, cell phone, printer, and approved accessibility supports.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to apply@autismcanada.org with “National Support Line Navigator” noted in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and must be received no later than Friday, August 29th, at 5:00 pm EST. We thank everyone for their interest in this position; however, only those candidates invited to interview with us will be contacted.

Autism Canada is an equal opportunity employer committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and actively encourage Autistic people and from all equity deserving groups to apply. We welcome qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veterans status or any other legally protected factors.

Autism Canada is committed to providing a barrier-free work environment in concert with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. As such, Autism Canada will make accommodations available to applicants with disabilities upon request during the hiring process.