George Spady Society

The George Spady Society is recognized as a leader in the development and delivery of effective services for the care, treatment, and support of individuals with substance-related disorders and dual diagnoses. People who come to us find dignity, hope and healing as they set a new path towards health and well-being. George Spady Society provides a continuum of support services supporting people with complex life circumstances associated with substance-related and concurrent disorders and homelessness, empowering them to improve their lives through client-centered, evidence-based best practices.

Description of Duties and Responsibilities

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Detention Management Unit (DMU) Navigators provide seven-day coverage to assist select detainees prior to release from custody or transfer to the Edmonton Remand Centre (ERC). The DMU Navigator role exists to support detainees through immediate engagement, service system navigation, release planning, and connection to appropriate community supports that promote recovery, stability, independence, and reduce future reliance on police, emergency services, crisis, and correctional systems.

DMU Navigators operate from a recovery-oriented philosophy, using assertive engagement and specialized knowledge of community resources to assist individuals experiencing social, housing, addiction, mental health, health, and system-navigation challenges while detained in EPS custody.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the DMU Sergeant, DMU Navigators provide operational social service expertise within a police-led detention environment. Navigators work collaboratively with DMU personnel to identify eligible detainees, assess immediate needs, facilitate service connections, and support release planning efforts.

The Navigator role is limited to the detainee's period of detention within DMU and does not include ongoing case management or long-term ownership of individuals. The position focuses on immediate intervention, stabilization, service navigation, and coordinated transition planning.

DMU Navigators support operational detention objectives by providing specialized knowledge of community systems and resources for detainees identified as potentially benefiting from social service intervention. The role focuses on immediate engagement, stabilization, release planning, and connection to services rather than long-term case ownership.

The Navigator is a subject-matter expert in systems navigation operating within a police-led detention environment. Engagement concludes upon release from DMU or transfer to the Edmonton Remand Centre.

Navigators do not maintain ongoing client files,



provide long-term case management, or create official records of police interactions. Their role is to support immediate engagement, service navigation, short-term stabilization, referral, and release planning activities while the individual remains in custody.

All official police documentation related to detainee interactions, arrests, investigations, and detention management remains the responsibility of EPS members through established reporting processes. Navigator interaction summaries may be provided to EPS personnel for inclusion within appropriate police records in accordance with approved procedures.

Duties Include:

- Review detainee information daily and identify individuals meeting established program criteria.
- Conduct initial contacts with detainees to introduce available support and determine willingness to participate in Navigator services.
- Complete consultation meetings with consenting detainees to identify needs, barriers, risks, and opportunities for support.
- Assess needs related to housing, homelessness, income support, mental health, addictions, healthcare, transportation, recovery, and community services.
- Provide information regarding available programs, resources, treatment options, and community support.
- Facilitate referrals to community agencies and service providers appropriate to the detainee's circumstances.
- Support release planning and coordinate warm hand-offs to community agencies when operationally appropriate.
- Work collaboratively with DMU Sergeants, Community Peace Officers (CPOs), Paramedics, Charge Support Unit personnel, and community partners.
- Participate in daily operational huddles and briefings to discuss detainee suitability, safety considerations, medical concerns, and release planning opportunities.
- Maintain awareness of available community resources and evolving social service systems.
- Document interactions and complete required operational and statistical reporting.
- Prepare weekly statistical summaries and program updates for DMU and HELP leadership.
- Communicate operational concerns, emerging trends, service gaps, and systemic barriers to supervisory personnel.
- Accompany Community Peace Officers in support of approved release plans and community transitions when required.




- Attend mandatory training and maintain competencies necessary to safely operate within a secure detention environment.
- Maintain operational readiness and adhere to all EPS safety, security, and facility protocols.

Recordkeeping and Reporting

- Document interactions in accordance with approved operational procedures and maintain statistical records required for program evaluation and grant reporting.
- Support ongoing program evaluation efforts and collect information required to satisfy grant reporting requirements and operational performance measures.
- Support ongoing program evaluation efforts and collect information required to satisfy grant reporting requirements and operational performance measures.

Position Requirements

- Experienced Social Worker, Nurse, or Recovery Coach
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar position
- Driver’s license in valuable standing
- Successful EPS Enhanced Security Clearance
- Current Police with Vulnerable Sector Check
- Competent in use of all Office365 applications
- Excellent boundaries and sound self-care practices
- Robust interpersonal, administrative, time management and organizational skills
- Self-motivated and ability to work independently
- Good understanding of trauma-informed care and able to operate within a Recovery Model of Care
- Current First Aid/CPR/AED Training

Hours of Work: 7:00 am to 6:30 pm, 4 on, 4 off rotation, 4th scheduled shift ends at 6:15 pm

Equal Chance Employer: George Spady Society is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse team benefits and enriches our work and is essential to our operational excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, members of racialized communities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity to confidentially self-identify at time of application should you wish to. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Pay: From $62,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- RRSP match

Application question(s):

- Do you have a good understanding of trauma-informed care and able to operate within a Recovery Model of Care?

Education:

- DCS / DEC (preferred)

Experience:

- Mental Health and Addictions: 3 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

- Alberta Driver's License (required)
- current Police with Vulnerable Sector Check (required)
- current First Aid/CPR/AED certification (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 The George Spady Society - EPS HELP, Detention Management Unit (Edmonton)
🏢 George Spady Society
📍 Edmonton