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.
- Transparent 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, non‑violent 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

📌 Community Outreach Peacebuilder (Lethbridge)
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📍 Lethbridge