Justice Navigator

About Us The African Nova Scotian Justice Institute (ANSJI) works to address systemic racism in the justice system and to support fair, equitable, and culturally responsive outcomes for African Nova Scotians and Black people of African descent.

ANSJI recognizes African Nova Scotians as a distinct people with a unique history and lived experience, particularly in relation to the justice system. Our work is grounded in community, collaboration, and practical approaches that respond to the needs of individuals and families.

Position Summary The Role and Why it Matters

ANSJI is seeking a Justice Navigator to provide culturally grounded navigation, advocacy, case support, and referral coordination for African Nova Scotian and Black clients who are involved with, affected by, or at risk of involvement with the justice system.

Reporting to the Director of Community Justice or designate, this role supports people through some of the most difficult and complex moments in their lives. Clients may be navigating criminal justice, family and child welfare, mental health, addictions, housing, income, education, or other social issues connected to justice system involvement.

The Justice Navigator helps clients understand their options, prepare for meetings or court-related processes, connect with services, and follow through on practical next steps. This role works closely with ANSJI’s legal services, community justice, restorative justice, IRCA-related work, and partner organizations.

This role is about more than referrals and forms. It is about helping people feel less alone while they are navigating systems that can be confusing, intimidating, and harmful.

What You’ll Do The Justice Navigator will:

- Provide intake, triage, navigation, case support, and follow-up support to clients with basic, complex, or urgent needs.
- Help clients understand justice system processes, court-related obligations, referrals, conditions, and available community supports.
- Support clients with forms, documents, appointment preparation, referrals, and practical problem-solving.
- Refer clients to specialized supports and follow through to ensure a connection is established.
- Maintain accurate, confidential, and current case notes, client files, referral records, and service tracking information.
- Identify urgent concerns related to safety, mental health, addictions, family conflict, housing, income, or child welfare and connect clients with appropriate supports.
- Work with clients, families, justice system partners, community organizations, and service providers to support fair and culturally responsive outcomes.
- Provide advocacy while working within role boundaries, ANSJI policy, and legal service protocols.
- Provide court accompaniment and support clients who are interacting with police, courts, Crown, defence counsel, probation, corrections, child welfare, and related systems.
- Identify recurring barriers faced by clients and bring forward trends that can inform ANSJI’s policy, advocacy, and program work.
- Deliver or support presentations, workshops, and public education for community, government, justice partners, and service organizations.
- Build and maintain strong referral relationships with community-based programs, culturally relevant service providers, and partner organizations.
- Work collaboratively with ANSJI staff across legal services, community justice, restorative justice, IRCA-related work, and administration.
- Participate in weekly case conferences and team meetings to review client progress,



coordinate support strategies, and maintain shared awareness across files.

What You Bring The ideal candidate will bring a mix of education, lived experience, community connection, and practical experience. We are looking for someone who understands the importance of this work and can show up with care, sound judgment, and follow-through. Qualifications and experience may include:

- Post-secondary education in social work, law, human services, child and youth studies, criminal justice, social sciences, or a related field. A combination of education, lived experience, community leadership, and relevant work experience may also be considered.
- At least two years of related employment, volunteer, or community experience in social service, justice, community, or culturally specific support environments is preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of African Nova Scotians as a distinct people, including the history, contributions, and current realities of African Nova Scotian communities.
- Experience working with vulnerable and marginalized Black and African Nova Scotian community members, including people navigating the stigma that follows justice involvement, mental health challenges, addiction, or poverty.
- Knowledge of the criminal justice system, family and child welfare systems, youth justice, mental health and addiction supports, and community-based services.
- Experience supporting people experiencing crisis, trauma, poverty, family conflict, system barriers, or justice involvement.
- A valid Class 5 driver’s licence and access to reliable transportation is preferred.
- Training in crisis intervention, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Mental Health First Aid, or First Aid/CPR—or a willingness to complete this training—is an asset.
- A Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Search and Child Abuse Registry Check will be required before starting employment. Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify an applicant. Any findings will be assessed individually in relation to the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Skills and Abilities The successful candidate will have:

- Strong relationship-building skills with clients, families, communities, and justice system partners.
- The ability to work with confidentiality, discretion, sound judgment, and cultural humility.
- The ability to work from a judgment free lens, recognizing that stigma follows people through systems and that trust is built by meeting clients where they are.
- The ability to maintain professional boundaries while building trusting relationships with clients and community.
- Knowledge understanding of the social determinants of health and social determinants of justice
- An understanding of trauma-informed, harm reduction, restorative, and Africentric approaches.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, including case notes, referral documentation, reports, and presentations.
- The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced and emotionally demanding environment.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to follow-through.
- Comfort working in a Microsoft 365 environment (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) for documentation,



scheduling, and communication, including strong note taking and record keeping habits. Experience with client or case management databases is an asset.

Working Conditions

- Regular work is during ANSJI office hours, with some flexibility required for court, client, partner, community, evening, or weekend commitments.
- Work may take place onsite, remotely, in court settings, in community settings, and with partner organizations.
- Travel within Halifax Regional Municipality and across Nova Scotia may be required.
- The work may involve high-stress situations, crisis response, and sensitive client information.

Compensation & Terms of Employment This is a full-time position with a starting salary of $70,000 per year, plus advantages.

This position is designated for a person of African descent.

The African Nova Scotian Justice Institute (ANSJI) adopts the following definition from the African Nova Scotian Strategy:

“African Nova Scotians as a distinct people who descend from free and enslaved Black Planters, Black Loyalists, Black Refugees, Maroons, and other Black people who inhabited the original 52 land-based Black communities in that part of Mi'kma'ki known as Nova Scotia.”

ANSJI recognizes the unique histories, contributions, resilience, and lived experiences of African Nova Scotian communities, as well as the ongoing impacts of systemic and institutional anti-Black racism that continue to affect many individuals, families, and communities today. As an organization established to advance justice, equity, and community well-being for African Nova Scotian communities, ANSJI recognizes the importance of representation, lived experience, cultural knowledge, and community connection in the delivery of its programs and services.

Applicants will be asked to voluntarily self-identify as a person of African descent as part of the recruitment process. ANSJI particularly encourages applications from African Nova Scotians, recognizing the unique historical and contemporary experiences of African Nova Scotian communities and the organization's mandate to serve and support those communities.

ANSJI is committed to creating a respectful, inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive workplace where all employees are supported to contribute fully and authentically. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment, selection, and employment processes upon request.

How to Apply

Please submit your expression of interest to:

Sarah Upshaw, Director of Operations [email protected]

Subject line: Justice Navigator

This position closes on November 1st at 11:59pm.

Final Note

We recognize that candidates may bring different combinations of experience and qualifications. If you believe you have the skills and perspective to succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Pay: From $70,000.00 per year

Benefits

- Dental care
- On-site parking
- RRSP match
- Vision care

Application question(s):
- This position is designated for a person of African descent.

Do you identify as a person of African Descent?
- The African Nova Scotian Justice Institute (ANSJI) adopts the following definition from the African Nova Scotian Strategy:

“African Nova Scotians as a distinct people who descend from free and enslaved Black Planters, Black Loyalists, Black Refugees, Maroons, and other Black people who inhabited the original 52 land-based Black communities in that part of Mi'kma'ki known as Nova Scotia.” Do you identify as African Nova Scotian?

Work Location: In person

📌 Justice Navigator (Halifax Regional Municipality)
🏢 African Nova Scotian Justice Institute
📍 Halifax Regional Municipality