Forensic Assessment and Treatment Unit Coordinator

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 FATU Coordinator serves as the primary point of contact for individuals, legal professionals, courts, community organizations, and other referral sources seeking services through the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute's (ANSJI) Forensic Assessment and Treatment Unit (FATU).

The FATU Coordinator is responsible for coordinating all referrals for Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs), supportive counselling, and other FATU services. This includes receiving and triaging referrals, determining eligibility, assigning assessments to qualified assessors, maintaining accurate records, tracking service data, and coordinating invoicing and payment processes.

Working collaboratively with the Director of Operations, contracted assessors, clinicians, legal professionals, and justice system partners, the FATU Coordinator ensures timely, confidential, and efficient delivery of services while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and client care.

Core Accountabilities

Client Intake & Service Coordination

- -Serve as the primary point of contact for all FATU inquiries, responding to clients, lawyers, courts, community organizations, and referral partners.
- -Receive, review, and triage referrals for Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs), supportive counselling, IRCA Aftercare, and other FATU services.
- -Provide accurate information regarding eligibility, referral processes, timelines, required documentation, and available services.
- -Establish and maintain confidential client files and ensure accurate documentation throughout service delivery.
- -Identify urgent, complex, or high-risk matters and escalate them to the appropriate ANSJI leadership.

IRCA Coordination

- -Coordinate all aspects of the IRCA referral process, including assessor assignment, scheduling, communication, and follow-up.
- -Maintain the roster of approved assessors and assign assessments based on availability, expertise, workload, and geographic location.
- -Monitor assessment progress and timelines while serving as the liaison between assessors, legal counsel, courts, and referral sources.
- -Resolve administrative and scheduling issues to ensure timely completion of assessments.

Program Administration & Operations

- -Maintain accurate electronic and paper records, databases, tracking systems, and program documentation.
- -Coordinate meetings, appointments, communications, and administrative activities supporting FATU operations.
- -Prepare invoices, process assessor payments, maintain financial tracking records, and assist with budget and service utilization monitoring.
- -Collect and analyze referral, service, waitlist, demographic, and outcome data and prepare reports as required.
- -Ensure compliance with privacy legislation, confidentiality standards, and ANSJI policies.
- -Contribute to continuous quality improvement initiatives and perform other related duties as assigned.

National IRCA Training Program Support

- -Support the Training Lead in coordinating and administering the National IRCA Training Program.
- -Assist with participant communication, scheduling, logistics, records management, and training materials.
- -Support the development of national assessor capacity, infrastructure, and networks across Canada.

Community & Partner Engagement

- -Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community organizations, justice partners, clinicians, referral agencies, and other stakeholders.




- -Identify opportunities for collaboration, referrals, information sharing, and coordinated service delivery.
- -Represent ANSJI professionally in community engagement activities consistent with the organization's mandate and values.

IRCA Aftercare

- -Conduct scheduled IRCA Aftercare follow-up with clients, explain the program, and obtain verbal consent to participate.
- -Review IRCA recommendations, assess participation in recommended services, and identify barriers to accessing supports.
- -Provide information, referrals, and connections to culturally responsive services and ANSJI programs, including Justice Navigator services where appropriate.
- -Maintain accurate case notes and collect data related to client outcomes, service utilization, barriers, and program effectiveness.
- -Collaborate with assessors, clinicians, Justice Navigators, and community partners to support coordinated client care and identify opportunities for program improvement.

Decision-Making & Accountability

- -Coordinate intake, referrals, records, and routine program communications within established ANSJI policies and procedures.
- -Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive legal, clinical, and organizational information.
- -Work within the scope of the position and refer matters requiring legal, clinical, or organizational authority to the appropriate ANSJI leadership

Qualifications and Experience

- -Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of African Nova Scotians as a distinct people, as well as social issues affecting the community.
- -Bachelor of Social Work and registration as a Registered Social Worker in valuable standing with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers is preferred.
- -One or more years of clinical experience is preferred. Applicants with less clinical experience may be considered where they bring other relevant skills, experience, or community-based knowledge.
- -Mental health and/or social work experience with African Nova Scotian clients, particularly clients in conflict with the criminal justice system, is an asset.
- -Experience with intake, case coordination, referral processes, program administration, training coordination, community outreach, or justice-related service delivery is an asset.
- -Experience working with confidential, sensitive, legal, clinical, or justice-related information is an asset.

-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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

- -Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- -Strong professional judgment, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
- -Strong computer literacy and ability to learn new programs, databases, tracking tools, and digital systems.
- -Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office and related programs.
- -Ability to work under tight deadlines, prioritize workload, maintain flexibility, respond to competing demands, and remain organized.
- -Strong organization, time management, follow-through, and project coordination skills.
- -Ability to manage projects and tasks independently while keeping appropriate people informed.
- -Demonstrated self-starter who can work independently, as a member of an interdisciplinary team,



and collaboratively with community partners.
- -Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and exercise discretion when necessary.
- -Ability to communicate with care and clarity when working with individuals, families, professionals, and community organizations.

Working Conditions

- -Work may involve sensitive, confidential, and emotionally complex matters related to racism, criminal justice involvement, trauma, family circumstances, and institutional barriers.
- -The role may require contact with community organizations, legal professionals, clinicians, assessors, families, and justice system partners across Nova Scotia and nationally.
- -The role requires careful documentation, timely follow-up, and secure handling of information.
- -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.

Compensation & Terms of Employment This is a full-time position with a starting salary of $65,000 per year, plus benefits.

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: FATU Coordinator

This Job posting 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 $65,000.00 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

📌 Forensic Assessment & Treatment Unit Coordinator (Halifax Regional Municipality)
🏢 African Nova Scotian Justice Institute
📍 Halifax Regional Municipality