Canada, Alberta, Lethbridge
Applications due: 01 Nov, 2026

Job Synopsis

The Community Safety & Outreach Worker is a frontline presence at the MCC Thrift Store in Lethbridge. Most of the shift is spent on the floor and around the building: welcoming customers, getting to know regular visitors (many of whom are experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, or mental health challenges), de-escalating conflict, and connecting people to community supports. When a situation is unsafe, the Worker decides when to involve EMS or police.

The Community Safety & Outreach Worker takes a relational, nonviolent approach to safety, rooted in MCC’s values. The goal is to give volunteers, staff, and customers a tangible sense of safety while treating every neighbor with dignity.

What this role is not: it is not a chaplaincy, counseling, or program-management position, and it does not involve physically restraining anyone. We are looking for someone with real frontline experience, maturity, and strong relational skills, who is comfortable working directly with the public and setting firm, respectful limits.

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

Required

- Demonstrated commitment to Christian faith, active church involvement, and a clear commitment to nonviolent, restorative approaches to conflict.
- 3 or more years of frontline experience working directly with people experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, mental health challenges, or trauma (for example, outreach, shelter, addiction or mental health services, hospitality or retail, public-facing safety roles with a de-escalation focus, or community-based work). An equivalent combination of education, lived experience, and work experience will be considered.

- Proven de-escalation and crisis-response skills (for example, NVCI, Mental Health First Aid, or equivalent) and, more importantly, real experience safely resolving tense situations.
- Strong relational and communication skills, with a calm, approachable, and professional demeanor. Ability to build rapport and trust with people in crisis, volunteers, staff, and community partners from diverse backgrounds.
- Comfort setting firm, respectful boundaries, including asking someone to leave and calling police or EMS when safety requires it.
- Good judgment and maturity; reads situations quickly, stays calm under pressure, knows their own limits, and asks for help when needed.
- Ability to work independently for most of the shift and to prioritize tasks without close supervision.
- Willingness to work flexible schedule, including some evenings and Saturdays, and to be physically active indoors and outdoors in all weather.
- Ability to keep accurate records and handle confidential information appropriately, with basic computer skills (email, Microsoft Teams, and simple Word or Excel documentation).
- Satisfactory criminal record check, including a vulnerable sector check. A record is considered in relation to the duties of the role and does not automatically disqualify an applicant.

- Ability to coach or mentor volunteers and staff.
- Legally entitled to work in Canada.

Preferred

- Lived experience of street involvement, poverty, or recovery,



and the understanding and credibility that come with it.
- Familiarity with Lethbridge-area agencies and supports serving people who are homeless, street-involved, or struggling with addiction and mental health challenges.
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and/or trauma-informed care training.
- Valid Standard First Aid/CPR training.
- Education or training in restorative justice, conflict transformation, mediation, social work, or community development is welcome but not required.

Key Responsibilities

1. Safety, Conflict Prevention, and Crisis Response (approx. 65% of time)

- Be a calm, visible, and approachable presence in and around the Thrift Store (floor, entrances, parking areas) during peak hours, including evenings and Saturdays.
- Greet customers, volunteers, and regular visitors, and build trust and rapport with individuals who may be experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, or crisis.
- Respond to disruptive situations, safety concerns, and crisis events using trauma-informed, nonviolent de-escalation practices while maintaining clear behavioral boundaries and supporting volunteer and staff safety.
- Assess safety risk in real time and contact emergency services (police, EMS), outreach teams, or other appropriate supports when necessary.
- Debrief and offer post-incident support to volunteers and staff involved in or affected by an incident.
- Meet regularly with the Thrift Store Manager about emerging safety concerns, patterns, and incidents, and follow up and provide practical input on the Thrift Store’s safety and incident-response protocols.

2. Volunteer and Staff Support (approx. 15% of time)

- Foster a culture of empathy, dignity, hospitality, and proactive support among volunteers and staff.
- Offer ongoing encouragement, coaching, and emotional support to volunteers and staff, and share practical de-escalation and safety tips at team huddles or meetings.
- Work with the Thrift Store Manager to support volunteers who greet and welcome customers, so they know when to refer and when to step back (volunteers are not expected to intervene in unsafe situations).

3. Referrals and Community Partnerships (approx. 10% of time)

- Build and maintain relationships and referral pathways with Lethbridge-area agencies that support individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, and mental health challenges.
- Connect community members, when appropriate, with available services and supports that may contribute to their well-being and stability.
- Collaborate with neighboring businesses and organizations facing similar safety concerns to share learning and resources.
- Represent MCC Alberta’s mission and values with community agencies and local authorities, and flag emerging community needs or trends affecting the Thrift Store to the Store Manager and Program Director.

4. Documentation and Reporting (approx. 10% of time)

- Document incidents and follow-ups promptly and accurately, maintaining confidentiality.




- Prepare a brief summary of incidents and trends for the monthly check-in with the Thrift Store Manager and Program Director, and take part in that meeting to review progress, share lessons learned, and adjust the approach as needed.

Other

- Maintain a high level of integrity, reflecting a Christ-like character toward colleagues, volunteers, community partners, and neighbors who are unhoused or marginalized.
- Model nonviolent peacemaking through respectful daily interactions with staff, volunteers, and the public.
- Participate in MCCA orientations, staff meetings, and the Staff Annual Retreat.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Supervision and Working Relationships
This position has two working relationships, each with a clear purpose:

- Program Director (formal supervisor): sets annual priorities and expectations, conducts performance reviews, approves professional development, handles employment matters, and is the point of escalation for serious incidents and concerns about the role itself.

- Thrift Store Manager (day-to-day direction): is the Worker’s first point of contact each shift. Shares daily priorities and concerns, coordinates the Worker’s schedule within store hours, works alongside the Worker on incidents on site, and gives feedback on how the role is working to the Program Director.

- Regular check-ins: a monthly three-way meeting (Worker, Thrift Store Manager, and Program Director) reviews incidents, patterns, and lessons learned. The Worker and Program Director also connect briefly every two weeks.

- Decision-making: in the moment, the Worker uses their own judgment to keep people safe (de-escalating, asking someone to leave, or calling EMS or police) and informs the Store Manager as soon as it is safe to do so. Decisions with lasting consequences, such as a formal trespass notice or a longer-term ban, are made together with the Store Manager.

- Working independently: The Worker owns the frontline safety role and is the first to respond when a customer is in crisis, without waiting for direction. The Worker is part of the store team: Thrift Store staff are on site and close by, including in the adjoining storage room, and the Store Manager is the first point of contact. The Worker covers the store floor, the front parking lot, and the alley, all within easy reach of staff. A simple backup plan (how to signal for help, when to bring in a staff member, and when to step back and call 911) will be set up with the Store Manager and reviewed regularly

Start Date

09 Nov, 2026

Salary Details

Base salary: $62,243

Benefits

Employer paid health, dental & vision, AD&D;, Life - available upon hire. Matching 5% RRSP program. Optional critical illness coverage.

Additional Information

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

- Mostly on your feet and moving, both indoors and outdoors, in all seasons including Alberta winters.
- Evening and Saturday shifts aligned with Thrift Store hours.
- Regular exposure to verbal aggression and distressing situations, and occasional hazards such as used needles and biohazards. Safe-handling procedures and protective equipment are provided.
- A hands-off approach: the Worker does not physically restrain or remove anyone and relies on de-escalation, clear boundaries, and emergency services.

📌 Community Safety & Outreach Worker (Lethbridge)
🏢 Mennonite Central Committee
📍 Lethbridge