Job Title: SHE Builds Program Navigator
Start Date: Asap
End Date: June 30, 2027
Wage: $29.00/hr - $35.00/hr
SHE Builds Small Steps to Success Program Summary:
SHE Builds Small Steps to Success (SSTS) is an eight-week, holistic program that supports women and gender-diverse survivors of gender-based violence in building confidence, developing life and employment skills, and preparing for meaningful careers in the skilled trades. Through interactive workshops, employment preparation, hands-on learning, individualized support, and ongoing wraparound services, participants gain the tools, industry connections, and confidence to move toward education, employment, and long-term economic independence. The program is delivered in partnership with Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, YWCA Cambridge, Conestoga College, the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, and Interval House of Hamilton.
Job Summary
The SHE Builds Program Navigator is responsible for ensuring participants receive coordinated, individualized support throughout every phase of the SHE Builds project. Working collaboratively with project partners, the Program Navigator provides participant navigation, case coordination, barrier reduction, data management, and wraparound support to promote successful transitions into skilled trades training and sustainable employment.
Duties:
Outreach
- Serve as the primary point of contact for participants throughout the SHE Builds project, providing consistent communication, advocacy, and individualized support from intake through the program.
- Work collaboratively with the YWCA Cambridge Small Steps to Success team, Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, Conestoga College, the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, employers, and project partners to coordinate participant supports across all phases of the project.
- Support participant recruitment, screening, intake, and readiness assessments in collaboration with project partners.
- Build trusting relationships with participants using trauma-informed, participant-centred practices.
- Identify barriers to participation and coordinate wraparound supports including child minding, transportation, financial assistance, accessibility accommodations, housing, healthcare, and other community resources.
- Support participants through successful transitions between pre-employment programming, skilled trades training, and placement while maintaining regular follow-up and engagement.
- Maintain participant confidentiality and manage information in accordance with organizational policies, privacy legislation, and funder requirements.
Administration
- Lead participant data collection, documentation, and reporting to ensure compliance with funder and project requirements.
- Maintain accurate participant files, referrals, service plans, financial supports, and outcome tracking.
- Monitor participant progress, milestones, attendance, certifications, educational transitions, employment placements, and retention.
- Support with the coordination of participant tracking systems and preparation of statistical and outcome reports for project leadership and funders.
- Assist with monitoring and accessing participant supports including stipends and approved barrier reduction funding.
Program
- Working with the SHE Builds Small Steps to Success team, coordinate participant intake and develop individualized support plans that identify goals, strengths, barriers, and required services.
- Provide ongoing participant navigation and case coordination using strengths-based, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and survivor-centred approaches.
- Coordinate referrals and collaborate with project and community partners to ensure participants receive timely educational, financial, employment, counselling, and community supports.
- Work closely with facilitators, instructors, employers, and partner organizations to monitor participant progress and respond proactively to emerging needs.
- Coordinate access to barrier reduction supports including child minding, transportation, pre-employment/clothing needs, educational materials, and other approved participant expenses.
- Support participant transitions into Conestoga College skilled trades programming and employment placements while promoting participant retention and long-term success.
- Facilitate mentorship connections and advocate for participants to reduce systemic barriers to education and employment.
Other Duties:
- Participate in YWCA Cambridge, SHE Builds leadership, partner, and community meetings as required.
- Promote continuous quality improvement by identifying participant trends, service gaps, and opportunities to strengthen program delivery.
- Promote the SHE Builds project in collaboration with project partners.
- Support the mission, vision, and values of YWCA Cambridge.
- Work from an intersectional feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed framework.
Qualifications:
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, databases, and participant information management systems.
- Demonstrated understanding of gender-based violence, intimate partner violence, complex trauma, and survivor-centred service delivery.
- Strong case management and participant navigation skills, including coordinating wraparound supports and advocating to reduce barriers to participation and employment.
- Strong knowledge of trauma-informed, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, intersectional feminist, and strengths-based practice.
- Exceptional relationship-building, collaboration, and communication skills with participants, community partners, educational institutions, employers, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail, documentation, data management, and reporting skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining participant engagement and ensuring accountability to project timelines and funder requirements.
- Knowledge of community resources, employment services, skilled trades pathways, and educational systems.
- Sound judgment, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and crisis response skills.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, and continuous learning.
Deadline for applications is July 14, 2026.
Interested candidates should forward their resume to: Kate Taylor, Director of Programs, [email protected].
We thank you for your interest in this position. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted
Work Location: In person
Pay: $29.00-$35.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
