We are seeking a Victim Assistance Unit (VAU) Coordinator to join our team and are looking for someone with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to lead a team who provide specialized support services to victims and witnesses of crime and trauma.
The NWPD is a mid-sized police department with over 200 employees. We are committed to having a professional and supportive workplace promoting employee equity, wellness, and fulfillment. We are a hard-working and welcoming team focused on doing great work and serving our community.
What your key role will be
As the VAU Coordinator, you will be responsible for supervising a team of Full-time VAU Caseworkers and Auxiliary Crisis Intervention Workers who provide crisis intervention and direct support services to those impacted by crime and/or trauma, as well as follow up support after the incident. You’ll work as part of the team as well as provide leadership, support, training and oversight. In addition to this, your role includes, but is not limited to:
Adaptability: You’ll have the willingness and ability to adapt to the dynamic needs of the position and the Department.
Communication: You’ll have excellent communication skills both orally and in writing, and the ability to convey information clearly and simply. As well, you are an active listener who ensures you understand directions and information being shared.
Confidentiality: You’ll navigate your role while exercising considerable confidentiality, tact, and diplomacy. You’ll have a keen sense and awareness of the rules and procedures with respect to the handling of confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
Decision Making: You’ll have strong decision-making skills which allow you to make confident assessments of policies and procedures while applying them accordingly in high-pressure environments. You will assess the sensitivity of requests and attempt to resolve contentious issues.
Leadership: You’ll oversee, plan, schedule, train and review the work of a team of full-time and auxiliary employees. You’ll lead authentically as well as inspire and coach others.
Planning and Organizing: You’ll have strong organizational skills as well as the ability to adapt and manage multiple tasks and details in a fast-paced environment.
Time Management: You’ll manage your time and resources to ensure work is completed efficiently and with minimal supervision.
What you bring to this role
You will have experience and success in many of the following areas:
You have completed Grade 12
You have post-secondary degree in social sciences
You have completed a supervisory course or have experience in a supervisory role
You have strong interpersonal skills and sound judgement
You are motivated, compassionate, and empathetic and have a genuine desire to help others
You support and promote a diverse, inclusive, and healthy workplace
You have direct experience with crisis intervention and follow-up support practices and techniques related to the work performed (Trauma-Informed Practice)
You have considerable knowledge of police and victim services program objectives and procedures; as well as the Criminal Justice System and the services available through community agencies and organizations
You have the ability to effectively assess risk
You can navigate your role while exercising considerable confidentiality, tact, and diplomacy
You have the ability to monitor the work of others, identify deficiencies, and recommend remedial or corrective action when required
You are confident working with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook), PRIME and Justin
You hold a valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License
You must be within a 30-minute response time to the New Westminster Police Department when on call
You can pass and maintain a security clearance, including a background check and polygraph
What we can offer you
An exciting and challenging career
Competitive salary and municipal pension plan
Vacation time to foster a flexible work-life balance
Compressed work week (4 days)
Learning and development reimbursement
Comprehensive extended health and dental benefits, group life insurance, employee and family assistance program, sick leave plan, and maternity leave top up to 6 weeks at 95%
Access to onsite fitness facility, free staff parking, and transit subsidy
Supportive leaders and co-workers who care about you and your family’s health and wellness
Centrally located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia
One block away from Columbia Skytrain Station
A work environment giving you the ability to connect one-on-one with our staff, including police officers, civilian members, and senior leadership team
What we’ll accomplish together
As a civilian member, working within a police department is a career like no other. It brings excitement, variety, and a challenge. The person you are, the work you will do, and the role you will play in this organization matters. You will become part of the NWPD family and join our group of diverse and talented people who truly want to make a difference.
If you are excited and curious to learn more about this opportunity, please apply – we would love to hear from you!
Job Title: Victim Assistance Unit Coordinator
Employment Status: Temporary Full-Time up to 18 months
Application Deadline: Friday, November 14, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.
Number of Positions: One
Union: CUPE Local 387
Department: Victim Assistance Unit, NWPD
Salary: $77,523 to $91,549 (2024 rate) per year plus benefits; salary will be pro-rated based on the duration of the term.
Competition Status: This competition is open to New Westminster Police Department and City of New Westminster employees only
Hours of Work: This position is 35 hours a week. Shift flexibility is required, as well as the ability to work on-call and carry a work cell phone to receive work phone calls afterhours.
To support a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community; women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQ2S+), persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the diversity of our workforce, are encouraged to express their interest. New Westminster is on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halq'eméylem-speaking peoples. It is acknowledged by the City that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land. We are learning and building relationships with the people whose lands we are on. We thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
This position is only open to those with Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency in Canada.
