Peer Employment Support Worker

Position Summary: As a Peer Employment Support Worker, you will share your own knowledge and lived experience of mental illness/substance use to assist Program Participants to achieve their stated employment, volunteer, or education related goals. Within this role, you will work with Program Participants in recovery from substance use seeking competitive, paid employment in an integrated community setting. Service delivery is based on a Program Participant centered, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental perspective.

What We Offer:

• Competitive extended benefits including dental, vision, physiotherapy, massage, and fertility **
• Municipal Pension Plan **
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• On-site training and development opportunities
• A culture of equality, inclusion, and diversity including paid cultural sensitivity days
• Life and Accidental death insurance
• Wellness plan benefits up to a maximum of $250.00 annually **
• Competitive Vacation entitlements with up to 3 weeks paid vacation in your first year **

**upon eligibility

Specific Responsibilities:

• Encourage and support Program Participants to live as fully and independently as possible.
• Assists Program Participants in achieving goal(s), acquiring new skills, or linking with community resources.
• Support Program Participants with reaching goals such as but not limited to: job searches, building confidence, navigating websites, and job applications, interview skills, assisting with income assistance.
• Establish a dignifying and purposeful relationship with the Program Participant, clarifying the role of the Peer Employment Support Worker.
• Assist the Program Participant with the development of life skills such as maintaining personal hygiene, meeting financial obligations, making and keeping appointments, and interpersonal skills.
• Assist the Program Participant with community integration activities and escort them to a range of community services and opportunities.
• Share information with Directors regarding the experience of individuals with mental illness/substance use.
• Collaborate with the Program Participant and team to support the Program Participant to achieve individual goals.
• Assist the Program Participant towards self-managing all aspects of their life, including their mental illness and other health conditions.
• Participate in program planning, development, evaluation, and quality improvement activities.
• Prepare and maintain written and computerized records and complete program documentation.
• Conduct information sessions, facilitate workshops and peer learning groups.
• Attend networking events to build awareness around the program and recruit employers.
• Maintain awareness of current community resources and assist the Program Participant in accessing services.
• Other related duties as appropriate and required.
• Conduct assessments of potential Program Participants using the BC Housing-mandated Vulnerability Assessment Tool (VAT) when requested.
• Complete accurate communication/case notes.
• Maintain files and statistics as per accreditation standards.
• Complete move-in/move-out documentation as required by the Property Services Department.
• Be a member of the Society’s Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) team when requested.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Lived experience accessing mental health and addiction resources.
• Peer Support Training is considered an asset.
• One year of experience working within a peer lens is an asset.
• Well-organized, initiative, flexibility, sound judgment, and good interpersonal skills.
• Strong ability to recognize and address difficult behaviors.
• Good communication, documentation, and conflict management skills.
• Ability to work within a team-based environment involving multi-agency support.
• Strong working knowledge of community resources.
• Understands and maintains professional boundaries.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation is an asset.
• Must pass an acceptable criminal record check for the vulnerable sector.
• Basic First Aid (Emergency) is required.
• Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, and Trauma Informed Practice are assets.
• Environment is pet-friendly.