Community Development Worker

Region of Peel; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 73,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to community health and harm reduction. As a Community Development Worker, you'll provide essential services and support to underserved populations, fostering health equity and reducing stigma. This role requires a commitment to outreach and education, engaging with diverse communities to deliver impactful harm reduction services. Enjoy a supportive work environment with comprehensive benefits and opportunities for personal and professional growth. If you're passionate about making a difference, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive Health, Dental, Vision benefits

Automatic enrolment into OMERS pension plan

Accrue Vacation starting at 3 weeks per annum

3 Paid personal days and floating holidays

Flexible hours for wellness

Annual performance review and merit increases

Supportive leadership and culture of respect

Access to tuition reimbursement and development resources

Qualifications

• Experience in community outreach and engagement in health or social services.
• Minimum of 1 year as a harm reduction support worker or similar role.

Responsibilities

• Deliver harm reduction services and provide overdose prevention training.
• Engage with vulnerable populations through stigma-free outreach.

Skills

Harm reduction principles

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Cultural humility

Time management

Knowledge of community outreach

Education

Post-secondary education in health or social services

CPR certification

Nonviolent crisis intervention certification

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

NEO database

Job description

Job Description

Community Development Worker, Harm Reduction

Health Services – Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention

Status: 1 Contract Full Time (13 months)

Salary Range: $73,849 - $92,313 per year (plus comprehensive benefits, where applicable)

Work Mode: Onsite

Location: You will be working in the Peel Community and reporting into 7120 Hurontario Street, Mississauga

Hours of Work:35 hours per week - Monday to Friday with potential for occasional Saturdays. Days and evening availability required: 8:30AM - 4:30PM & 3:30PM - 11:30PM

Be part of something bigger. Inspire change. Empower community health.

At Peel Region, we don’t just work—we care, we collaborate, and we lead change. Our Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention team is growing, and we’re looking for passionate, community-minded individuals to join our Harm Reduction team. If you thrive on outreach work, meaningful connection, and equity-focused public health, this role is for you.

What you’ll do:

• Deliver harm reduction services including education, referrals, support, and distribution of supplies such as safer injection/inhalation/piercing equipment and naloxone kits

• Provide overdose prevention and response training to clients and community members

• Serve clients across Peel Region via the Peel Works Harm Reduction mobile van during both day and evening shifts

• Engage with vulnerable and underserved populations through respectful, stigma-free outreach

• Build and maintain partnerships with local organizations to enhance harm reduction service delivery

• Support community mobilization efforts by providing expertise and promoting harm reduction best practices

• Conduct community education sessions on harm reduction, substance use stigma, and overdose response

• Stock and organize mobile van supplies in collaboration with team members to meet service delivery needs

Education & Experience:

• Post-secondary education in health, social services, or a related field with a strong emphasis on community outreach and engagement

• Minimum of 1 year of experience working as a harm reduction support worker, community development worker, or similar role

• Recent experience in public health or harm reduction service delivery is required

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

• Valid CPR certification

• Certification or experience in nonviolent crisis intervention techniques

• A valid G class driver’s license and ability to drive the Peel Works Harm Reduction mobile vans

Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of harm reduction principles and best practices related to substance use

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage respectfully with people who use drugs and other marginalized populations

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural humility

• Effective communication and presentation skills, both written and oral

• Strong organizational, time management, and assessment skills

• Awareness of issues impacting Peel’s diverse communities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and experience using the NEO database or similar systems

Why Peel?

Peel Region is one of Ontario’s most vibrant and fast-growing municipalities, rich in cultural diversity and community innovation. Here, your work will have real impact—fostering health equity, reducing stigma, and saving lives. Join a team where compassion meets action.

Perks @ Peel and why you will love working for us:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, Vision benefit plan including psychological health, effective start date
• Automatic enrolment into OMERS pension plan (where applicable)
• Accrue Vacation on a monthly basis (where applicable) starting at 3 weeks per annum
• 3 Paid personal days and floating holidays
• Flexible hours supporting your wellness and wellbeing
• Annual performance review and merit increases based on performance (where applicable)
• Supportive leadership and a culture of respect and inclusion
• Access to tuition reimbursement (where applicable) and learning and development resources

Be bold. Think big. Join us.

Interview:Ourrecruitmentprocesswill include video conference technology

Kindly ensure to regularly monitor your spam and junk email folders, as important communications regarding your application may be directed there.

Ready to drive change in the community? Apply on-line today and be part of a bold vision for public health.

About Us

Peel Region consists of the cities of Brampton and Mississauga, and the town of Caledon. Peel Region delivers essential services to more than 1.5 million residents and approximately 200,000 businesses.

We’re working to create a community that is safe, inclusive, and accessible. A place where everyone feels they belong and can access the services they need to thrive throughout each stage of life.

Our workforce is 6,700 strong and since 1974, we’ve been delivering a wide range of resident focused services. Our services include paramedic services, health programs, long-term care and services for seniors, child care support, garbage collection and recycling, waste water and water treatment, road maintenance, financial assistance, and housing support.

Recognized by Canada's Healthy Workplace Month with the Great Employer Award presented by Excellence Canada, Peel Region is a place where everyone feels they belong. We strive to develop a workplace that values and respects diversity, practices inclusion, recognizes the unique contributions and abilities of all people and facilitates innovative thinking. At Peel Region, people come first. Each employee has an important role within our community and when we work together, it’s impactful. We encourage you to join us in delivering essential services and programs to our diverse community. You won't find a better opportunity than Peel Region.

Additional Information

Peel Region is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is respected and valued for their contributions, and where everyone is treated fairly and has opportunity to grow and develop. As one of the most diverse regions in Canada, we are committed to establishing a qualified workforce that is reflective of the population we serve.Peel Region is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process, upon request. If you require accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Accessible formats and communication supports are available. Please [e-mail]

Please be advised, Peel Region uses email to communicate with applicants for open job competitions and does not use AI technology in any part of the recruitment process. It is the applicant’s responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time sensitive correspondence via email (i.e., testing bookings, interview dates), it is imperative that applicants check their email regularly. If we do not hear back from applicants, we will assume that you are no longer interested in the position and your application will be removed from the competition.