Community Support Counsellor - YM - Cleghorn

SJH St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 57,000; Part time

Job summary

The Community Support Counsellor—Youth Mentor at SJH St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton supports youth in care goals and community reintegration, working with an interdisciplinary early intervention team.

This temporary part-time role emphasizes peer support, advocacy, and connecting clients to resources as part of a youth-focused program. Candidates should have relevant education and 1+ year of youth-focused peer support, plus strong communication and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Relevant education in social services or health-related field required.
• Certification as a Peer Supporter or completion within first two years of employment.
• Minimum one year youth-centered peer support experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care to clients in the community with interdisciplinary team.
• Introduce the program to clients and complete standardized assessments.
• Support recovery goals and engagement with care plans.
• Develop and coordinate peer mentor program and client advisory committee.
• Participate in program meetings and contribute to education.

Skills

Peer support

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Independence

Education

Psychosocial Rehabilitation Certificate / Social Service Worker Diploma / health-related degree

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Windows

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Position Details Job Number: JR02612 Department: Cleghorn Program Hamilton This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites: West 5th Campus (Hamilton Mountain) Job Type: Temporary (Fixed Term), Part time Contract Duration: (If applicable) 18 months Number of Positions: 1 Union: OPSEU Local 206 Hourly Rate (Min / Max): $36.57 - $41.61 Schedule Work Days: Monday to Friday Time of Day: Days Shift: Hours - 8 Shift Start: (If applicable) Reason for Posting: Posting is for a role with an existing vacancy Application Dates Opening Date: 2026-11-03 Closing Date: 2026-11-10

Position Summary

The Community Support Counsellor--Youth Mentor works directly with program clients to support their goal achievement through meaningful engagement in care and reintegration into the community. The Community Support Counsellor—Youth Mentor works collaboratively with the members of the interdisciplinary early intervention in psychosis team to provide support and advocate for the voice of young people with the lived experience of mental illness and addictions both internal and external to SJHH.

Qualifications

• Relevant education (e.g. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Certificate Social Service Worker Diploma or a degree or diploma in a social-services or health-related field) is required
• Certification as a Peer Supporter with Peer Support Accreditation Certification Canada or completion of Certification within first two years of employment
• Minimum one year experience providing youth centered peer support in a youth focused mental health and/or addiction setting
• Lived experience with the mental health and addiction system that reflects common circumstances faced by young people receiving treatment for and recovering from early psychosis.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working in a community based setting with young people experiencing serious mental health problems required
• Knowledge and ability to apply the core values and principles of youth focused peer support practice including but not limited to hope and recovery self determination empathetic and mutual relationships dignity respect social inclusion health and wellness and personal growth
• Knowledge and experience with connecting clients to community resources that support established care plans
• Knowledge of the unique developmental issues of adolescent/young adult clients and their families
• Demonstrated ability to role model strong self-care and self management strategies in recognition of the need for health personal growth and resiliency in youth focused peer support work
• Knowledge and experience working with clients with substance use issues
• Knowledge and experience in early intervention in psychosis is an asset
• Experience facilitating groups would be an asset
• Strong interpersonal problem-solving organizational and written skills
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to model advocacy skills and coach clients to acquire these skills
• Ability to work in a collaborative partnership with clients and with the program’s interdisciplinary team
• Strong knowledge of and comfort using the public transportation system would be an asset
• Computer skills in Microsoft Outlook Windows Word Excel and PowerPoint would be an asset
• Current Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and First Aid/CPR Certification or willingness to become certified within six months

Responsibilities

• Providing direct care to clients primarily in the community in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team including:
• Introducing the program to clients
• Ensuring the completion of necessary standardized assessments
• Establishing a shared purpose of the recovery support relationship with individual clients based on the client’s goals and needs
• Support meaningful engagement and continuity in care with a particular focus for those clients with barriers to engagement
• Providing psychosocial support assistance and accompaniment – primarily in the community
• Assisting the interdisciplinary team with supporting client goals as defined through existing care plans
• Developing implementing and coordinating a peer mentor program that matches mentors with clients/families to engage in activities together that assist with recovery goals
• Developing implementing and coordinating a client advisory committee to support client voice in ongoing quality improvement
• Attending regular program meetings as required
• Supporting public education about early intervention in psychosis to facilitate access and early identification in care
• Participating in research and education as required

St. Joseph’s Health System (SJHS) and its member organizations are equal opportunity employers and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all programs, practices, facilities, and people. We foster a culture of patient and staff safety where all positions comply and work in conjunction with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

SJHS and its member organizations are committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process - please inform us should accommodation be required at any point in the recruitment process ([e-mail]).

At St. Joe’s Hamilton, we believe in nurturing new talent, providing an inclusive and supportive work environment with meaningful growth opportunities, and exciting benefits and rewards. Whether you're passionate about providing compassionate care or eager to gain new skills, there’s a place here for you to grow, learn, and succeed! Dignity. Respect. Service. Justice. Responsibility. Enquiry.