Peer Support Specialist - Flexible Support

Yorklink; Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization dedicated to mental health support is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to provide individualized support and facilitate access to resources. The role involves community engagement, group facilitation, and collaboration with clients to promote recovery and independence. Candidates should have relevant education, experience in mental health, and strong communication skills. This is a full-time position with a commitment to employee well-being and professional development.

Benefits

HOOPP (Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan)

Robust Performance and Career Development Program

Qualifications

• Four years or more experience in the mental health system.
• Personal experience in mental health and/or addiction recovery.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized support to help clients integrate into the community.
• Run groups in congregate settings and provide one-on-one support.

Skills

Communication

Problem-Solving

Decision-Making

Emotional Regulation

Education

Degree or Diploma in Health or Social Services

Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) Certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Job description

We are a team committed to our vision of mental health support for all. We offer an inclusive, innovative and high-performance work culture that helps us deliver transformational impact. The organization cares about the growth, safety and well-being of employees and offers :

HOOPP (Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan)

• Robust Performance and Career Development program

Learn more about us by visiting : https : / / cmha-yr.on.ca / careers /

Position : Permanent, Full-time, working 35 hours per week. Evening and weekends may be required.

Salary : $56,444 per annum

Closing Date : May 30, 2025

Location : The Individual is expected the work out in the community as well as in Aurora office ( located at 15150 Yonge Street ). Staff will be traveling to different Group home locations or clients to deliver in person services. Will be required travel within York Region & South Simcoe for training or meetings.

Job Profile :

The Peer Support Specialist collaborates with consumers to provide individualized and flexible support to help engage and integrate them into the community and help to facilitate access to resources and supports to maximize independence and potential and promote recovery. This individual will be running groups in congregate settings and will be providing one-on-one, short-term support where required. They will make referrals to CMHA programs or community agencies based on client's needs. Peer Support Specialists have gone through a process of recovery and have obtained peer support related training to assist others with mental health challenges to identify and achieve life goals as part of their own recovery. In collaboration with the team, the Peer Support Specialist uses empowerment and recovery-oriented approaches with individuals and groups to help combat stigma, raise self-esteem and mastery, improve self-concept, and instill hope.

In addition to compliance with all organizational policies and procedures, the incumbent is also expected to behave ethically, demonstrate competence in effective communication and team building, demonstrate effectiveness in working in a collaborative environment, and demonstrate confidence in decision-making and in building relationships.

Requirements :

• A degree or diploma in the health or social services, or a related discipline.
• Four years or more experience of the mental health system
• Personal experience in mental health and / or addiction recovery.
• Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) certificate.
• Group facilitation experience in congregate settings preferred.
• Ability to observe boundaries, engage in appropriate emotional regulation, refrain from dual relationships with consumers, maintain confidentiality, and engage in reasonable self-care strategies designed to reduce stress by balancing work / life responsibilities
• Ability to prioritize needs and organize work efficiently
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• A second language (Cantonese, Farsi, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, Tamil, Urdu) reflecting the local community is considered an asset
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Proficiency with various forms of presentation media
• Competence in relevant computer applications particularly Microsoft Office and Outlook
• Knowledge of the Ontario Mental Health Act, mental health reform principles, the Substitute Decisions Act, the Health Care Consent Act and PHIPA requirements
• Ability to apply Recovery principles and empowerment-oriented philosophies and practices in work with clients
• A valid Canadian driver’s license, a minimum $1,000,000 third party liability insurance
• A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening or Police Check

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an individual assigned to the job. This information is not constructed to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in the job.

This position reports to, and is supervised by Manager, People & Teams.

Working Conditions :

• May work extensively at a desk using a computer up to 7 hours a day.
• Works in the community and in clients’ homes. Transporting the clients may needed.
• Extensive travel within York Region and South Simcoe.
• Works in a standard office environment, generally in a shared office setting.

Weekend and evening hours may be required.

Disclaimer : In keeping with mental health reform, best practices, funding, and direction, this position may later require knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions not noted here.

To request this posting in an alternate format or to request an accommodation in the application process, email [e-mail].

Application Procedure : If you are interested in this opportunity, please visit https : / / cmha-yr.on.ca / careers / and search for Peer Support Specialist, click on the “Apply Now” button, and proceed to upload your cover letter and resume.

Complete the application form and submit the following :

• Cover letter with 300 words or less which tells us why you want the role and why you should be considered for this position. (PDF or Word document)
• Resume (PDF or Word document) (applications received without a Resume attached will not be considered).

CMHA-YRSS is dedicated to promoting employment equity and dismantling obstacles to employment for marginalized communities. CMHA-YRSS supports the journey to mental wellness, and we welcome applicants with lived experience of mental illness. In acknowledgment of the systemic underrepresentation faced by Black, Indigenous, racialized peoples, and those living with disabilities, this opportunity has been developed based on the special program provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code3. We therefore extend invitations for applications from the following groups :

• Racialized Persons
• Persons living with Disabilities

While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.