Outreach Worker (Contract)

Canadian Mental Health Association, Peel; Canada; Hybrid; CAD 62,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-based mental health organization in Canada is seeking an Outreach Worker to support individuals experiencing homelessness. The role involves building client relationships, aiding in securing housing, and performing community visits. Candidates should have a relevant post-secondary education, at least 3 years of experience in community settings, and strong interpersonal skills. This is a full-time contract position with a salary range of $62,451.01 to $72,001.19 annually, along with unique benefits like professional development funding and a pension plan.

Benefits

2 weeks accrued vacation + 1 flexible day

Up to 18 sick days accrued per year

HOOPP Pension Plan

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting those experiencing homelessness in a community setting.
• Experience working in outreach settings with understanding of evidence informed practices.
• Valid Canadian driver’s license and access to an insured automobile.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals under the Housing First philosophy.
• Build client capacity and create self-reliance.
• Aid with securing appropriate affordable housing.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Fluency in a second language (ASL considered an asset)

Understanding of diverse cultures

Education

Post-secondary degree or diploma in relevant discipline (e.g. BSW, MSW, OT, RN)

Job description

Why join CMHA Peel Dufferin?

Support your community. Advance your career. Fulfill your purpose.

Joining the Canadian Mental Health Association – Peel Dufferin Branch means you’ll be part of something meaningful. For starters, we’re honored to have received the Canadian Non-Profit Employer of Choice Award for our efforts to help people live better. Providing support and services to those who live with mental illness and addictions, we’re committed to increasing awareness and addressing the stigma surrounding mental health. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to create a diverse organization that represents the communities we serve – and the people we help.

What We Offer

As a community-based agency, we’re dedicated to the mental, physical, and social health of everyone – including our team members. That’s why we’re proud to offer a total rewards package that helps our team members balance their professional and home life. You’ll also be empowered to keep learning new skills and reaching your goals – from developing a career growth plan to participating in training sessions.

In addition to competitive benefits like Employee Family Assistance Plan and optional extended health and dental benefits, we offer our team members some unique perks that really stand out:

• 2 weeks accrued vacation + 1 flexible day each year
• Up to 18 sick days accrued per year
• HOOPP Pension Plan
• Ongoing professional development plus $250 (pro-rated) annual funding for continuing education and certifications
• $350 (pro-rated) annual allowance to invest in achieving your personal wellness goals
• Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel
• Eligibility for contract completion incentive

We are looking for an Outreach Worker to join our team!

As part of the Outreach team, the Outreach Worker will support individuals in accordance with the Housing First philosophy of immediate access to permanent housing with no readiness requirements, consumer choice and self-determination, recovery orientation, individualized and client driven supports, and social/community integration.

Reporting to the Program Manager, Outreach Services, our Outreach Team provides services to the homeless population in Peel Region, in particular, identifying people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and engaging them in services that support their challenges with mental illness or mental health and substance use.

Status: Contract full-time until June 2026; 12 hour rotating shifts with the requirement of working weekends and holidays.
Salary: $62,451.01 - $72,001.19 annually. (Candidate qualifications will be considered when determining the starting salary).
Location: This position is based out of our 60 West Drive, Brampton Ontario office. Although we operate within a hybrid workplace model, staff are required to have on-site and/or community presence as per program and client needs.
Note, this posting is for an active vacancy.

What You Will Do

• Build client capacity, empowerment and create self-reliance
• Develop and initiate relationships with prospective clients based on trust, respect, and honesty
• Aid with securing/matching appropriate affordable housing for those who are homeless or at risk in the Region of Peel
• Support the transition of persons into housing utilizing a Critical Time Intervention Approach to Housing-Based Street Outreach. Set short and long-term goals with persons involved and create and document support plans to reach those goals. Make additional referrals as appropriate.
• Complete initial intake assessments and discharge assessments at the appropriate date(s) and other documentation as required.
• Conduct Case Conferencing with support system of persons involved in the program.
• Maintain professional relationships with referral sources and other service providers.
• Make minimum of one weekly community/home visit with unsheltered or those at risk of homelessness to offer support, connect to resources, etc.
• Advocate with participants as required (i.e. Landlord relations, EIA, Residential Tenancy Board)
• As appropriate, work with Region of Peel Housing Stability Workers to support life skills teaching to help build Client capacity to maintain housing, especially focusing on tenancy skills and knowledge
• Maintain appropriate record-keeping/documentation and client files, statistical and outcome measurement tools as required by CMHA/Peel policies and procedures.
• Provide input into ongoing policy, service enhancement, and program evaluation
• Provide and consult with management team on weekly plans, schedules, and reports
• Support the overall operation of the Street Outreach and Street Helpline responses.

This posting description indicates the key responsibilities and core functions of the position. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities.

What You Need to Join Our Team

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in relevant discipline(e.g. BSW, MSW, OT, RN)
• Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting those experiencing homelessness in a community setting
• Experience working in an outreach setting with strong, demonstrated understanding of Outreach evidence informed practices is an asset
• Previous case management experience is preferred
• A personal experience with mental health, addiction and/or homelessness and established recovery, as well as a willingness to share experience is an asset
• The following experience / trainings are an asset with an expectation to attend trainings as they become available:
  • Housing First
  • Harm Reduction
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Assertive Engagement
  • Indigenous Cultural Safety
  • Non-violent Crisis Intervention
  • ASIST
  • CPR and First Aid
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to approach, listen, build trust, and communicate across diverse cultures and intersectionality. Willingness to continually improve understanding around cultural competence.

• Openness to operate from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, 2SLGBTQ+ affirming and intersectional framework.
• Willingness to learn and apply practical understanding of different elements of diversity, such as gender identity/expression, race/cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, disability, immigration and precarious status, family status, etc.

• Fluency in a second language, including ASL (American Sign Language) is considered an asset.

• Valid Canadian driver’s license and access to an insured automobile in good repair and ability to travel within and around Peel Region and Dufferin County.
• A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening (Police Check) report.

Deadline to Apply: January 6, 2026 by 5:00pm.

At the Canadian Mental Health Association – Peel Dufferin Branch, we provide a wide array of community services, resources, and care for people with mental illness. In your role, you’ll not only assist people who are struggling, you’ll help them return to good health and reintegrate into the community. In everything we do, we work together to make the world a better place – one person at a time.

Apply Now and EMPOWER your career!

CMHA Peel Dufferin strives to be an equitable employer. We are committed to supporting inclusive recruitment and selection processes, work environments and a qualified workforce reflective of the diverse populations we serve. We acknowledge that removing existing barriers and preventing new barriers is required to foster dignity and independence for people of all ages, genders, cultures, and abilities. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including but not limited to, First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Urban Indigenous (FNIMUI) populations, ethno-racial communities, people with disabilities, *2SLGBTQIA+ communities, women and gender diverse people, low-income communities, and all equity-deserving groups.

*2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and a range of gender and sexual diversity categories not listed).

Accessibility Statement

When contacted by CMHA Peel Dufferin for a career opportunity, please advise the People and Culture Department of any accommodation needs that may make your experience through the recruitment process more comfortable. We are committed to working with you to meet these needs by providing reasonable accommodations, ensuring you have access to a fair and equitable process. We are continuously working to improve our accessibility practices and welcome any feedback or suggestions on how we can better accommodate candidates with accessibility needs. Should you have feedback, please email us at [e-mail].

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Recruitment

To streamline our recruitment process, we utilize an applicant tracking system (ATS) to manage and organize applications. While the ATS aids in efficiency, the essential review and evaluation of candidates is carried out by members of our People and Culture team. This approach ensures a personalized assessment that allows us to gain a comprehensive view of a candidate’s experience, skills and potential. AI is not used to make any decisions in our recruitment process.

Next Steps

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. We retain all applications submitted for one (1) year after the closing date of the posting for consideration in future career opportunities.