Peer Support Worker

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) - Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP Pension Plan

Group Health Insurance

Disability Insurance

Annual Professional DevelopmentFunding

Job summary

CMHA Toronto invites applications for a Peer Support Worker on the Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Team. You will provide recovery-focused peer support and advocacy to adults living with serious mental illness, drawing on lived experience to foster hope, resilience, and community connections.

Reporting to the FACT team, you will collaborate with clients, families and community partners to promote recovery, wellness and meaningful participation in the community, while maintaining

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Social Services, Human Services, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in community mental health, addictions, peer support, or a related human services setting.
• Demonstrated lived experience of mental health and/or substance use recovery and the ability to use lived experience professionally to support others.
• Experience facilitating groups, workshops, or community-based programs.
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented practice, peer support principles, and trauma-and-violence-informed approaches.
• Knowledge of community mental health, addiction services, social services, and community resources.
• Strong communication, engagement, relationship-building, advocacy, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team and effectively engage diverse communities.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification and ability to travel within the community as required.
• Valid Ontario Driver's Licence and access to a reliable vehicle for community-based service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with clients through the intentional and appropriate use of lived experience.
• Provide one-to-one and group-based peer support that promotes recovery, hope, resilience, and self-determination.
• Support clients in identifying strengths, developing recovery goals, and creating personalized wellness plans.
• Facilitate recovery-focused, recreational, educational, and community integration activities.
• Assist clients in accessing community resources, peer networks, social supports, and mental health services.
• Support clients in building practical life skills, wellness strategies, and social connections.
• Advocate for client choice, inclusion, and recovery-oriented practices within service delivery.
• Collaborate with clients, families, caregivers, community partners, and FACT team members to support recovery goals.
• Recognize and communicate concerns regarding client wellness, safety, and emerging crisis situations to the interdisciplinary team.
• Maintain accurate documentation and participate in team meetings, quality improvement initiatives, and professional development activities.

Skills

Communication

Lived experience

Facilitation

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Social Services degree

Human Services diploma

Job description

Peer Support Worker – Flexible Assertive Community Treatment Team ( Full Time Permanent )

The Role and Opportunity

CMHA Toronto is seeking a Peer Support Worker to join our Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Team. As a member of an interdisciplinary team, the Peer Support Worker provides recovery-focused peer support and advocacy services to adults living with serious and persistent mental illness and concurrent disorders.

Drawing on lived experience and recovery expertise, the Peer Support Worker supports individuals in building hope, resilience, self-advocacy, and community connections. The role works collaboratively with clients, families, community partners, and FACT team members to promote recovery, wellness, and meaningful participation in community life.

Location: 700 Lawrence Ave. W, and in the community

Hiring Salary Range : $54,943 - $60,203

Hours of Work: 35 per week

About CMHA Toronto

CMHA Toronto is the city’s leading community mental health agency. We provide accessible, quality care for Toronto residents through programs, research and advocacy that create belonging and hope. At CMHA Toronto, we take a person-centred, trauma-and-violence-informed, and recovery-oriented approach to supporting people and their families when they experience mental health challenges or live with mental illness. By integrating health and social care, we provide services that aid in long-term wellness including housing, employment, community connections and so much more. Our goal? Help everyone thrive in the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with clients through the intentional and appropriate use of lived experience.
• Provide one-to-one and group-based peer support that promotes recovery, hope, resilience, and self-determination.
• Support clients in identifying strengths, developing recovery goals, and creating personalized wellness plans.
• Facilitate recovery-focused, recreational, educational, and community integration activities.
• Assist clients in accessing community resources, peer networks, social supports, and mental health services.
• Support clients in building practical life skills, wellness strategies, and social connections.
• Advocate for client choice, inclusion, and recovery-oriented practices within service delivery.
• Collaborate with clients, families, caregivers, community partners, and FACT team members to support recovery goals.
• Recognize and communicate concerns regarding client wellness, safety, and emerging crisis situations to the interdisciplinary team.
• Maintain accurate documentation and participate in team meetings, quality improvement initiatives, and professional development activities.

Experience & Education Required

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Social Services, Human Services, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in community mental health, addictions, peer support, or a related human services setting.
• Demonstrated lived experience of mental health and/or substance use recovery and the ability to use lived experience professionally to support others.
• Experience facilitating groups, workshops, or community-based programs.
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented practice, peer support principles, and trauma-and-violence-informed approaches.
• Knowledge of community mental health, addiction services, social services, and community resources.
• Strong communication, engagement, relationship-building, advocacy, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team and effectively engage diverse communities.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification and ability to travel within the community as required.
• Valid Ontario Driver's Licence and access to a reliable vehicle for community-based service delivery.

Why Choose CMHA Toronto?

If you care about mental illness and mental health and you have the right skills, then CMHA Toronto may be the place for you. We have a positive and fair workplace culture, where staff are provided with opportunities for learning and advancement.

Our benefits include:

• Health Care of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), a predictable, secure monthly income upon retirement
• Comprehensive Group Health Insurance – Health, Dental, Vision, Paramedicals
• Short-term and Long-term Disability programs and life insurance to protect your income upon illness or injury
• Work-life balance and flexibility – to ensure you have time for the things that matter to you
• Annual Professional Development Funding for career learning and advancement
• Work with like-minded, passionate individuals and make an impact on mental health service delivery
• Build genuine and authentic connections, with colleagues and clients, with the goal of making a difference

CMHA Toronto is an award-winning workplace committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, empathy, and accountability. Our staff value the flexibility in work schedules, the emphasis on work-life balance, and the organization’s commitment to continuous learning through training and development opportunities. Many employees highlight the strong sense of community and support that make CMHA Toronto feel like more than just a workplace.

As an equity-informed employer, CMHA Toronto reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We encourage applications from equity-deserving candidates, including Black, Indigenous, and racialised individuals, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and women. We recognise and honour the intersectionality of equity-based identities. Personal experience with mental health challenges, whether firsthand or through a loved one, is considered an asset. If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please inform us before the interview if you require an accommodation.

To be eligible for this role candidates will be required to adhere to our COVID-19 policy and provide proof of vaccination.

Important Disclosure:

We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, and select applicants at any stage of the hiring process.

This posting is for a new vacancy.

CMHA Toronto thanks all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.