Peer Support Worker - Alberta

Open Door Group; Red Deer; Hybrid; CAD 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Open Door Group is seeking a dedicated Peer Support Worker in Red Deer to provide practical, emotional, and social support during mobile outreach across the community. The role requires building trust and using lived experience to assist participants in achieving stability, employment readiness, and independence.

The position involves outreach throughout Red Deer and occasional work from the office, with travel within the community.

Qualifications

• Peer support worker certification and relevant CPR/First Aid/Naloxone training are required or preferred.
• Experience with trauma-informed and motivational interviewing practices is a plus.
• Ability to build trust and provide outreach in community settings is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical, emotional, and social support to participants in community outreach.
• Work with Case Managers to build engagement and support individualized goals.
• Help participants access resources, prepare for appointments, and navigate services.
• Support group activities and workshops as needed.

Skills

Peer support

Crisis intervention

Interagency collaboration

Harm reduction

Documentation tools

Time management

Education

Peer Support Worker Certification

CPR and First Aid

Naloxone training

Criminal Record Check

ASIST/Suicide Intervention

Mental Health First Aid

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic documentation systems

Job description

Open Door Group (ODG), a mission-driven non-profit organization serving communities in Alberta and BC, is looking for a Peer Support Worker to join our team in Red Deer, Alberta!

Wage:$25.79 to $27.51 per hour

Status: Full-Time, Permanent

Hours of Work: 36 hours per week

Schedule: This position requires flexibility in scheduling. Employees are expected to provide availability to work evenings or weekends as needed to best meet the needs of participants.

Location: The primary work location for this position will be community outreach throughout Red Deer, with the employee working from a home office when appropriate. The secondary work location is the Open Door Group office at 4728 Ross Street, Red Deer, Alberta. This role requires regular travel within the community as part of a mobile outreach model. A valid driver's license and reliable vehicle are assets.

About the GROW Program

Open Door Group's GROW Program supports individuals in Red Deer who experience chronic unemployment and are at high risk of homelessness. The program recognizes the intersecting barriers participants may face, including housing and income insecurity, mental health and substance use challenges, systemic barriers, and limited community supports. GROW provides flexible, client-centered services tailored to each participant's circumstances, strengths, and goals.

Through a mobile outreach approach, GROW builds trust by meeting individuals where they are in the community and providing culturally safe, low-barrier ways to access support. Through sustained one-on-one support, wraparound case management, and flexible stages of service, the program helps participants navigate setbacks, strengthen stability, and move toward meaningful employment and greater independence.

The Peer Support Worker plays a vital role in advancing the goals of the GROW Program. This position provides practical, emotional, and social support to participants experiencing complex and intersecting barriers. Working collaboratively with Case Managers, the Peer Support Worker uses lived or living experience intentionally and ethically to build trust, strengthen engagement, and support participants in achieving individualized goals related to life stability, employment readiness, and independence.

This may include helping participants access community resources and services, prepare for appointments, develop daily living and wellness strategies, participate in groups or workshops, and navigate challenges that affect their progress toward employment.

Please see the full job description for a detailed description of the responsibilities included in this position. Full posting and job description are available at: Careers at Open Door Group

Why Open Door Group?

Champion of Great Workplaces: ODG is recognized as one of Canada's Certified Great Places to Work. We foster a culture of compassion and authenticity. Join a team that values your contribution and believes in the potential of every individual.

Competitive Compensation and Benefits: As a Certified Living Wage Employer, ODG offers a comprehensive 100 percent employer-paid benefits package and an RRSP matching program. We also provide an Employee and Family Assistance Program. Our professional development fund supports courses, workshops, and certifications to help you grow your career.

Community Impact: Be part of an organization that provides tailored employment services to build strong workforce ecosystems and thriving communities. Your work will directly contribute to the social and economic well-being of the community.

What You Bring to the Position

Education and Certification

• Peer Support Worker Certification
• CPR and First Aid certification
• Naloxone training
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector Check
• ASIST Suicide Intervention certification, or willingness to obtain
• Mental Health First Aid, or willingness to obtain
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training, or willingness to obtain

Experience

• Minimum one year of recent, related experience supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges, substance use, housing instability, chronic unemployment, or other complex barriers
• Demonstrated lived or living experience with mental health recovery, substance use recovery, homelessness, housing transitions, or other relevant barriers
• Ability to use lived or living experience intentionally, appropriately, and within professional boundaries in a peer role
• Experience facilitating groups or workshops is considered an asset
• Training or experience in trauma-informed and motivational interviewing practices is considered an asset
• Experience providing outreach or low-barrier community-based support is considered an asset

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of harm reduction and psychosocial rehabilitation principles
• Knowledge of current social issues related to homelessness, housing and income insecurity, mental health, substance use, and barriers to employment
• Understanding of Disability, Equity, and Inclusion principles and relevant human rights legislation
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources and service systems
• Strong crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to respond effectively and safely during crisis or high-pressure situations
• Strong ethical and personal boundaries and the ability to use lived or living experience appropriately within a peer support role
• Ability to build trusting, respectful relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and with complex needs
• Ability to observe, recognize, and respond appropriately to changes in participant presentation
• Ability to promote positive change, independence, and participant self-direction
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, including the ability to develop positive relationships with community service providers and other stakeholders
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems, or the ability to learn new systems quickly
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple responsibilities, and maintain accurate participant records
• Ability to take initiative, solve problems, and adapt to change
• Ability to work independently in outreach settings and collaboratively as part of a team
• Class 5 Driver's License and access to a reliable personal vehicle is considered an asset

Work Environment and Schedule Requirements

• Work is primarily conducted through community outreach throughout Red Deer, with additional work completed from a home office and Open Door Group's Red Deer office
• This role involves both independent outreach work and collaboration within a team environment
• Regular travel within the community is required to meet participants where they are and provide accessible, low-barrier services
• Work may occasionally involve high-acuity or crisis situations
• The position may involve walking, standing, outdoor outreach work, and travel within the community
• Schedule flexibility is required, including availability to work evenings or weekends as needed to meet participant needs

Open Door Group values diversity and is committed to providing an inclusive work environment. We are looking for qualified individuals who represent, at all job levels, the diversity of the people we serve. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, people of all genders and sexual orientations, racialized individuals, people with disabilities, individuals of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, ages, and faith traditions.

We strive to ensure an accessible experience for candidates. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us toll-free at 1-866-377-3670 and ask to speak with an HR representative, or email us at [e-mail].

If you join our team and require workplace accommodations or supports to be successful in your role, we encourage you to let us know as early as you feel comfortable. We will make every reasonable effort to ensure appropriate supports are in place when you begin, and all requests will be handled respectfully, confidentially, and in accordance with applicable legislation.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest in joining the Open Door Group team!