Peer Support Worker - MHJS/HASP

Canadian Mental Health Association, Peel; Brampton; Hybrid; CAD 61,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in mental health services is seeking a dedicated Peer Support Worker to join their team. This role focuses on supporting individuals reintegrating into the community after incarceration, utilizing personal lived experiences to inspire hope and recovery. The organization is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous vacation time and professional development opportunities. If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of others and possess the necessary skills and experience, this is the perfect opportunity to advance your career while supporting your community.

Benefits

4 weeks accrued vacation

Up to 18 paid sick days

HOOPP Pension Plan

Ongoing professional development funding

$350 annual wellness allowance

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience working with vulnerable populations.
• Completion of Wellness Recovery Action Plan Level II training is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Establish supportive relationships with clients involved with Release from Custody Services.
• Provide ongoing supportive counselling and life skills coaching.

Skills

Lived experience with mental health system

Interpersonal skills

Case management

Knowledge of community services

Fluency in a second language

Education

College diploma or University Degree in human services

Peer Support Recovery Education Program

Tools

MS Office

Client Record Management Systems

Job description

Why join CMHA Peel Dufferin?

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

Joiningthe 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:

• 4 weeks accrued vacation
• Up to 18 paid sick days accrued per year, plus 2 flexible days each year
• HOOPP Pension Plan
• Ongoing professional development plus $250 annual funding for continuing education and certifications
• $350 annual allowance to invest in achieving your personal wellness goals
• Participation in organizational pay for performance incentive program
  

We are looking for a full-time permanent Peer Support Worker to join our team!

ThePeer Support Workerwill support both the Mental Health and Justice Services (MHJS) and Housing and Support Programs (HASP). This role will assist in the reintegration of recently released individuals from custody into their home community or community of choice. Peer Support acknowledges the value of personal lived experience as a demonstration of hope, recovery and ongoing personal growth and transformation.

Status: Permanent full-time, 37.5 hours per week (some evening hours may be required); Note, this posting is for an active vacancy.
Salary: $61,201.01 - 72,001.19 annually. (Candidate qualifications will be considered when determining the starting salary)
Location:This position is based out of 314-7700 Hurontario St., Brampton.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.

What You Will Do:

• Establish supportive relationships with a case load of clients and their support systems who are involved with the Release from Custody Services and the Housing program
• Provide release from custody planning and support to individuals incarcerated at a correctional institution or in custody in court and being released into the Peel region
• In collaboration with institutional staff, court personnel to develop supportive discharge planning services and communicate the release plan to service providers in the clients’ community
• Meet with clients in the community or their homes on a short term basis (6 – 12 months)
• Explain to the client the Peer Support Worker’s role as it relates to the larger MHJS/HASP program; use lived experiences and perspectives to support and promote mental health recovery
• Orient the person to recovery and talk about ways to support recovery; by disclosing personal lived experience, inspire hope, resiliency and personal responsibility. Invite, encourage, and support self-advocacy of clients in terms of their clinical relationships
• Develop and contribute to comprehensive assessments with clients and supports to identify client strengths and needs
• Make connections to other appropriate services by consulting, advocating and liaising with community resources and agencies
• Establish and implement Recovery Plans to guide the mutual work towards client recovery
• Provide on-going supportive counselling, life skills coaching, pre-employment coaching and appropriate referrals to enable clients to achieve their goals.
  
• Facilitate Wellness Action Recovery Plan (WRAP) and Pathways to Recovery groups and support peers to create WRAP and recovery plans for themselves.

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:

• College diploma or University Degree in a human services field
• Completion of a Peer Support Recovery Education Program is preferred
• Experience with the criminal justice system an asset
• Completion of Wellness Recovery Action Plan Level II training an asset
• Must have lived experience with the mental health system
• 3 years or more experience working with vulnerable populations
• Experience with case management in a community setting essential
• Demonstrated knowledge of serious mental illness, concurrent disorders and/or dual diagnosis is required.
• Knowledge of Critical Time Intervention (CTI) is an asset
• Comprehensive knowledge of Recovery Principles
• Knowledge of community services and supports in Region of Peel
• Proficient computer skills including MS Office, Outlook, Client Record Management Systems, OCAN.
  
• Fluency in a second language, including ASL (American Sign Language) is considered an asset.
• 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.
• 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.
• Openness to operate from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, 2SLGBTQ+ affirming and intersectional framework.
  
• Valid Canadian driver’s license and access to an insured automobile in good repair
• A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening (Police Check) report

Deadline to Apply: Friday, May 16th, 2025 by 5 PM.

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, Métis, Inuit 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.