Peer Support Worker - Urban Response

Calgary Drop-In Centre (the DI); Calgary; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a compassionate Peer Support Worker to join their dynamic team. This role focuses on providing essential support to individuals facing homelessness and mental health challenges, utilizing a trauma-informed approach to assist clients in achieving their recovery goals. The Peer Support Worker will engage with clients, facilitate access to services, and work closely with a dedicated team to foster a supportive environment. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals and have personal experience to share, this opportunity offers a rewarding career path in a fulfilling and impactful field.

Benefits

Sick days

Wellness days

Extended Health & Dental coverage

Employer Matching RRSP Program

Life Insurance

Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage

Qualifications

• Personal experience with substance use disorder and/or homelessness required.
• Excellent communication and crisis intervention skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Support clients with mental health and addictions needs in Emergency Shelter.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams for client care.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Crisis intervention

Client engagement

Communication skills

Goal setting

Time management

Education

Grade 12 diploma

Peer Support program completion

Job description

Friday, April 4, 2025

About Us

At the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre (the DI), we are dedicated to serving our community with kindness. Our mission – to work with community to end homelessness, one person at a time – goes beyond providing immediate support; we strive to create an environment where individuals can regain their confidence and rebuild their lives.

We are more than an emergency shelter.

Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that everyone who walks through our doors feels welcomed, respected, and valued. What sets us apart is our holistic approach to support. We offer not only safe and comfortable accommodation and meals but also access to essential resources such as health and recovery services, and housing supports.

All of our programs, including emergency shelter, are low-barrier, trauma-informed, housing-focused, and recovery-oriented, aimed at supporting Calgary’s most vulnerable citizens. And our doors are always open.

Department: Health & Recovery Services Department

Job Category:

Reports To: Team Lead, Urban Response Programs

Position Type: Full Time (1.0 FTE)

Direct Reports: None

Schedule: 0800 – 1600 hours, Monday to Friday

Indirect Reports: None

Location: Main Building

Position Summary

Reporting to the Team Lead, Urban Response programs, the Peer Support Worker (PSW) works collaboratively with all Health & Recovery Services programs to support clients with their mental health and/or addictions needs while in Emergency Shelter.

The Peer Support Worker will work with a multidisciplinary team to support client intakes, discharge planning, completing assessments, treatment planning, case management, goal setting, connection to community, and building social and/or recovery capital. Employing a client-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive approach, the PSW will provide a range of interventions and services that work with clients towards achieving their goals.

Time Commitment

40 hours per rotation with 5 days on and 2 days off. Some unusual hours may be required from time to time as the need arises (i.e., weekend coverage, evening shift). Schedule may be altered at the discretion of management.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Utilize your own experiences for client engagement and to assist clients with accessing services and support.
• Apply principles of trauma-informed care in all interactions.
• Support with de-escalation and crisis intervention and emergency response, as directed.
• Support client triage, intake, assessments, and discharge processes.
• Work with clients toward individualized goal-setting and co-creating care plans, while assisting clients to build social and/or recovery capital.
• Work with clients to monitor progress, and adapt as needed so they may achieve their goals.
• Support with systems navigation (e.g., health benefits, income support).
• Provide resources and referrals to support ongoing care. Share knowledge of internal and external supports and services with clients and colleagues.
• Assist with special events and support external service providers within the Health Recovery Services department.
• Support with client transports to appointments or accompany individuals into the community as assigned by Team Lead.
• Complete documentation in a professional and timely manner including maintaining relevant logs and entries in the DI database.
• Participate in team meetings, multidisciplinary rounds, case conferences and ongoing professional development.
• Complete light cleaning and organizing duties within the program.

Required Competencies and Qualifications

• Personal experience with a substance use disorder and/or homelessness is required. Two or more years of personal recovery required.
• This position may include driving clients to and from appointments in the community and/or attending appointments within the city limits within regular working hours. A valid Class 5 Driver’s License and clean Driver’s Abstract considered an asset. Proof of each required (if applicable).
• Recent satisfactory Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check – dated within the last 6 months. Copies required.
• Grade 12 diploma an asset (equivalent experience in the human services field may be considered). Proof of completion required (if applicable).
• Completion of a recognized Peer Support program an asset (e.g., Canadian Mental Health Association’s School of Peer Support course).
• Two years related experience (volunteer or paid) an asset, preferably in a similar field of mental health, addictions and/or homelessness.
• Previous experience in a peer support role in a similar field of mental health, addictions and/or homelessness an asset.
• Ability to utilize own lived experience to support other individuals’ recovery journeys.
• Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent de-escalation and crisis intervention skills.
• Ability to maintain a high level of self-awareness and healthy boundaries.
• Experience working in distress and/or high-stress situations, which may include emergency response.
• Knowledge of community resources available throughout Calgary.
• Energetic and self-directed, with effective time management and organizational skills including the ability to deal with several priorities at the same time.
• Must demonstrate initiative and work autonomously.
• Must be acceptable of industry risks, including coming into contact with bodily fluids.
• A genuine commitment to the mission, vision, values, and work of the agency.

Working Conditions

The individuals we serve are experiencing homelessness or precarious housing and may also be facing substance use disorders and/or mental or physical health challenges. Many have a history of significant trauma. These experiences can influence their interactions with both staff and one another. By recognizing these behaviors as responses to past experiences, we are able to engage with our guests in a manner that is empathetic and respectful.

This role may involve high-stress situations that require resilience, compassion, and composure. At the DI we are deeply committed to the well-being of our staff, implementing policies and providing resources that support both physical and psychological safety, as well as mental health. We address the immediate challenges faced by our team to provide the highest level of support as well as the cumulative impacts of this vital work. By prioritizing staff well-being, we empower our team to provide the highest level of support to those in need, fostering a culture of care and understanding throughout our organization.

While the work is demanding and requires a strong commitment, those who are drawn to this field often find it to be one of the most impactful and rewarding careers they can pursue. It’s about making a difference– one person at a time.

Although the DI is a smoke-free work environment, there may be occasional exposure to secondhand smoke from designated smoking areas nearby.

Why the DI?

The DI aims to be an "Employer of Choice" and affords each employee an opportunity to help make a real difference in our community, and more importantly in the lives of those who rely on our services. We take great care in hiring the right people who fit, and who share our outlook on the value of people. We believe in living our values in every work we speak and in every action we take, and we want people who share this commitment.

Our Culture

Our values form the cornerstone of our culture:

RESPECT: Our actions honour the rights, differences, and dignity of others.
COMMUNITY: Through collaborative partnerships, we work together as a team, building inclusive communities.
KINDNESS: We accept each person’s uniqueness with compassion and empathy.
WELLNESS: We promote, provide and support holistic wellbeing.
ACCOUNTABILITY: We operate with transparency and integrity in both our relationships and our commitments.

What we Offer

Staff at the DI enjoy competitive compensation packages, including employer-paid benefits depending on role and employment type.

Some of the employer-paid group benefits include:

• Sick days
• Wellness days
• Extended Health & Dental coverage
• Employer Matching RRSP Program
• Homewood EFAP
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)

Employees will be enrolled in Long-Term Disability and Critical Illness insurance, paid for by the employee. This is mandatory and may not be opted out of.

Benefits are based on employment type and usually available on the 1st of the month following your start date. If you are successful in obtaining employment with the DI, Human Resources will discuss your eligibility for benefits with you.

Vulnerable Sector Check

A satisfactory vulnerable sector clearance is required prior to resumption at the DI.

Alberta Living Wage Employer

The DI is an Alberta Living Wage Employer. This means we are committed to paying our employees a living wage that allows them to meet their basic needs and participate in their communities. A living wage is different from minimum wage in that minimum wage is mandatory and the same throughout the province while a living wage reflects what people need to cover the actual costs of living in their communities. Payment of a living wage is a voluntary commitment from employers to go beyond the minimum. Visit https://livingwagealberta.ca/living-wage/ to learn more about the living wage.

The DI is an equal employment opportunity employer. We are committed to and support equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

If you are an applicant in need of accommodations or special assistance throughout the interview process, please submit a request by email to [e-mail].