Youth Peer Support Worker

Association for New Canadians; San Juan de Terranova; On-site; CAD 8,400 - 10,000; Part time

Job summary

Association for New Canadians is seeking a Youth Peer Support Worker to provide non-clinical, peer-based support to youth. This role is 10 hours per week, primarily at an English as an Additional Language school in St. John’s, NL, with flexible hours.

Applicants should be aged 16–25, permanent residents, and bring lived experience with mental health or substance use. Training and supervision are provided to support youth in navigating community resources and building resilience.

Qualifications

• Lived or living experience with mental health challenges or substance use.
• Be 16–25 years old and a permanent resident.
• Bilingual ability is an asset.
• Ability to use lived experience safely in a peer role.
• Strong interpersonal communication with youth.
• Trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, youth-centered approach.
• Experience with youth or vulnerable populations is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Build safe, respectful relationships with youth participants.
• Provide one-to-one or group peer support through lived experience.
• Offer emotional support, encouragement, and validation.
• Help youth set goals and develop coping strategies.
• Assist navigating housing, education, employment, health services.
• Facilitate group activities and peer-led initiatives.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries and document accurately.
• Participate in supervision, meetings, and training.
• Refer youth to clinical support when needed.

Skills

Empathy

Active listening

Boundaries

Interpersonal skills

Cultural humility

Conflict resolution

Independent work

Job description

Association for New Canadians is a non‑profit, community‑based organization dedicated to the provision of settlement and integration services for immigrants and refugees.

Job Title: Youth Peer Support Worker

Location: St. John’s, NL

Position Type: 15 Contract‑Part‑time positions

Closing date: Until Filled

Reporting to the Provincial Program Trainer, the Youth Peer Support Worker provides non‑clinical, peer‑based support to youth accessing the program. Grounded in lived or living experience, the role focuses on building connection, trust, and hope through mentorship, relational engagement, and strengths‑based support. The Peer Support Worker walks alongside youth as they navigate challenges, develop skills, and access community resources.

This position is non‑clinical in nature and does not involve counselling, therapy, crisis intervention, diagnosis, assessment, or case management.

Hours & Location: 10 hours per week. Primarily based at an English as an Additional Language school, with some community or school‑based work. Hours are flexible.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Build safe, respectful, and trusting relationships with youth participants
• Provide one‑on‑one and/or group peer support through shared lived experience
• Offer emotional support, encouragement, and validation in a non‑judgmental way
• Support youth in identifying strengths, setting personal goals, and developing coping strategies
• Encourage independence, resilience, and self‑advocacy
• Assistance youth in navigating community services (e.g., housing, education, employment, health supports)
• Facilitate or co‑facilitate group activities, workshops, or peer‑led initiatives
• Maintain clear and consistent boundaries appropriate to the peer support role
• Recognize when a youth may require additional or clinical support and connect them to appropriate services
• Follow organizational protocols for safety, including escalation procedures when needed
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation
• Participate in supervision, team meetings, and ongoing training

Scope of Role

The Youth Peer Support Worker provides emotional support, shares lived experience, mentors, and connects youth to resources.

• Does Not: provide counselling, therapy, diagnosis, or clinical assessment
• Does Not: take on the role of a clinician, social worker, or case manager

Guiding Principles

• Youth voice and choice
• Lived experience as expertise
• Hope, recovery, and resilience
• Healthy boundaries and ethical practice
• Inclusion, diversity, and respect

Qualifications and Experience:

• Lived or living experience with mental health challenges and/or substance use, with demonstrated progress in personal recovery
• Be between 16 and 25 years of age and be a permanent resident.
• The ability to speak more than one language would be considered an asset
• Ability to use lived experience safely, purposefully, and appropriately in a peer role
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, particularly with youth
• Understanding of trauma‑informed, recovery‑oriented, and youth‑centered approaches
• Experience working or volunteering with youth or vulnerable populations is an asset
• Knowledge of local youth services and community resources is an asset

Skills and Competencies

• Empathy, authenticity, and active listening
• Strong boundary‑setting and self‑awareness
• Ability to engage youth in a relatable and respectful way
• Cultural humility and commitment to equity and inclusion
• Conflict resolution and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Basic computer and documentation skills

Conditions of Employment:

• Be between 16 and 25 years of age and be a permanent resident.
• Flexible schedule
• Position is subject to a satisfactory Criminal Record Screening and Vulnerable Sector Check from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary

Association for New Canadians is committed to the advancement of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. We believe that diversity in our team is a key pillar in the work we do and invite all candidates to discuss their specific skill sets and experience. We will work with qualified applicants to provide reasonable accommodation upon request to facilitate this recruitment process.

Visit us online at: www.ancnl.ca.