Peer Support Worker - Urban Response

About Us

At the Calgary DropIn 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 lowbarrier traumainformed housingfocused and recoveryoriented aimed at supporting Calgarys most vulnerable citizens. And our doors are always open.

Department:

Health & Recovery Services Department

Urban Response Programs

Job Category:

Salary

Reports To:

Team Lead Urban Response Programs

Position Type:

Full Time 1.0 FTE)

Direct Reports:

None

Schedule:

0hours

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 clientcentered traumainformed 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 (ie: 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 traumainformed care in all interactions.
• Support with deescalation and crisis intervention and emergency response as directed.
• Support client triage intake assessments and discharge processes.
• Work with clients toward individualized goalsetting and cocreating 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 Drivers License and clean Drivers 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 Associations 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 deescalation and crisis intervention skills.
• Ability to maintain a high level of selfawareness and healthy boundaries.
• Experience working in distress and/or highstress situations which may include emergency response.
• Knowledge of community resources available throughout Calgary.
• Energetic and selfdirected 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 highstress situations that require resilience compassion and composure. At the DI we are deeply committed to the wellbeing 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 wellbeing 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. Its about making a difference one person at a time.

Although the DI is a smokefree 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 persons 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 ourcommitments.

What we Offer

Staff at the DI enjoy competitive compensation packages including employerpaid benefits depending on role and employment type.

Some of the employerpaid group benefits include:

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