Peer Support Worker

Employment Type: Fixed term until March 31^st 2028.
Schedule: 2.5 days with flexibility in schedule
Reporting to: Senior Manager Health and Wellness
City: Edmonton
Number of Positions to Fill: 1
RFR #: 1862

The Peer Support Worker provides peer-based support to individuals who are navigating addiction and substance use during community reintegration. The Peer Support Worker offers encouragement practical guidance and recovery-oriented support to individuals transitioning from provincial remand centres into the community. The role works closely with advocates and social workers to support stability connection to addiction and community resources and successful reintegration.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Connect with clients on an ongoing basis to assist
• Build rapport with clients to support the achievement of goals identified in their goal plans
• Ensure that clients daily needs are met through regular ongoing interaction
• Provide an open and welcoming environment for clients to share their concerns and address their needs
• Assist clients in building daily living skills through continuous support
• Assist clients to sort out options and develop plans of action while providing necessary support and assistance
• Maintain contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients overall progress
• Foster positive working relationships between clients and their support networks ensuring clear communication with external organizations
• Collaborate with internal Mustard Seed services to ensure clients receive comprehensive wraparound supports
• Manage an assigned client caseload alongside the veterans advocate as directed by the Reintegration Supervisor
• Advocate on behalf of clients to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed
• Document client interactions referrals progress and any changes in behavior
• Completing incident reports in a timely manner
• Bring forward identified client risks or issues to the supervisor and colleagues to develop action plans
• Assist Reintegration Supervisor Advocates Social Workers and Health and Wellness manager as needed
• Facilitate events and groups engaging intentionally with clients to build rapport and foster a sense of community
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new groups as assigned
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Diploma or an undergraduate degree in related field
• Lived experience navigating social economic or health-related challenges is considered an asset as it contributes to a deeper understanding of the communities we serve
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with marginalized individuals
• Strong communication skills and ability to work within a cross-functional team
• The ability to interact with a variety of individuals
• Strong administrative and computer skills
• Conflict resolution skills and ability to manage residents in crisis situations
• A passion to be part of ending homelessness in Alberta
• Possession of a Class 5 drivers license and a clean driving abstract

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position is part time working 20 hours per week and agreed upon schedule will be determined by the Reintegration Supervisor and the Health and Wellness Manager
• This role requires travel between the Health and Wellness Centre various local Mustard Seed sites and external partner agencies within Calgary and Edmonton
• Travel to locations such as provincial remand centres and other community organizations is an essential part of the position
• This position may entitle working and driving in extreme weather conditions; Being aware of the daily weather report is essential
• Lifting travelling sitting standing walking driving a company vehicle are required as part of this role
• Moderate physical effort required to successfully accomplish the essential job functions and respond to a fast-paced work environment
• Moderate to extreme mental effort required to respond to highly intense situations
• Time more than regular working hours may be required on occasion
• Employees are to be aware that many of our clients may experience difficulties or impairment at times which could result in them uttering threats discriminatory statements and other insults at your person. This may be in a raised voice or in seeing unpredictable behaviour up to and including the possibility of them becoming aggressive
• Training on how to respond is provided but this is to be considered typical working conditions. Many of our clients are unaware of the impact of these comments

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• An Employment Background Check is required for all positions at The Mustard Seed
• As The Mustard Seed is a Christian ministry we require our employees to agree to respect and not detract from The Mustard Seeds Employment Values during their employment at The Mustard Seed.
• Must have legal authorization to work in Canada on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer

This position requires the use of a company vehicle. Candidate must have and maintain valid drivers licence and will need to consent to a drivers abstract request.

NOTE

• Your privacy is important to us. The information we collect is used solely for consideration for employment.
• We thank all candidates for their interest however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The Mustard Seed reserves the right to amend job advertisements. No phone calls please.

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