Eepf Admin

**Location**: Chisasibi

**Posting End Date**: December 7, 2023

Peer Support Counsellor

**Core Functions**:
The Peer Support Counsellor offers peer-based mentoring and emotional support. It helps Officers work towards their self-identified goals by supporting them with system navigation and connecting them with internal and external resources. The incumbent will provide quality and confidential services, information, and referrals and support the Officers affected by mental health issues. He/she will work with colleagues and other community resources to meet/achieve the officers’ needs.

**Functional Responsibilities**:

- Work as part of an interdisciplinary team and in close partnership with the Controller, Senior Officers, and HR representatives.
- Work with the Senior Officers and HR representative to establish a safe and supportive environment for all Officers.
- Establish a relationship of respect and trust with the Officers.
- Provide telephone and/or in-person information and support to Officers.
- Respond to Officers in crises through support and/or referral to a mental health professional and keep informed the Senior Officer and the HR representative.
- Receive and assess service requests from Officers and refer them to the appropriate programs, services, or resources (NNADAP worker, social worker, and other organizations within or outside the communities).
- Identify healing, spiritual, cultural, and other appropriate resources for Officers in consultation with Elders and other mental health professionals.
- Provide individual support to Officers using case support, informal counseling, emotional support, information (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) and referrals, advocacy, and crisis intervention and prevention.
- Participate in intervention plans when required.
- Follow-up post-crisis with ongoing support.
- Use different methods, approaches, and techniques (individual interviews, group facilitation, etc.) to intervene effectively with the Officers.
- Plan, develop, evaluate, deliver, and assess quality improvement mental health training and/or activities with the collaboration of the Human Resources department.
- Identify improvement opportunities and escalates key issues/risks to the Senior Manager of Human Resources; propose and execute solutions to address challenges or mitigate risks.
- Perform detachment visits when required.

**Interaction/Communication Responsibilities**:

- Establish relationships with social or mental health support workers and other organisms such as the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay, etc.
- Ensure accurate and timely reports, data entry, and documentation in relevant systems.
- Provide quarterly reports and assess results.
- Assess, monitor, and evaluate needs and activities, follow up when required, and contribute to processes documenting recommendations and lessons learned.
- Continuously assess, monitor, and evaluate needs and activities, and communicate observations as required to immediate supervisor and HR.

**Other Responsibilities**:

- Maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills in area(s) of responsibility.
- Perform other duties as required.

**Qualifications**:
Education
- University Certificate in social work, social services, community mental health, or a related field. Or related experience providing support to individuals with mental health and substance use issues or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- Completion of a Peer Support Training Program would be an asset.

Experience
- Three to five years of relevant work experience.

**Language**:

- Fluency in English and Cree.
- Fluency in French is an asset.

**Knowledge and Abilities**:

- Excellent interpersonal and listening communication skills.
- Good understanding of psychosocial issues.
- Knowledge of stress and trauma experienced by Officers, Cree culture, social/health issues and Eenou/Eeyou healing practices and paradigms.
- Knowledge of mental health, substance abuse, crisis intervention, trauma-informed practice, systemic issues and risk factors facing Officers and impacts of residential schools.
- Must be ready to work occasionally outside the regular working hours (availability).

**Additional Requirements**:

- Typical office setting with no unusual demands.
- Willingness to
- Must agree to undergo a background check.