Peer Support Worker

Have you worked with individuals experiencing mental health barriers, homelessness, and poverty in the past? Are you a person with lived experience looking to contribute to the learning and growth of another? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment? If so, this role may be for you_

The Alex is a beacon of hope for Calgary’s most vulnerable citizens, offering wrap-around health care, housing, social, and wellness programs. With a patient and client-centered approach, we envision a community where every individual is valued and empowered to thrive. Our mission is to improve quality of life through accessible and integrated health, housing, and social services. With five decades of experience, we have earned a reputation for tackling tough health and social issues, guiding individuals on their journey from crisis to wellness, and from challenge to change.

**Job Overview**: The peer support worker will provide ongoing support to formerly homeless individuals as they establish permanent housing within the place-based supportive housing program. This individual encourages hope and empowers individuals experiencing addictions and mental, physical, and social complexities. Working alongside a multidisciplinary team, this position will draw on lived experience to collaboratively build equal, open and trusting relationships with participants. **This is a part-time, contract term position until July 31, 2025.**

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Work in a multi-disciplinary team of professionals
- Build relationships with participants to understand community and cultural context and work to reduce barriers that limit access to health and social support
- Empower individuals to access available community resources
- Promote and/or facilitate involvement in health and community-based activities
- Transport and accompany individuals to internal or external appointments and programs
- Participate in related service offerings and assist with other staff duties
- Liaise among natural supports, community agencies, and sector partners
- Offer client-centered and culturally informed services
- Positively contribute to work environment/culture
- Data collection and entry as required
- Perform other duties as required

**Qualifications and Experience**:

- Completion of the CMHA Calgary School of Peer Support or another formal Peer Support Training program is required.
- Experience (volunteering, personal or paid), preferably in peer support, working with individuals with mental health challenges or addiction concerns considered an asset.
- A demonstrated understanding of how to utilize own lived experience to contribute to an individual’s learning and growth is required.
- Demonstrated ability to provide a kind, reassuring and judgement-free environment in sensitive situations.
- Ability to maintain a high level of self-awareness and healthy boundaries.
- Ability to engage in active listening and provide and accept constructive feedback.
- Effective conflict resolution, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Knowledge of local mental health and/or addiction systems and community services.
- Experience working in distress and/or high-stress situations, which may include emergency response.
- Proficiency in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with participants, associates, and other community agencies.
- Certificate in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention/De-escalation or equivalent preferred, or willingness to obtain within three months of employment
- First Aid (either Standard/Intermediate or Emergency/Basic) - Level C CPR within 30 days of hire date; certification must be valid for a minimum of 6 months upon hire.
- Class 5 driver’s license and clean drivers abstract are required.
- Must be at least 21 years of age and have a minimum of three (3) years of driving experience to drive an Alex fleet vehicle.
- A satisfactory vulnerable sector criminal record clearance is required.
- Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action is an asset.

**Work Environment and Hours**:

- The Prelude: 1719-34 St. SE, Calgary, AB.
- Both outreach and in-office components
- 0.6 FTE (22.5 hours/week)
- Standard hours 12:00 to 20:00; three (3) days per week, between Monday to Friday; some flexibility in schedule may be available.
- Contract term position until July 31, 2025
- Continuous extended periods of sitting, standing, or walking
- Occasional carrying objects up or down stairwells
- Occasional driving as part of work duties
- Occasional physical action requiring the ability to climb and carry objects up flights of stairs throughout the shift, and to bend/crouch, reach above shoulder height, kneel, and carry objects (more than 20Ibs).
- Occasional time outside in all weather condition

**Working Conditions**:This position requires frontline staff, in some cases, to be exposed to emotionally disturbing events, such as medical distress, th