Support Worker

Job Posting

Peer Support Worker

**This position is a male designated position**

TITLE: Peer Support Worker

LOCATION(S): Ottawa

SALARY: $23.62- $26.64 per hour **based on work experience

HOURS: 16 hours per week

EMPLOYER: John Howard Society of Ottawa

CLOSING DATE: Monday, July 11th,

**About the environment**:Employees at JHS Ottawa say the organizational culture is supportive, innovative, and focused on creating a caring environment for both clients, and staff. At JHS Ottawa, you will find an employer that celebrates the uniqueness of each of its staff members and is committed to promoting an engaging working culture where all employees are encouraged to live their strengths and realize their potential. JHS Ottawa will provide permanent new employees access to a benefit plan, four weeks vacation annually, a Defined Contribution Pension Plan after eligibility waiting period, and opportunities for continual learning and development.

**About who we support**:Our employees are supporting a diverse client group including youth and adults, all genders, from a wide cross section of social, ethnic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds who are representative of our broader community. We are accountable to the people we serve by providing the highest quality of service with integrity through the delivery of responsive, innovative and evidence-informed approaches.

**This position is a male designated position** given the nature of the client group and that the position is a sole shift**
- 2 years’ experience working with clients with complex needs
- Experience in providing non-clinical support for clients that are forensically involved
- Certification in PSO’s Peer Support Training, Mental Health First Aid, Suicide Intervention, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and First Aid/CPR; or a willingness to be trained in these areas
- A Diploma in Social Services or related field, or equivalent education

**Language**:

- Bilingual preferred (English/French)

**Qualifications**:

- Excellent communication, listening, and interpersonal skills
- Experience supporting people who have a concurrent disorders, physical and mental challenges
- Demonstrated understanding of positive behaviour supports in assisting people to enhance the quality of their lives
- At least a moderate proficiency with computers and internet
- A Positive attitude toward recovery and the mechanisms available to support recovery, including medication and mental health programs
- Alignment with John Howard Society’s philosophy and Mission Statement. A believe that all people have the capacity for change.

**Position Summary**:

- Experiential sharing
- Meet regularly with clients to develop working relationships and role model positive, recovery-oriented activity
- Promote and support participation and inclusion by accompanying people to participate in activities in their community, as well as build and sustain relationships and connections that reflect the interests identified by the person
- Advocate for clients when they have difficulty advocating for themselves
- Promote practices that support people’s health and safety
- Participate in planned leisure activities with individuals and groups
- Assist clients in connecting to emergency crisis intervention and support when needed
- Support client socialization and self-esteem building
- Clearly document time spent with clients and provide monthly report to supervisor
- Role-model social, leisure, and healthy living skills
- Meet regularly with Residential Coordinator and give a general report on engagement with clients
- Assist clients while helping them become more self-reliant

**Program Level Responsibilities**:

- Accompany residents on recreational outings and outings of their choosing, which will support their recovery.
- Facilitating a weekly Smart Recovery group at the residence for the residents.

**Program Representation/Community Relations**:
Peer Support must have a firm grasp of the established procedural guidelines to determine an appropriate response to community members’ presenting concerns. As the Peer Support will be responsible for community accompaniment, a professional demeanor and ability to respond in an empathetic and solution-focused manner to community members’ concerns is essential.

**Disclaimer**:
This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. The incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

**You’re a fit with our organizational culture, if you mirror our values in the way you work**:

- You are committed to providing the highest quality of care for your clients, through responsive, innovative, and evidence informed approaches.
- Driven by curiosity, you adapt to achieve the best results for clients/communities you serve.
- Celebrating the uniqueness and lived experience of eve