Peer Support Worker

**PEER SUPPORT WORKER**

**Up to 1 year contract**

If you are looking for a career working with amazing people while helping your community thrive, then this opportunity is for you and we want to hear from you. We urge individuals that have retired, semi-retired, are returning to the workforce, those that are new to Canada, and recent graduates to also apply. At Good Shepherd, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, equal and authentic workplace.

**About Good Shepherd**

The work of Good Shepherd is based on a fundamental belief in providing hope and restoring dignity to the most vulnerable members of our community. Our services include emergency food and clothing; daily hot meals; emergency shelters for men, youth, families, women and children; transitional housing and education for homeless and street-involved youth; hospice palliative care; community mental health programs; and supportive housing programs. This opportunity is with our Good Shepherd - HOMES Program.

**Why Work with Good Shepherd?**
- Be a part of a caring **TEAM THAT SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY**:

- **POSITIVE **and **ENCOURAGING** atmosphere
- **EMPLOYEE AND FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM**:

- Wellness Program
- Make a difference and provide **HOPE**:

- Paid time off
- Having a recovery orientation and client-centred style of practice
- Working effectively as a part of a team and interact with workers from a variety of agencies
- Excellent skills in facilitating life-skill development & adult education in areas of financial responsibility, personal care and other areas of personal growth
- An integrated understanding of a holistic approach of support; this includes the delivery of therapeutic recreation in psycho-social rehabilitation
- Being creative and flexible in their approach, willingness to role-model and self-disclosure when appropriate
- Must have knowledge and ability to work within a Harm Reduction framework
- Provide mentoring / leadership within Dual Recovery Anonymous
- Knowledge of and experience working with community-based agencies and services
- Having good oral and written communication
- Having crisis intervention skills, with well-developed problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills, practise that supports self-determination and empowerment

**Work Conditions**
- Most work is done in the community and in tenant homes
- Must be willing and able to assist in a hands-on capacity with tenants
- Must be able to work rotating shifts of days, evenings, and weekends
- Ability to work independently with minimum day-to-day supervision

**Qualifications**
- Minimum 3 years’ experience working in a peer support role
- Lived experience in managing mental health, addiction issues and/or precarious housing
- Peer support training from a recognized peer support organization or willingness to take training
- Post-secondary education in social services, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is an asset
- Knowledge of community resources, social, and environmental determinants of health
- Must have a valid driver’s license, be willing to use personal vehicle at work and acquire appropriate insurance
- A good understanding of cultural competency and be able to work within an anti-racist and anti-oppressive framework or openness to be trained
- Ideally have a general understanding of the mental health act and residential tenancies act
- Fluency in a language in addition to English is an asset

**Don’t Meet Every Requirement?**

**How Can I Apply?**

**Our Values**
- **Hospitality**_, as inspired by St. John of God is at the heart of Good Shepherd’s mission. This means that we welcome all people with compassion, acceptance and a spirit of generosity; creating opportunities for transformation.

Hospitality embodies our **Values** of:

- **Responsibility**:

- **Availability**:

- **Adaptability**:

- **Quality**:

- **Dignity**
- Good Shepherd, a ministry of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, is an equal opportunity employer operating within an anti-racist and anti-oppression framework. We strive to establish workplaces that reflect and are enhanced by the rich diversity of the community we serve._
- Good Shepherd has a mandatory verification of COVID-19 vaccination policy. More information on the full policy requirements and accommodation allowances will be provided to those selected for an interview._

**Salary**: $21.66 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Company events
- Employee assistance program
- Wellness program

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Hamilton, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

**Experience**:

- supportive care: 1 year (preferred)
- Mental Health and/or Addictions: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: One location