Veterans Peer Support Worker

Employment Type: Fixed term until March 31st, 2028
Schedule: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Reporting to: Senior Manager Health and Wellness
City: Edmonton
Number of Positions to Fill: 1
RFR #: 1702

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Veteran Peer Support Worker to join The Mustard Seed's Veterans Advocacy Program in Calgary and Edmonton. This role provides support, encouragement, and guidance to other veterans experiencing poverty, homelessness, or housing instability. As a veteran's Peer Support Worker, you will work closely with a veterans advocate to assist veterans to achieve stability and improve their quality of life through empathetic support and connection to resources.

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 Veterans Program 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
• Bring forward identified client risks or issues to the supervisor and colleagues to develop action plans
• Assist Verterans Advocate Program Supervisors, Advocates, 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
• Support the Veterans Advocate Supervisor as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Diploma or an undergraduate degree in related field
• Candidates must be a CAF veteran, bringing a valuable perspective and commitment from their military service
• 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 driver's license and a clean driving abstract

WORKING CONDITIONS

• As The Mustard Seed is a Christian ministry, we require our employees sign an agreement indicating that they will respect and not detract from our Statement of Faith
• 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 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
• Time more than regular working hours may be required on occasion
• Driving is required for local travel to various Mustard Seed sites and external agencies
• The working environment for this position requires moderate amounts of walking, standing, sitting, and daily interactions with colleagues and guests
• Fast paced and demanding work environment
• Moderate to extreme mental effort required to respond to highly intense situations

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 Seed's 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 driver's licence and will need to consent to a driver's abstract request.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The Mustard Seed offers a competitive compensation package including 100% employer paid extended health and dental benefits for staff and dependents, matching RRSP after one year of service, and wellness days.

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.

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.