Peer Support Worker – Mental Health and Addiction Peer Support

How to Apply

Submit the following documents as part of your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter (Include a statement of interest and your suitability for the role.
• Job Application Screening Form (Below)
• Please indicate whether you identify as a person with lived experience. * Lived experience may include your own mental health or substance use health challenges, or supporting a family member who lives with these challenges.

Applications will only be accepted via:

· Email:

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Deadline: December 5, 2025, by 4pm.

Wage Line: $21.68 to start.

Organizational Overview

NISA/Northern Initiative for Social Action is a peer-led organization run by and for people with lived experience of mental health and substance use health challenges, which may include one's own direct experiences or supporting a family member living with these challenges. Our mission is to develop occupational skills, nurture self-confidence, and provide resources for recovery by creating opportunities for members to contribute to their own well-being and that of their community. NISA is strongly committed to employment equity and encourages all qualified applicants to apply.

Position Summary

The Peer Support Worker – MAPS, Justice-Focused Program provides peer-based, recovery-oriented support to individuals who are involved with, or transitioning from, the criminal justice system. Working from a harm-reduction, trauma-informed, and lived-experience perspective, the Peer Support Worker assists people with mental health and/or substance use health challenges as they reintegrate into the community.

Duties and Responsibilities

Core Duties (apply to all peer support positions):

• Provide one-to-one peer support
• Facilitate or co-facilitate groups and activities.
• Assist individuals with system navigation and accessing community resources.
• Support individualized goals and encourage self-advocacy.
• Maintain accurate documentation, including activity notes and reports.
• Work collaboratively with peers, staff, and community partners.
• Promote NISA's mission, vision, and values in all interactions.
• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, and training opportunities.

Role Specific Duties:

In supporting justice-involved individuals as they work toward stability and community reintegration, the Peer Support Worker will:

1. Direct Support & Navigation

• Provide one-to-one peer support to adults involved with the criminal justice system.
• Support clients to understand and participate in their wellness, recovery, and reintegration plans.
• Assist with navigating community and government programs (OW, ODSP, housing, child welfare).
• Develop individualized harm-reduction and wellness plans with clients.

2. Justice-Related Support

• Attend or accompany clients to probation, court (if permitted), and counselling appointments in a supportive, bridging capacity.
• Collaborate with Probation and Parole Officers to assess needs and coordinate support following referral.

3. Access to Services & Stabilization

• Connect clients with emergency, crisis, stabilization, housing, and suicide-prevention supports.
• Make referrals to mental health, substance use, housing, cultural, and community-based services.
• Facilitate access to services that promote successful community transition and reintegration.

4. Practical Assistance

• Provide limited, urgent financial or practical assistance with travel or transportation when necessary.
• Provide interpreter support in a limited capacity, when appropriate.

5. Privacy, Consent & Communication

• Ensure client privacy by sharing only information for which informed consent has been obtained.
• Report changes in client contact information to the Case Manager only when informed by the client and with consent.

6. Professional Practice

• Model trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and recovery-oriented peer-support principles in all interactions.

Develops and maintains effective relations between staff, community partners and individuals:

The Peer Support Worker will:

• Participate in meetings, ensuring effective communication, and engage in conflict resolution as required.
• Participate in team meetings, agency and community committees and other meetings as required.
• Work collaboratively with NISA and the Office of the Solicitor General (SOLGEN), or other healthcare providers and community partners.
• Participate in the evaluation of program goals and objectives and make recommendations on changes to current program activities for improved service delivery.
• Communicate NISA's Core Values of Peer Support to enable understanding of peer support's unique role.

Ensures all file management and reporting functions are maintained in a comprehensive and timely manner to fulfill the program and agency's legal and professional requirements.

The Peer Support Worker will:

• Complete NISA's staff activity summaries and individual activity notes utilizing data entry program.
• Ensure that monthly, annual and other required reporting documentation is completed.
• Use the approved notes, templates and procedures to communicate with management.
• Engage individuals in preparing communication notes for SOLGEN so that best available information is shared while promoting self-determination and autonomy.
• Participating in and providing a peer perspective in team meetings, case conferences, and family and community meetings.
• Participating in regular meetings with the NISA Program Manager.

Takes responsibility for decision-making and accountability within the role:

The Peer Support Worker will be required to make decisions on the following:

• Appropriate action to ensure safety of all individuals.
• Requests to share health information.
• Concerns regarding the well-being of any individual.
• Self-manage workload and workflow.

The Guidelines used for decision-making may include but are not limited to: NISA Policy & Procedures, NISA Core Values of Peer Support, Mental Health Act, SOLGEN policies and protocols, Personal Health Information Privacy Act (PHIPA), the Peer Support Employment Training Manual (NISA), the Guidelines for Recovery-Oriented Practice and the Guidelines for the Practice and Training of Peer Support.

Maintains up-to-date knowledge of the Mental Health Act and related legislation, the structure and personnel of local social agencies, government departments and trends and developments in the community that could affect the provision of mental health and substance use health services. Represents program and agency in a professional manner.

Qualifications

Required (for all peer roles):

• Lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges, which may include one's own direct experiences or supporting a family member living with these challenges.
• Diploma/degree in a related social services or health field (e.g., Social Service Worker, Child and Youth Worker, Social Work, Psychology, Humanities, or Social Sciences), or equivalent experience.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.

Preferred:

• Peer Support Training/Certification
• Completion of WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), ASIST, First Aid/CPR, WHMIS, NVCI.
• Knowledge of community mental health and substance use health resources.
• Computer proficiency (Word, Excel, Email/Internet).
• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset.

Commitment to Professional Development

NISA is deeply committed to continuous learning and personal growth for all staff. Peer Support Workers are expected to participate in ongoing training, reflective practice, and mentorship to strengthen both personal wellness and professional skills. Development opportunities include WRAP and ASIST certification, peer-based learning sessions, skills workshops, and collaborative check-ins with the Program Manager and Program and Staff Development Lead. NISA supports learning that enhances trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and culturally safe peer support practice.

Equity and Accessibility

NISA is strongly committed to employment equity and reviews each applicant without discrimination due to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences, marital status, family status, or disability. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all stages of the selection process.

Job Application Screening Form

Please complete and attach this form to your application.

Name: _____________________ Date: _______________

Educational Preparation:

• Do you have Peer Support Worker Training? Yes/No
• Do you have a diploma, degree, or equivalent in health or related discipline? Yes/No
• Have you completed WRAP? Yes/No- If yes, which Level ______________
• Have you completed ASIST? Yes/No

Language Capacities:

• Are you bilingual (English/French)? Yes/No
• Do you speak another language? Yes/No – If yes, specify: ____________

Experience and Knowledge:

• Do you have lived experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges, either through your own direct experiences or through supporting a family member living with these challenges? Yes/No
• Do you have experience working as a peer support worker? Yes/No
• Do you have experience working with people in crisis? Yes/No
• Are you knowledgeable of mental health and substance use health community resources in Northeastern Ontario? Yes/No
• Do you have knowledge of Peer Support practice? Yes/No
• Are you knowledgeable of relevant legislation (e.g., Mental Health Act,)? Yes/No
• Do you have experience advocating for individuals within Mental Health, Criminal Justice, or Social Services? Yes/No
• Are you able to work flexible hours (evenings/weekends)? Yes/No
• Do you have a non-judgmental attitude toward diverse lived experiences? Yes/No

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $21.68 per hour

Expected hours: 21 per week

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision care

Work Location: In person