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.
About diversity at JHS Ottawa: The John Howard Society of Ottawa is committed to reflecting and responding to the diversity of the people and communities we serve and is seeking that diversity in applicants for this position. We welcome candidates from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People, women, persons with disabilities, persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, and all candidates who contribute to furthering the diversity of ideas. We also recognize that people from diverse groups have different needs and require different solutions to gain equal opportunity for success in the hiring process. If you require any accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.
**This position is a male designated position given the nature of the client group and that the position is a sole shift **
As the successful candidate, you have:
- 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
- Understanding and application of recovery principles, and their applications to people with mental illness and complex needs
- 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 every person is part of your nature, and this conviction creates a sense of belonging, safety, and better outcomes for all.
- You work in a way that helps employees and clients live their strengths and reach their potential
- Work with compassion and care for others, and help JHS build a culture of listening, mutual support, and meaningful connections.
You’re a fit with our organizational culture if you believe:
- In building meaningful connections across our programs, partners, and neighborhoods in order to foster inclusion and empowerment.
- In a person-centered approach, recognizing the value, expertise, and capacity of each individual to make choices that lead to their best self.
- That systemic inequalities exist, and that all people have the right to be treated with dignity, to live free from discrimination, to have a home, and to access employment, education, health promotion and other supports.
- In reducing harm to individuals and communities through a non-judgmental approach that builds resiliency and accountability.
- In the capacity of individuals and communities to adapt, change, and grow while promoting the conditions to inspire positive transformation.
We sincerely thank all applicants who express interest in JHS and this position - only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
