Addiction & Mental Health Worker, Peer Support - Operation Sharing
Direct Service - (OPSEU)
Part-Time, Contract (Ending: Approximately 12 months)
Woodstock, Ontario (Oxford Zone)
This posting is the result of new funding
- Application Deadline: June 3, 2026 -

We believe that everyone has the right to access supports that will foster growth and allow them to live with dignity, and independence in our community.

Within the mission and philosophy of CMHA TVAMHS and the values of Peer Support Canada, the Peer Support Staff will intentionally utilize their lived experience with mental health and/or addictions and homelessness to provide formal Peer Support services at Operation Sharing through one-on-one and group engagement, as well as community outreach. The staff will advocate for peer rights and support self-advocacy and self-determination, assist peers with goal setting and achievement, wellness planning, harm reduction and build tools to support individual’s unique sense of wellbeing. This role will work collaboratively with CMHA TVAMHS and Operation Sharing staff, peers, the community, and other professionals to support and strengthen the wellbeing of individuals served.

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a PVSC are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 5 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.

Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team!

WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:

• What you'll be making - Starting rate for this role is $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($30.01 per hour for Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated):
  • Successful candidates who are registered with one of the designated professional colleges (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO) will receive the wage differential for regulation
  • Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($34.41 per hour for non-regulated, and $37.26 per hour for regulated)
  • For internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
• When you'll work - 56 hours over two-week period; Scheduled within the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday, with one unpaid hour for lunch
• What your benefits will be - 9% in lieu of benefits
• Your pension plan - Immediately eligible for optional enrolment in Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

The Peer Support Program will adhere to the following values and principles:

• Meet and engage peers “where they are at”
• Extend unconditional high regard to peers at every point in the journey
• Uphold the rights of peers to have their voices heard and valued
• Treat peers with respect, and expect respect in return; support mutually beneficial relationships
• Support peers to continue in their wellness journey, regardless of their diagnostic criteria and status
• Realize that relating based on shared/similar experience is unparalleled in terms of therapeutic value
• Recognize that peer supports have a different level of empathy than those without lived experience
• Able to intentionally share aspects of one’s own story, and able to show a level of vulnerability as a central component of practice
• Foster self-determination, independence and resist dependencies when working with peers
• Able to take chances by being honest and using direct communication with peers

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide Peer Support through 1:1, Groups, Outreach and Engagement at Operation Sharing sites including Day Space and the overnight shelter
• Support individuals experiencing mental health, addictions and homelessness related concerns in creating personal goals for recovery and wellness and sustaining meaningful lives in their community
• Liaise with professionals and with the community for the benefit of peers while adhering to the principle of confidentiality
• Advocate for peer rights and support self-advocacy and self-determination
• Provides skill teaching, and support to peers to assist in goal achievement.
• Provide Peer level crisis support and crisis prevention planning through Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP)
• Ongoing professional skill development/continuing education towards the delivery of mental health and addiction services.
• Able to build positive relationships with other Peer team and Operation Sharing colleagues and support cohesiveness and positivity for team building
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Direct Service:

• Promote empowerment and self-determination of others through non-judgmental listening
• Connect peers to resources in their community
• Meet with individuals to support them to determine their own support needs and interests
• Plan and facilitate peer support groups
• Develop, facilitate and evaluate Peer Outreach Program activities
• Develop and evaluate peer programming in collaboration with other CMHA TVAMHS Peer Coordinators, Manager, and Operation Sharing staff
• Maintain privacy and confidentiality of individuals
• Maintain statistical records associated with program functions according to agency guidelines
• Complete administrative duties and documentation as required
• Attend CMHA TVAMHS Peer Support team and agency staff meetings, and participate in Operation Sharing meetings as required
• Participate in relevant committee meetings i.e. Direct Service, Ethics Committee
• Carry out the policies and procedures of CMHA TVAMHS as set forth in the Policy and Procedure Manual; respect the necessary site-specific policies and procedures of Operation Sharing when on location
• Regularly meet with CMHA TVMHAS Peer Support leadership for general supervision, performance evaluation and identification of training needs
• Ensure compliance with agency Privacy, Confidentiality, and Code of Ethics policies and procedures, as well as the Peer Support Canada Code of Conduct
• Support peers in their treatment planning including assisting with referrals to health and social services and other community organizations as needed.

Partnership Enhancement

• Build and maintain relationships with community partners that will enable the introduction of intentional peer support into community settings targeting various populations
• Engage, support and provide excellent service to our community partners
• Coordinate Peer Support training for community partners, fellow staff members and Peer Volunteers as applicable

Outreach Specific Duties

• Attend Operation Sharing housing and shelter sites to engage peers and offer support based on peers’ expressed needs and interests including connecting peers with basic needs supplies, harm reduction equipment, etc.
• Facilitate a trauma and violence informed, strengths-based approach to care that emphasizes the importance of hope, self-determination and empowerment
• Maintain healthy boundaries within the supportive, collaborative peer working relationship
• Facilitate one on one and peer-focused social/support/life skills groups based on recovery and wellness principles for clients in the community

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:

Police Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a PVSC are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 5 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.

We require the following qualifications:

• Lived experience of mental illness and/or addictions and homelessness
• Ontario Secondary School Diploma and/or equivalent/related experience (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
• Experience working with individuals living with mental illness and/or addictions/problematic substance use, especially in a peer support capacity
• Valid Driver’s License
• Access to vehicle for personal transportation
• Ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

• Completed formal peer support training and education (e.g., Peer Support Canada, Center for Innovation in Peer Support, etc.)
• Current First Aid and CPR certification
• ASIST certificate
• Previous Peer Support experience, including paid, volunteer, and/or placement positions
• At a place in wellness journey where you are able model wellness to peers; as well as to respond to any personal mental health/addictions concerns as they arise
• Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

Get your application in by – June 3, 2026:

Our recruitment process allows us to learn about your previous work experience, your qualifications and your commitment to fulfilling our vision. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those individuals being considered for a position will be personally contacted by someone from the interview team.

We welcome and encourage applications from all members of our community including persons of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of visible minorities. If you require accommodations related to a disability at any point during the recruitment process, please contact Human.Resources@cmhatv.ca

Legal Notifications:

• For legal purposes our full business name is: Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
• Artificial Intelligence is not currently employed in our recruitment processes

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