Peer Navigator (Self Help Peer Support and Mental Health & Justice)
Top Benefits
About the role
Posting Closes: December 4, 2025 at 5:00pm
About Us:
The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) provides a full care system for those with addictions, mental health or developmental needs. We serve everyone from children to adults to seniors, all under one roof. Our programs help individuals and families to lead lives filled with meaning and promise. We have 400 staff at offices in Cambridge, Waterloo, Kitchener, Guelph, Fergus, and Mount Forest.
We are fully accredited by Accreditation Canada and are proud of our Exemplary Status (the highest standing) received at our most recent accreditation exercise.
Why Join our Team:
Competitive Compensation and Benefits: Our compensation package includes a competitive salary and generous benefits supporting the wellness of our staff. We are proud to be members of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) offering one of Canada’s largest and most respected defined benefit plans.
Career Development Opportunities: Our wide range of services and supports allows for varied opportunities for career growth. Our multi-disciplinary approach to care offers cross collaboration and enhanced opportunities for learning. A formal succession planning process is key to our internal leadership recruitment.
Values that include: Mutual Respect, Accountability, Integrity and Excellence and Innovation and a culture that is welcoming and inclusive.
Commitment to Health and Safety: We have a strong health and safety culture at CMHA WW and work tirelessly to address the health and safety needs of staff and the people we serve.
The Opportunity:
We are recruiting for PEER NAVIGATOR (Self Help Peer Support and Mental Health & Justice)
- This is a regular full-time position (35 hours per week Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm with flexibility to meet service needs) based at 67 King St. E. Kitchener.
As part of an integrated team, the Peer Navigator’s core responsibility is to have a consistent presence in the community to provide walk-in support, and to support people who are part of the mental health and justice service. The Peer Navigator offers a unique, non-clinical perspective that provides people with mental health and addictions concerns a sense of hope and practical support as they move toward recovery. The person will have a demonstrated belief in the philosophy of recovery values and principles, and a commitment to a peer support approach and social justice through community integration, participation and inclusion. This position reports to the Manager, Self Help and Peer Support Services.
Qualifications:
- Personal lived experience with mental health and/or addiction issues relevant to the people supported and a willingness to use lived experience in this role
- Bachelor's degree or two year college diploma in social science or health related discipline
- Minimum of two years' experience providing any combination of a) peer support in a paid or volunteer role and or b) working in an addiction or mental health setting or related occupation such as community, social service worker, or equivalent experience
- Demonstrated understanding of recovery values, knowledge of peer support practices, trauma-informed practices and harm reduction theory and practices
- Experience in group facilitation skills and group development an asset
- Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team and take a team approach to supporting individuals
- Peer Support Canada Certification, or willingness to obtain
- Knowledge of the criminal justice system an asset
- Aligns with CMHA WW values of mutual respect, integrity, accountability and excellence and innovation and is a role model to our culture of Welcoming
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook and various database software
- Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle as travel is required
CLASSIFICATION AND RATE OF PAY: Level 4 (OPSEU) $29.29 to $35.56 per hour
Qualified applicants are invited to submit a resume and cover letter outlining how your skills, qualifications and experience meet the position requirements.
CMHA WW, as an equal opportunity employer, embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. We welcome applications from all qualified persons.
Experience
Required
- 2 year(s): Mental Health or Addictions
- 1 year(s): Peer Support
Education
Required
- College Diploma or better in Social Work or related field
About Canadian Mental Health Association
As the most established and extensive community #mentalhealth organization in Canada, the Canadian Mental Health Association promotes mental health for all and supports the resilience and recovery of those experiencing mental illness.
CMHA envisions a Canada where mental health is a universal human right.
En tant qu'organisme communautaire du secteur de la #santémentale le plus vaste et le mieux établi au Canada, l'ACSM fait la promotion de la santé mentale pour tous et toutes et soutient la résilience et le rétablissement des personnes qui ont un trouble mental.
Notre vision est celle d'un Canada où la santé mentale est un droit universel de la personne.
Peer Navigator (Self Help Peer Support and Mental Health & Justice)
Top Benefits
About the role
Posting Closes: December 4, 2025 at 5:00pm
About Us:
The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) provides a full care system for those with addictions, mental health or developmental needs. We serve everyone from children to adults to seniors, all under one roof. Our programs help individuals and families to lead lives filled with meaning and promise. We have 400 staff at offices in Cambridge, Waterloo, Kitchener, Guelph, Fergus, and Mount Forest.
We are fully accredited by Accreditation Canada and are proud of our Exemplary Status (the highest standing) received at our most recent accreditation exercise.
Why Join our Team:
Competitive Compensation and Benefits: Our compensation package includes a competitive salary and generous benefits supporting the wellness of our staff. We are proud to be members of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) offering one of Canada’s largest and most respected defined benefit plans.
Career Development Opportunities: Our wide range of services and supports allows for varied opportunities for career growth. Our multi-disciplinary approach to care offers cross collaboration and enhanced opportunities for learning. A formal succession planning process is key to our internal leadership recruitment.
Values that include: Mutual Respect, Accountability, Integrity and Excellence and Innovation and a culture that is welcoming and inclusive.
Commitment to Health and Safety: We have a strong health and safety culture at CMHA WW and work tirelessly to address the health and safety needs of staff and the people we serve.
The Opportunity:
We are recruiting for PEER NAVIGATOR (Self Help Peer Support and Mental Health & Justice)
- This is a regular full-time position (35 hours per week Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm with flexibility to meet service needs) based at 67 King St. E. Kitchener.
As part of an integrated team, the Peer Navigator’s core responsibility is to have a consistent presence in the community to provide walk-in support, and to support people who are part of the mental health and justice service. The Peer Navigator offers a unique, non-clinical perspective that provides people with mental health and addictions concerns a sense of hope and practical support as they move toward recovery. The person will have a demonstrated belief in the philosophy of recovery values and principles, and a commitment to a peer support approach and social justice through community integration, participation and inclusion. This position reports to the Manager, Self Help and Peer Support Services.
Qualifications:
- Personal lived experience with mental health and/or addiction issues relevant to the people supported and a willingness to use lived experience in this role
- Bachelor's degree or two year college diploma in social science or health related discipline
- Minimum of two years' experience providing any combination of a) peer support in a paid or volunteer role and or b) working in an addiction or mental health setting or related occupation such as community, social service worker, or equivalent experience
- Demonstrated understanding of recovery values, knowledge of peer support practices, trauma-informed practices and harm reduction theory and practices
- Experience in group facilitation skills and group development an asset
- Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team and take a team approach to supporting individuals
- Peer Support Canada Certification, or willingness to obtain
- Knowledge of the criminal justice system an asset
- Aligns with CMHA WW values of mutual respect, integrity, accountability and excellence and innovation and is a role model to our culture of Welcoming
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook and various database software
- Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle as travel is required
CLASSIFICATION AND RATE OF PAY: Level 4 (OPSEU) $29.29 to $35.56 per hour
Qualified applicants are invited to submit a resume and cover letter outlining how your skills, qualifications and experience meet the position requirements.
CMHA WW, as an equal opportunity employer, embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. We welcome applications from all qualified persons.
Experience
Required
- 2 year(s): Mental Health or Addictions
- 1 year(s): Peer Support
Education
Required
- College Diploma or better in Social Work or related field
About Canadian Mental Health Association
As the most established and extensive community #mentalhealth organization in Canada, the Canadian Mental Health Association promotes mental health for all and supports the resilience and recovery of those experiencing mental illness.
CMHA envisions a Canada where mental health is a universal human right.
En tant qu'organisme communautaire du secteur de la #santémentale le plus vaste et le mieux établi au Canada, l'ACSM fait la promotion de la santé mentale pour tous et toutes et soutient la résilience et le rétablissement des personnes qui ont un trouble mental.
Notre vision est celle d'un Canada où la santé mentale est un droit universel de la personne.