Family Strengthening Peer Suport Worker

KʷU KʷLIW̓T L̓ NQMAPLQS | WE LIVE AT HEAD OF THE LAKE

Located within the unceded territory of the syilx people, the Okanagan Indian Band is comprised of six reserves located in the North Okanagan.

Come join the OKIB Team and enjoy all that the beautiful Okanagan Valley has to offer, including a great climate, stunning scenery, world-class ski resorts, golf courses, wineries and beaches.

The OKIB offers a welcoming team environment and a rewarding job experience. You can expect a supportive work environment and a total compensation package which includes:

• 3 Weeks’ Vacation Pay

• Extended Health and Dental Benefits

• Employer Matched Pension Plan

• 15 Statutory Holidays

• Paid Winter Holiday Break

• Cultural Leave

• Discounted Silver Star lift passes

• Retention Bonuses after years of service

• 15 Paid Sick Days

• Paid Personal Leave

• Employee Assistance Program

• Professional Development Opportunities

Hours of work**: 37.5 hours per week**

Start Date: ASAP

Deadline for applications**: January 4, 2026**

JOB SUMMARY
The Peer Support Worker brings lived experience as a parent or caregiver and offers hope, mentorship, and culturally grounded guidance to other families. This role supports the Family Strengthening team by engaging families in community wellness activities and walking alongside them in their healing journeys.

The Family Strengthening Peer Support Worker provides compassionate, culturally sensitive, and strengths-based support to families navigating life challenges. This entry level role focuses on building trust, offering emotional support, and connecting families to community resources. The worker draws on personal or shared lived experience to foster resilience and promote family wellness.

REPORTING STRUCTURE
Reports to the Family Strengthening Team Lead.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Offer compassionate, non-judgmental support and encouragement based on lived experience as a parent, caregiver, or individual who has navigated similar challenges

• Provide a sense of hope, belonging, and cultural identity for families facing hardship or isolation

• Support parents in rebuilding confidence, setting goals, and navigating life changes

• Meet families where they are—whether at home, in the community, or during events, to build trusting relationships

• Assist in promoting family wellness activities, traditional teachings, and parenting support groups

• Provide transportation, accompaniment, or support with appointments as needed (e.g., health, court, housing)

• Promote healing by encouraging participation in cultural and/or land-based activities.

• Help connect families to language programs, traditional parenting knowledge, and local supports

• Work closely with the Family Strengthening Workers to identify families in need of peer mentorship

• Attend team meetings and training sessions to share insights from a lived experience perspective

• Help reduce stigma and misunderstanding around mental health, substance use, and family involvement with child and family services.

• Maintain healthy boundaries, confidentiality, and self-care practices

• Engage in peer support supervision, debriefing, and reflective practice

• Adhere to CFS values, code of conduct, and Indigenous ethics of relational accountability

• Perform all duties & responsibilities in accordance with the OKIB policies & procedures

• All persons employed by the OKIB may be required to assist the Band in providing emergency services. Duties assigned during an emergency may differ from regular duties

• Participates in community events as requested

• Performs other duties as required

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR
You have education, experience, or an equivalent combination may be considered. You are community-minded, detail-oriented, have a willingness to contribute to a team and an excellent communicator.

Education

• Diploma in a Social Services program and successful completion of a recognized Peer Support Training program preferred

• Certificates in Mental Health First Aid, CPR or willingness to obtain

• Valid BC Driver’s licence, Class 5 and reliable vehicle

• Valid Criminal record Check with vulnerable Sector Check

• Consideration will be given to those with a combination of education and experience

Experience

• Lived experience navigating child and family services, parenting challenges, or recovery

• Computer skills including the ability to operate spreadsheet and word-processing programs

• Experience working with confidential information

• Knowledge of local community resources and services

• Experience working with First Nations communities

Competencies (KSAs & Desired Attributes)

• Possesses cultural appropriateness and sensitivity towards OKIB and Community

• Willingness to work with diverse First Nations populations with Mental Health and Substance Use related issues and to recognize and respond appropriately to the needs of the peers and clients – in support of local First Nations communities and their Mental Health and Wellness teams

• Willingness to learn and share with client and colleagues:

  • principles of recovery in mental illness and crisis intervention
  • peer-run programs
  • Mental Health and Substance Use, recovery principles and treatment including methadone and suboxone
  • Mental health and addictions resources and community services that can be recommended to clients
  • Knowledge and skills of advocacy, empowerment, and mental health recovery principles

• Ability to understand and follow a strength-based approach for sharing challenges and co-creating solutions

• Ability to adjust to new or unexpected events, analyze complex situations, problem-solve, think critically and deal effectively with conflict situations

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, facilitate and monitor program progress across the sub-region

• Ability to provide direction and demonstrated ability of facilitation skills

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing

• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others

• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position

• Team oriented approach to leadership and a commitment to a peer driven process

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a virtual interdisciplinary team.

• Values and recognizes diversity among First Nation, Inuit and Metis communities including differently abled and LGBTQ2S populations

CLASSIFICATION/PAY SCALE
$28.00 - $31.00/hour dependant on education and experience

Please send resume, cover letter and references in any one of two ways:

Email: recruiting@okanagan.org
Mail or drop off: 12420 Westside Road, Vernon, BC V1H 2A4
If you have accessibility needs, please contact Hollie Lachuk @ 250-542-4328 ext. 1011

The successful applicant will be required to provide a Criminal Record Check that includes the vulnerable sector and three references

Preference will be given to qualified Aboriginal Applicants as per section 41 of the Human Rights Code.

Education : Other trades certificate or diploma

Experience : 1 year to less than 2 years