This position reports to the Supervisor, Housing Program and works collaboratively with the Sanctuary Transitional Housing team to provide strengths-based, gender and trauma-informed support to program tenants living in the Sanctuary Transitional Housing Program. This non-judgmental support helps ensure women and children in our transitional housing program have the appropriate level of practical support for daily living based on unique and individual needs. The Peer Support Worker provides a range of non-clinical, peer-based services through sharing lived experiences including assisting in the navigation of the mental health/substance use system, while providing individualized peer-based practical, emotional and social encouragement and support. This position assists to ensure a safe, balanced, and supportive environment for program tenants as they navigate living more independently and includes assisting with referrals; parenting support; appointments; program activities, assistance with daily routines and helping tenants identify needs and goals.

This is a permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week) position . The starting range for this position is $23.82 to $26.03 per hour.

Who We Are (external only)

Demonstrating the love of Christ, UGM feeds hope and changes lives through a faith-based continuum of care. We are a proud member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities and have earned the Best Christian Workplace award again in 2021. We provide competitive salaries, generous vacation and sick leave, an RRSP matching program, as well as the potential for educational assistance and flexible work arrangements. In addition, our extensive benefits plan is fully employer-paid and includes extended dental and medical, as well as $4,500 per year in pooled paramedical expenses. A focus on employee resilience, support for professional development, engagement in meaningful work, and a fun and caring environment are all part of being a member of the UGM team. If you are someone who desires to learn and grow, has a passion to serve and make a difference, and connects with others with both humility and humour, then you will be a great fit at UGM.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Integrate personal recovery journey and lived experience to support program tenants with their unique recovery and life journey, including navigating the medical and mental health systems.

• Engage and build rapport with program tenants from a peer perspective including by fostering a climate of inclusion, patience and compassion.

• Support the program tenants by attending various appointments, providing referrals, and helping with the acquisition of material needs and services in the community, including advocacy.

• Provide role modelling and support to tenants for skills related to home management, cleaning, hygiene, cooking, laundry, safety, etc.

• Provide some care for infants and children at the request of—and in the presence of—program tenants, including holding, feeding, and changing, etc., in order to support them as they attend to household tasks.

• Facilitate and implement various recovery-oriented and peer led groups with program tenants and alumnae.

• Help organize and participate in Housing and Aftercare program activities, offering ideas and resources when appropriate.

• Support the team in proactively and re-actively defusing and deescalating challenging situations, while communicating and connecting in a trauma-informed manner with program tenants, staff and community members.

• Assist the housing team with tenant intakes, discharges and pest control preparation and process.

• Perform all duties as directed to promote and encourage tenant independence, tenant hope, and tenant self-determination.

• Report any concerns related to recovery, safety, housing, or building policy concerns to the Supervisor, Housing Program.

• Assist other Women & Families team members with Program Tenant wellness checks when necessary.

• Participate in staff meetings, training, and spiritual development opportunities, and perform other duties as required by your supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Mature individual, committed to and in agreement with UGM’s Mission Statement, Core Values and Statement of Faith.
• Personal lived experience with substance use and/or mental health challenges
• Willingness to share lived experience in a relevant and appropriate manner, maintaining peer/tenant boundaries.
• 2 years of related experience in recovery oriented programs and/or housing.
• Knowledge of recovery principles, harm reduction principles and practice, and substance use survivor initiatives, goals and resources
• Other combinations of lived experience and education may be considered.
• A valid Class 5 driver’s license is an asset.
• Food Safe Certificate is preferred.
• At least 20 hours of training in one or more of these subjects: counselling; crisis and conflict resolution; psychosocial intervention for substance use and concurrent disorders; and trauma-informed practice.
• Basic computer skills (Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Ability to multitask and work well under pressure, and function independently.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality within the organization and its clientele.
• Experience with Indigenous clients; working in a multi-ethnic and socially diverse community is an asset.
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing and stages of change is preferred.
• Willing to complete UGM’s Non-Violent Crisis Intervention course and all other mandatory training.
• Technical Competency—Trauma-Informed Care (Level 1): Help identify negative events that have impacted the client’s functioning, and develop interventions that emphasize safety, choice, and personal control.

Working Conditions

• Work Location

Work is generally performed indoors, with up to 65% of the time spent outdoors in all types of weather.

• Physical Requirements

Work fluctuates between sedentary and active, but may require standing, walking or reaching for up to 90% of the time. Employee is required to look at a computer screen and use a keyboard for up to 30% of the time. Must be able to lift up to 35lbs occasionally.

• Work Conditions

Working environment is generally favorable. Lighting and temperature are adequate. Work is performed amid normal conditions of dust, odors, fumes, and noises. Frequent environmental exposures to cold, heat, and water. This position is required to work in an environment often dealing with clients in crisis situations brought about by diverse problems. The ability to function independently and frequently under pressure, while managing multiple concurrent tasks including emergency situations is an ongoing expectation of this position.

• Hours of Work

This position will be a part of a team within a 24-hour facility, with a weekly schedule of 1-9pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and 8am-4pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Statutory holiday work will be required. Some work on scheduled days off and/or moderate overtime may be required.

• Hazards

Job requires frequent interaction with the public some of whom may be upset, abusive, and/or violent. Job requires working frequently with people in unhealthy conditions and may include exposure to bodily fluids, lice and bedbugs. Employee is required to hear information about clients’ lives which may be troubling or upsetting, and may cause emotional issues including vicarious trauma.

• Other

Due to the nature of the job, and our commitment to a safe environment, the candidate is subject to a criminal record check and must submit a current Driver’s Abstract.