Direct Service – (OPSEU)

Part-Time, Contract (Approximately 9 months) 

London, Ontario (London Zone)

- Application Deadline: November 27, 2024 -

Peer support is a powerful opportunity for a person living with a mental health need, addiction challenge and history of chronic homelessness and survival sex work to connect with someone who has experienced a similar challenge and has gone through their own wellness and recovery journey. The expertise and lived experience of the Peer Support Worker can give the peer a unique perspective on supporting a personal sense of wellness and recovery. The commonality of, “I get it. I have been there too,” can build an authentic, therapeutic rapport of empowerment and hope.

As an Addiction and Mental Health Worker, Peer Support you’ll be part of a Housing First team within a community-based program to support peers working towards wellness, using your own lived experience to facilitate community integration and provide individualized support.
 

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 $26.74 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($29.57 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 ($33.90 per hour for non-regulated, and $36.71 per hour for regulated)
  • For internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
• When you'll work – 10 hours over two-week period; Scheduled between Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
• What your benefits will be – you will receive 9% in lieu of benefits
• Your pension plan – Immediately eligible for optional enrollment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
   

HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:

Direct Service:

• Utilize own lived experience (intentionally sharing own path to wellness and self-discovery as well as knowledge of services and potential resources) to support participants in their journey.
• Practice and model the values, evidence-based core competencies, and standards of practice endorsed by Peer Support Canada
• 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 social/support/life skills activities based on recovery and wellness principles for participants in community
• Provide active, supportive listening and assistance with wellness planning, including support with advocacy as needed
• Ensure compliance with agency Privacy, Confidentiality, and Code of Ethics policies and procedures, as well as the Peer Support Canada Code of Conduct
• Identify and respond to the concerns of peers experiencing mental illness, substance abuse, trauma and/or homelessness
• Assist peers to connect to other community resources through experiential knowledge
• Ensure activities provide a safe and accepting space where peers can gather to support themselves and each other in a mutually beneficial way

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:

Police Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements

Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 2 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.

We require the following qualifications:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent/related experience (Primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process, i.e. an original degree/diploma/certificate or official transcript; for ongoing education, an unofficial transcript will be accepted)
• Lived experience of mental illness, and/or addictions, and/or homelessness, and/or survival sex work 
• A willingness to share one’s own personal journey, for the purpose of assisting clients in their recovery
• Completed peer support training, education, or certification through Peer Support Canada, PeerWorks, Support House, etc., or equivalent, an asset
• Training in wellness and recovery interventions
• Active member of the SLWAR Women’s Advisory Group
• Clear, current Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
• Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly

We prefer the following qualifications:

• Experience working with individuals living with mental illness and/or addictions/problematic substance use, especially in a peer support capacity
• Crisis Specific Peer Support: Experience accessing crisis and emergency services for mental health and/or addictions related reasons (preferred)
• Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada

INTERNAL APPLICANTS: To be considered as an internal applicant, current staff members are reminded to apply using their @cmhatv.ca or @slwar.ca email address.

Get your application in by – November 27, 2024:

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 [email protected]