Indigenous Peer Support Worker (Temporary, Part-Time)

Are you passionate about using your lived experience and cultural knowledge to support others?

The Indigenous Peer Support Worker reports to the Supervisor, Housing Program and works collaboratively with the Sanctuary Transitional Housing team to provide strengths-based, trauma-informed, individual, and family support for program tenants living in the Sanctuary Transitional Housing Program, ensuring they have the appropriate level of practical support for daily living. The Indigenous Peer Support Worker provide a range of non-clinical, peer-based services through sharing lived experiences of indigenous culture and traditions including assisting in the navigation of the mental health/substance use system, while providing individualized peer-based practical, emotional, cultural and social supports. This position assists to ensure a safe, balanced, and supportive environment for program tenants as they navigate living more independently. The job includes assisting with referrals; childminding; appointments; program activities, including assistance with daily routines; material needs as requested by the program tenants; and other tasks the tenants need help accomplishing. In addition, the Indigenous Peer Support Worker requires an Indigenous individual who can communicate and connect in a trauma-informed manner with program tenants, staff and community members.

This is a temporary part-time (30 hours per week) contract (10 months). The starting salary range for this position is $23.82 to $26.03 per hour.

Who We Are

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

• Provides culturally safe services to diverse populations, including Indigenous Peoples.


• Integrate own recovery process and Indigenous lived experience of the mental health system to support program tenants with their recovery journey while supporting each tenant as an individual with a unique recovery journey.


• Engage and build rapport with Indigenous program tenants, but not exclusively, from a peer perspective, including by fostering a climate of inclusion, grace and reconciliation.


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


• Provide instruction—including demonstration—to tenants for skills related to housekeeping, hygiene, cooking, laundry, safety, etc.


• Provide 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 duties.


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


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


• Take an active role in proactively and re-actively defusing and deescalating aggressive situations.


• Assist housing team with program tenants’ intakes and discharges and pest control preparation and process.

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

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


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


• Follow UGM processes and protocols in working with and including IRCS through UGM’s Matriarch and Elder.


• Adhere to all UGM published policies, practices and procedures, including Occupational Health and Safety.

KSA’s

• Mature individual, committed to and in agreement with UGM’s Mission Statement, Core Values and Statement of Faith.


• Indigenous ancestry/identity is a bona fide occupational requirement for this position: Only individuals who identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, Inuit) will be considered for this position.


• Willingness to share lived experience in a relevant and appropriate manner, maintaining peer/tenant boundaries.


• 2 years of related experience in abstinence-based housing.

• Other combinations of lived experience and education may be considered.


• Valid Class 5 drivers’ license.


• 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 multi-task 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 peoples; 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, but will work primarily daytime and evening shifts, with a mix of weekdays and weekends. 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.