Founded in 1956, the Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna and District (CMHA Kelowna) is part of Canada’s oldest national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, CMHA helps people access the community resources they need to build resilience and support recovery from mental illness.

At CMHA Kelowna, we are dedicated to Mental Health in our community. No matter how old or how young, we provide support for families and individuals through programs that promote positive mental health and support recovery, while championing the elimination of barriers that can prevent people from thriving. We are a dynamic, innovative and visionary organization. We are seeking individuals who share our vision of a mentally healthy Kelowna and are passionate about making a difference in our community by bringing their particular expertise to our organization.

We are looking to identify exceptional candidates for a Peer Lead position in our Discovery College program. This is a full-time position offering 32 hours per week, Monday to Thursday. Ideal candidates will share our vision of a mentally healthy Kelowna and are passionate about making a difference in our community by bringing their particular expertise to our organization.  This is a one-year maternity coverage position. 

CMHA Kelowna is a community and regional leader in peer support service delivery and development of policy, practice, training and tools. Building from this strong foundation, the Peer Lead is responsible for the delivery of the Peer Support Program, Peer & Practice School and the ongoing growth and enhancement of peer empowerment, engagement and support within CMHA Kelowna & district. The Peer Lead promotes the principles of peer support which guide all CMHA Kelowna Wellness Programs: Hope and Recovery; Self-determination and Equality; Empathic and Equal Relationships; Dignity, Respect and Social Inclusion; Integrity, Authenticity, and Trust; Health and Wellness; and Lifelong Learning and Personal Growth.        

FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work closely with the Wellness Development Centre Lead and the Discovery College Lead to integrate peer support with the Wellness Development Centre and Discovery College;
• Coordinate and facilitate the Peer & Practice School:
  • Promote & Recruit 3 targeted streams:
    • individuals with lived experience
    • loved ones: parent/family/friend
    • helping professionals
  • Arrange training schedule, space, registration
  • Deliver training and book guest facilitators
  • Assess readiness/fit to continue as peer supporter volunteers
  • Facilitate orientation of new volunteers
  • Coordinate practicum opportunities
  • Organize graduation
  • Support the exploration and development of a social enterprise venture within the Peer & Practice School; i.e. fee for service stream for frontline helping professionals in settings such as supportive housing;
• Facilitate courses within Discovery College, Peer & Practice School and other community settings needing mental health education and training;
• Coordinate Peer Support program activities including, but not limited to:
  • Discovery College course co-production and co-facilitation
  • Engagement calls to Discovery College registrants
  • One to one or small group peer mentoring
  • Peer support group Facilitator –Mon and Wed
  • Program info group facilitator (orientations, McNair)
  • Community activity group facilitator (e.g. Anne McClymont Elementary);
• Supervise, support and coach a team of volunteer peer supporters:
  • Enhance volunteer peer supporter personal empowerment and growth, leadership skills, positive interpersonal relationships and communication through activities, workshops, ongoing communication and other strategic approaches;
• Stay informed and maintain contact with key community supports and services for peer supporter volunteers and peers to ensure quality care on an as needed basis;
• Promote peer support, engagement and inclusion principles, the Peer Support Program and Peer & Practice School within the community and market for participant involvement;
• Stay attuned to peer support advancements, research, policy, innovation and promising practices locally, provincially, nationally and globally;
• Seek opportunities to strengthen, grow and enhance peer support, empowerment and engagement within CMHA Kelowna (e.g. Foundry, supportive housing programs, homelessness services) and within the Central Okanagan district;
• Measure and report program performance of Peer & Practice School and Peer Support Program and ensure continual improvement:
  • Collect and record data (quantitative and qualitative)
  • Prepare a variety of reports including quarterly, bi-annual, annual and impact reports;
• Manage Peer Support budget; 

EDUCATION, TRAINING, & EXPERIENCE:

• A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in the field of social science or mental health;
• 3 years of recent, related experience working within a complex environment and experience in program coordination and/or development;
• Personal lived experience of a mental health challenge;
• Experience in interacting with and developing relationships with peers and people with lived experience of mental illness and substance use;
• Extensive facilitation experience;
• Experience facilitating mental health education and training preferred;
• Excellent communication and coordination skills required;
• Indigenous cultural competency and trauma-informed practice training an asset;
• Knowledge of peer support, engagement, empowerment and inclusion best practices preferred.

To apply for this exciting new position, please forward a cover letter and resume by August 30^th, 2019 to John West, Human Resources Coordinator @ john.west@cmha.bc.ca outlining your passion for creating a mentally healthy Kelowna.

CMHA is an equity employer and encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people, people of all sexual orientation and genders, and others who may contribute to our further diversification.

We appreciate and thank all applicants for their interest, however only short-listed candidates will be contacted.