Peer Support Lead

CMHA Kelowna is hiring a Peer Support Lead. This position is 30 hours per week and includes weekly Wednesday evenings (4 – 6:30pm) and occasional weekend/evening courses based on need and circumstance.

WHO IS A PEER SUPPORT LEAD?

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 Support Lead is responsible for the delivery of the Peer Support Program, and the integration of Peers into Wellness programming at CMHA Kelowna. The Peer Support 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
• Lifelong learning and personal growth

WHAT DOES A PEER SUPPORT LEAD DO?

• Work closely with the Wellness Programs Lead to integrate peer support within the Wellness Development Centre and Discovery College;
• Supervise, support, and coach a team of volunteer Peer Supporters;
• Coordinate Peer Support Program activities including, but not limited to:
  • 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
  • Integrate Peers into Wellness Development Centre (WDC) programming
  • Discovery College Course co-production and co-facilitation

• Help to support the delivery of peer training, including helping to coordinate the training schedule, space, registration – focus will be on the assessing readiness/fit and onboarding of new Peer Supporter volunteers;
• Deliver training and book guest facilitators;
• Assess readiness/fit to continue as Peer Supporter volunteers;
• Facilitate orientation of new volunteers;
• Seek opportunities to strengthen, grow and enhance peer support and peer initiatives, empowerment and engagement within CMHA Kelowna;
• Report program performance of the Peer Support Program and ensure continual improvement;
• Collect and record data (quantitative and qualitative) as per contract guidelines;
• Prepare peer support program reports including quarterly, biannual, annual and impact reports;
• Co-facilitate courses within Discovery College, Peer School and other community settings needing mental health education and training;
• Collaborate with other Peer-led roles at CMHA Kelowna & Foundry Kelowna;
• 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 attuned to peer support advancements, research, policy, innovation and promising practices locally, provincially, nationally and globally;
• 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;
• Assist and support the delivery of WDC programming when required.

YOUR STRENGTHS & EXPERIENCE:

• Diploma/Degree in Human/Social Services plus two (2) years’ recent related experience working with individuals with mental health and substance use challenges/or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience;
• Demonstrated ability to plan, develop and implement programming or projects;
• Knowledge of the principles of recovery and willingness to share their own personal journey;
• Knowledge of peer-run programs and understanding of the value of peer/client involvement and empowerment;
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations and to recognize and respond appropriately to the needs of peers;
• Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate and co-lead training sessions and workshops;
• Skilled in facilitation and public speaking;
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a team;
• Ability to problem-solve and take initiative;
• Ability to deal with others effectively and resolve conflict;
• Lived/living experience with mental health challenge/substance use;
• Highly compassionate and excellent attention to detail;
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required.

WHO IS CMHA…?

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 looking for someone who shares 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. Like what you hear…fantastic, check us out: https://cmhakelowna.org/

CMHA KELOWNA OFFERS YOU…

• A competitive wage of 23.27/hr
• 12 sick days per year
• A work life balance that actually works with you
• A culture that embodies ‘walk the talk’ form our Leadership Team
• As a non-profit, we definitely empower our teams, be a part of something bigger…and learning and growing in an organization that fosters transparency and trust

To apply for this opportunity, please forward a cover letter and resume by July 19, 2022 to Tom Sakamoto, HR and Employee Experience Specialist – [email protected]

As an employer, CMHA Kelowna strives to create a workplace that respects and values all individuals, minimizes bias, and promotes the equity, diversity, and inclusion of different perspectives and ideas. At CMHA Kelowna, that means welcoming diversity in mental health, race, ethnicity, and culture. It also means diverse abilities, age, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, gender identities, education, marital status, language, and physical appearance. These values are embedded in the work CMHA Kelowna does every day.

We appreciate and thank all applicants for their interest, however only short-listed candidates and those legally eligible to work in Canada will be contacted.