Peer Health Worker Family Shelter

Temporary Full-Time | 1 year term | Monday through Friday | 37.5 hours per week
Pay Rate: $21.30 per hour + 2% in lieu of benefits

Increasing clients' awareness and knowledge of health-related topics, and fostering their comfort in accessing health programs and services; ultimately empowering them to seek these resources independently.

• Build Rapport – Foster a safe and supportive environment for service users through non-judgmental, experience-based oversight, support, and counseling.
• Provide Tailored Support – Offer flexible support that is customized to the unique needs of each service user, advocating for their well-being.
• Listening and Problem-Solving – Offer attentive listening and support in resolving challenges faced by service users.
• Referrals and Advocacy – Provide referrals to additional services as needed and assist clients in navigating community health and social services through advocacy and guidance.
• Share Information – Disseminate up-to-date information about local substance use trends and practices to coworkers and peers.
• Facilitate Access to Resources – Ensure clients can access a wide array of health and community resources by providing information and making referrals.
• Promote Community Connection – Reduce isolation among clients by facilitating relationships and connecting them to their communities.
• Reporting – Prepare detailed reports for funders, ensuring accurate and comprehensive documentation of services provided.
• Professional Development – Participate in professional development opportunities in consultation with the program supervisor.
• Engage in Meetings – Participate in client and staff meetings, as well as other relevant committees, to support service delivery and contribute to organizational goals.
• Data Collection and Research – Collect, analyze, and report data to support ongoing research and service evaluation.
• Health and Well-Being – Operate from a Social Determinants of Health perspective to enhance individual health outcomes and contribute to the community's overall health and well-being.
• Quality Improvement – Work independently and collaboratively on quality improvement initiatives and activities.
• Self-Reflection and Accountability – Demonstrate self-reflection and personal accountability for work performance, ensuring continuous growth and effectiveness.

• Current knowledge of local health and community resources.
• Ability to develop meaningful relationships and provide effective support.
• Capacity to maintain professional boundaries within supportive relationships.
• Lived experience of homelessness.
• Acceptance of individual differences and a commitment to practicing harm reduction.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to produce detailed, timely reports on all shifts.

• Valid Standard First Aid and CPR-Level C certification and an up-to-date Vulnerable Sector Record Check (required).
• Training certificates in crisis prevention and intervention (asset).
• Vaccine Verification – As a condition of employment you are required to provide confirmation that you are vaccinated against COVID-19 or have proof of valid exemption satisfactory to the employer. You must acknowledge and agree to comply with any future vaccine policy requirements as an ongoing condition of employment at the YW Kitchener-Waterloo.