Peer Support Worker

The Canadian Mental Health Association Across Manitoba is part of a 100-year-old nation-wide non-profit organization that promotes the mental health of Canadians and supports the resilience and recovery of people experiencing mental illness.

CMHA Across Manitoba has a full-time in-person position available for a Peer Support Worker to work within the Swan River location.

Collaborating with participants and the housing team, the Peer Support Worker supports individuals experiencing mental illness, addictions, and homelessness to choose, obtain, and maintain housing of their choice within the community. The primary focus of this position is teaching and developing practical life skills that support participants in living independently, maintaining stable housing, and building greater confidence and self-sufficiency. This includes working directly with participants to develop everyday skills and routines needed to successfully manage their homes and daily lives.
In addition to life-skills development, the Peer Support Worker conducts outreach, builds supportive relationships, provides emotional and peer support, connects participants with appropriate community resources, assists with recovery planning, and contributes to the rehabilitation process by acting as a liaison between participants and their environment.

The hourly rate for this position falls within Band 3 of the Collective Agreement, ranging from $22.51 to $28.34 per hour, based on a 35-hour workweek. Hours may be adjusted to include evenings and weekends when necessary.

• High school graduation with preference for a diploma, certificate, or coursework in social work, education or psychology.

• One year experience in a community-based social service setting (mental health, addiction, housing).

• Willing to share personal lived experience of recovery with homelessness, mental health, and/or addiction issues.

• Knowledge of poverty, homelessness, mental health, addictions, and related systems and community services.

• Knowledge of issues related to poverty, homelessness, mental health, addictions, and related systems and community services.

• Knowledge of Indigenous experiences of trauma and colonization and of cultural healing practices and resources.

• Engagement and communication skills.

• Provided criminal record check with vulnerable sector search and both an adult and child abuse registry check, with results deemed satisfactory to the CMHA.

• Legally entitled to work in Canada.

• Proven history of dependable performance and conduct.

• Valid Class 5 driver’s license and access to a reliable, Manitoba registered vehicle.

• Empathy, understanding, and peer support skills.

• Skills in assisting, communicating, problem-solving, advocacy, and time management.

• Demonstrated competence in cultural safety and works effectively with individuals with various cultural backgrounds.

• Peer Support Certification or a willingness to pursue certification.