Youth Peer Support Worker

CMHA Kelowna & District is hiring aterm Youth Peer Support Worker to join the Foundry Kelowna team for 12-months.

The position offers 37.5 hours per week, with a typical work week of Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm with a monthly shift variant of extended hours on Thursdays from 11:00am-7:00pm.

WHO IS A YOUTH PEER SUPPORT WORKER?
The Youth Peer Support Worker plays a vital role in the Foundry Kelowna team, leveraging their lived experience to create a youth-centered, low-barrier service for young peopleseeking support. This position emphasizes fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment while assisting youth and young adults with service navigation,resource information, and connection to community resources. The Youth Peer Support Worker offers peer-based mentoring, emotional support, and engages incollaborative efforts with youth and care team members.

WHAT DOES A YOUTH PEER SUPPORT WORKERDO?

Create and maintain a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for youth

Establishpurposeful relationships with young people, promoting their engagement and participation in services

Provide guidance and mentorship, assisting youth with resource navigation and accessing services

Support youth in daily living activities, including time management, organization, and interpersonal communication

Accompany youth to communityappointments and advocate on their behalf

Facilitate youth engagement infocus groups, workshops, and surveys to amplify their voices and experiences

Provide support to reduce youthdistress, improve functioning, and promote independence

Act as aliaison between Foundry Kelowna, youth, and external support network

Lead orco-facilitate group services focused on skills development and mental healthrecovery

Plan,coordinate, and participate in recreational and social activities for youth

Facilitate peer support meetings and activities, promoting a recovery-oriented approach

Work collaboratively with care team members to meet established goals and objectives

Maintain accurate records and documentation, including statistics and progress reports

Participate in team meetings, training sessions, and organizational initiatives

Performs other related duties as assigned

YOUR

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

Grade 12education or equivalent required

Lived experience of overcomingsignificant life challenges, completion of (or eligibility for) recognizedyouth peer support training, and willingness to share recovery experiences

Criminal Record Check clearance in the Vulnerable Sector

Ability tomeet clients in the community on a frequent basis

Valid Class 5 BC driver’s license considered an asset

Experience working with youth/young adults with mental healthand/or substance use issues considered an asset

Certificate sin First Aid, CPR and Naloxone considered an asset

Ability to build rapport and maintain therapeutic relationships with diverse youth populations

Strong empathy and active listening skills to foster trust and connection

Self-awareness and capacity toapply appropriate boundaries while maintaining confidentiality

Advocacy skills for self andothers, promoting positive change and independence

Proficient in basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Experience using case management systems

Broad knowledge of social,mental health, and substance use services in the community

Ability to gather, process, and analyze information to inform service delivery

Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills to address youth needs effectively

Ability to observe and recognize changes in youth behavior and communicate these to the care team

Organizational skills to manage time effectively and maintain accountability and reliability

Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills

Ability tobe regularly exposed to individuals who…