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.

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 people seeking 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.

• Create and maintain a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for youth
• Establish purposeful 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 community appointments and advocate on their behalf
• Facilitate youth engagement infocus groups, workshops, and surveys to amplify their voices and experiences
• Provide support to reduce youth distress, 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 health recovery
• 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

• Grade 12education or equivalent required
• Lived experience of overcoming significant life challenges, completion of (or eligibility for) recognized youth 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…