Family Peer Support Worker – Full-Time (37.5 hours/week)
CMHA NORTH AND WEST VANCOUVER, In Collaboration with Foundry North Shore
Our vision: Mentally healthy people in a healthy society
The Family Peer Support Worker is a key member of the Foundry North Shore team, working in close collaboration with Foundry clinicians to support the wellness of families and caregivers. Drawing on their own lived or living experience of supporting a youth or young adult with mental health and/or substance use challenges, the Family Peer Support Worker provides peer-based emotional, social, and practical support.
This role supports Foundry Centre operations and helps families navigate services, access education and resources, and feel supported in their caregiving journey. Aligned with the values and principles of both CMHA and the Foundry Service Model, the Family Peer Support Worker fosters holistic family well-being by building respectful, collaborative relationships.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Provides direct on-site services to families and caregivers by providing support, guidance and mentorship, in the areas of information, navigation, education, resources and skill development, to support and engage families as expert partners in their co-developed wellness goals.
- Models hope and shares living/lived experiences and lessons learned to support families and caregivers in achieving individual and family health and wellness goals.
- Facilitates meaningful engagement (defined in Foundry’s youth and family engagement guide) and participation of families in focus groups, surveys, research, evaluation and other opportunities related to peer support to further build capacity and leadership.
- Works collaboratively as an advocate and liaison between caregiver/family member, youth, Centre staff and community partners.
- Collaborates with youth peer support workers at the Centre to optimize the youth, young adult and caregiver/family experience as it relates to the delivery of services.
- Facilitates peer support and educational groups to promote skill development and engagement, as well as foster peer-peer connection and networking opportunities.
- Supports the development of the Foundry peer support network on a provincial level including but not limited to, research, evaluation and quality improvement activities and participation in select provincial working groups.
- Participates as a team member, attending team meetings, case conferences, conference calls and other organizational activities.
- Leads monthly Family Ambassadors meeting.
- Completes and maintains related records and documentation including statistics, progress reports, care plans, and referrals; and other duties as assigned.
Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities
- Lived or living experience of supporting a youth or young adult with mental health and/or substance use challenges as a parent or guardian required.
- Diploma in a related human/social service field with a minimum of one-year relevant experience working with youth and young adults with mental health and/or substance use issues, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Completion or eligibility for completion of Foundry family peer support training.
- Strong relationship and rapport-building skills.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and work within personal and role-specific limits and boundaries.
- Knowledge of mental health and substance use resources and community services.
- Ability to work with diverse populations and recognize and respond appropriately to the needs of youth and families.
- Experience in facilitating workshops and group sessions is an asset.
- Lived experience of the mental health system gained as a parent or primary caregiver of a youth or young adult with mental health and/or substance use challenges.
- Basic computer skills; experience with Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint
Additional Requirements
- Clear Criminal Record Check.
- Current First Aid and CPR Certificate.
- Valid and unrestricted Class 5 BC Driver’s License with access to a safe and reliable vehicle.
Hours of Work and Considerations:
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with the exception of Thursdays. On Thursdays, the candidate is required to work an evening shift from 11am-7pm. All shifts include an unpaid 30-minute meal break.
Location: 211 W 1st St, North Vancouver, BC V7M 1C9
Salary: $28-$31 per hour depending on experience.
Benefits: 3 weeks of vacation and comprehensive extended health and dental benefits, including Health Spending Account, RRSP.
We are an equity employer and encourage applicants from women, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people, people of all sexual orientation and genders and others who may contribute to our further diversification.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $28.00-$31.00 per hour
Expected hours: 37.5 per week
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- RRSP match
Application question(s):
- Do you have lived experience of supporting a youth or young adult with mental health and/or substance use challenges as a parent or guardian?
Experience:
- peer support work: 1 year (preferred)
- group facilitation: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Class 5 Licence (required)
Location:
- North Vancouver, BC V7M 1B3 (preferred)
Work Location: In person
