ABOUT US

St. Leonard’s Community Services Brantford has been an established part of the community for more than 50 years, and is accredited for our excellence in serving children, youth, adults, and families.

Our Values

These aren’t just “lip-service” to us – we work and live by them.  If you do, too, we want to talk to you!

• Inclusive – we value everyone and their unique perspectives and journeys
• Compassionate – we care about our clients, our staff, partners, and the communities we serve
• Collaborative – we work together to support our clients and community
• Integrity – we hold ourselves accountable and are fair, trustworthy, and dedicated to our mission to empower people to achieve their vision of independence, health, and wellbeing
• Innovative – we are open to change and continuous improvement
• Genuine – we are honest, respectful, and authentic with our clients, each other, and our partners
• Optimistic – we believe that everyone can accomplish their goals 

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Peer Support Worker (Outreach) employ a strengths-based approach to supporting individuals with addictions and mental health issues. You are part of a collaborative team that provides proactive outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness or who are street-involved. The team will access multiple touchstone physical locations, such as shelters, as well as operate in a mobile capacity in and around Brantford’s downtown. You play a vital role on this team, drawing on your own personal lived experience with addictions, mental health and/or homelessness, to build supportive relationships. Vulnerable persons of all ages would be served by the outreach team. You make a difference!                          

In the Peer Support Worker (Outreach) role, you will:

• Develop relationship and rapport through person-centred interaction
• Provide resources related to basic needs (i.e. food, water, clothing)
• Provide information and insight into health and social service supports
• Help individuals navigate and connect to desired services
• Distribute safer substance use and naloxone kits (including coaching on how to use)
• Do in-reach into transitory services (i.e. hospital and withdrawal management) to support clients
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary outreach team members
• Collect data to support reporting and advocacy for sustainable resources

Hours of work: 37.5 hours weekly. Monday to Friday, with the possibility of evenings should the need arise for in-reach or outreach function.

Contract ends: March 31, 2024

Training: Initial comprehensive training related to all aspects of the role, as well as access to ongoing professional development

A note about COVID-19:  Our Agency is committed to the safety of staff. We are following Public Health guidance on precautions regarding use of Personal Protective Equipment, screening of staff and clients, physical distancing, cleaning, hand hygiene, and testing.  If you are selected for an interview, we will answer any questions you may have on the precautions currently in place.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Annual salary: starting at $43,388 plus shift premiums and benefits

The Perks

• A Fitness Benefit for gym memberships, exercise equipment and lessons for various physical activities for all staff and their families
• An Employee Assistance Plan for all staff and their families
• Paid Time Off for all staff including Wellness Hours
• Fun events for all staff
• Participation in RSP/TFSA plans for all staff, with Agency pension match for Full Time and eligible Part Time staff
• Group health, vision, dental and travel insurance plans where premiums are 100% paid by the Agency for Full Time staff
• An Agency committed to ensuring your physical and mental health/safety is paramount

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Have personal experience with substance use and/or mental health, including accessing the system of care
• Have a college diploma in any field
• Be a positive role model, sharing what allowed you to achieve your recovery goals
• Have access to reliable transportation
• Be able to manage frequent exposure to vicarious trauma and occasional exposure to direct trauma
• Provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19

Start date: as soon as possible

St. Leonard’s Community Services Inc. is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  We acknowledge that we live and work on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wyandot, the Haudenosaunee, and some of the Ojibwa Nation.  The territory is mutually covered by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant.  We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this community, on this territory.  We also acknowledge that the settler population has been able to benefit from this beautiful land.  We are all treaty members and will strive to act in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and center their voices.

The Agency values the diverse and intersectional identities of its clients and staff.  The Agency regards equity and diversity as an integral part of excellent community service and is committed to accessibility for all staff.  The Agency seeks applicants who embrace our values and beliefs around respect for the dignity and diversity of our clients, staff, and community.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit/Inuk, Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

The Agency encourages applications from all qualified individuals.  If you are an applicant with disabilities and require accommodations, please let us know at the time of our contact so that we may arrange for their provision.

Personal information submitted will only be used for the purposes of the competition in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.