Identifying Information

Job Title:               Team Lead, Peer Support Services

Program Area:       Individual and Family Support Program

Job Level:              Program Team Lead

Reports to:            Manager, Individual and Family Support                  

Organization Summary  

CMHA-Edmonton is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure that all people experience good mental health and well-being. We increase awareness and understanding of mental health, mental illness, recovery, and suicide prevention through education. We support the resilience and recovery of people in distress including those affected by mental illness or suicide by providing crisis intervention; safe, long-term and affordable housing; peer support; suicide grief and family support; information and referral support; and providing opportunities to improve your wellness.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Individual and Family Support, the Team Lead, Peer Support Services is responsible for the operational oversight of the CMHA Edmonton Peer College and the Peer Support Workers as well as strategic planning related to existing and future peer support programming. The Team Lead is responsible for supporting excellence in peer support competencies that result in the delivery of hope based, positive, compassionate service, and strengths-based problem solving.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Edmonton Peer College
  • Co-develop with PWLE course curricula that promotes recovery, wellness, and resilience.
  • Promote Edmonton Peer College to prospective students through a multi-pronged approach.
  • Engage individual people with lived experience in planning for and achieving their Peer College peer support training goals.
  • Encourage people with lived experience to grow as students and become leaders – members of the Peer College “Faculty”.
  • Adapt Peer College training to meet the potential shifting needs of people with lived experience and opportunities for work or volunteering as they arise.
• Peer Support Services
  • Recruit, supervise, and support Peer Support Workers who will focus on independent living skills, system navigation, and social support.
  • Review and triage incoming CMHA-ER Helplines requests for peer services from people with lived experience wishing to access services, live well independently, achieve recovery and life goals, or build social relationships. Assign the Peer Support Worker caseloads.
  • Chair weekly Peer Support Worker Team meetings where updates, successes, challenges, and recovery strategies are discussed.
  • Meet regularly 1:1 with Peer Support Workers to check in and provide support in their roles.
• Warm Line Volunteers - People with lived experience
  • Oversee Warm Line Volunteers that connect with and support people with lived experience.
  • Ensure Warm Line Volunteers feel supported through check in and 1:1 meetings.

Administration

• Responsible for interviewing, hiring, scheduling, and supervising of Peer Support Workers and Peer College Facilitators
• Schedule course calendar year for Peer College
• Update and maintain learner database
• Completion of monthly and quarterly program reports and statistics
• Participate in and co-chair team meetings as required
• Collect, review and approve staff timesheets
• Maintain training materials and ensures they are kept relevant and up to date
• Recommend policy and procedure changes and updates to improve program performance
• Identify and support quality improvement initiatives through data, observation and feedback received from staff and clients – people with lived experience

Community/Stakeholder Relationships

• Assist with the development of engagement strategies with hard to reach and underserved groups
• Participate in coalition-building and networking with community groups and individuals to address common needs and issues, as required.
• Provide intra-agency presentations on Peer College, community services, CMHA services and the value of peer support, as required
• Remain current with new policies, training services, resources and legislation applicable to the mental health community and the peer movement.

Qualifications/Experience

CMHA-Edmonton recognizes that candidates all have different skills and experiences to offer. While we are highlighting desired qualifications in the following sections, it is not a checklist. We encourage everyone interested to apply and indicate how you would successfully take on the role even if you have unconventional experiences or qualifications.

• Post-secondary Diploma or Degree in a related Human Services program
• Completion of CMHA Calgary School of Peer Support or Peer Support Canada certification considered an asset
• Minimum of 2 years related experience preferably in peer support working with individuals with lived experience of mental health or addiction issues
• Lived experience of mental health or addiction issues
• MHFA and ASIST training is considered an asset
• Acceptable attainment and maintenance of a Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Check and an Intervention Record Check

Skills/Abilities

• Strong project management skills
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to design and implement processes
• Knowledge and skills of advocacy, empowerment, and mental health recovery principles
• Ability to work independently in a challenging environment, set priorities, meet deadlines and allocate time and resources effectively
• Organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office
• Ability to deal effectively with the public and community agencies and maintain good public relations

Required Training for the Position

Within the first 3 months of employment:

• Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training
• Discrimination and Harassment Training
• Diversity and Cross-Cultural Training
• Trauma Informed Care

Within the first 6 months of employment:

• First Aid
• Mental Health First Aid
• GBA+ Training