Job Description

Do you have lived experience navigating mental health, housing instability, or systemic barriers, and a desire to support others on their own path? Have you supported individuals through recovery, empowerment, or re-connection with community? Are you adaptable, compassionate, and grounded, even when things move quickly? If this sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you!


The Alex is a beacon of hope for Calgary's most vulnerable citizens, offering wrap-around health care, housing, social, and wellness programs. With a patient and client-centered approach, we envision a community where every individual is valued and empowered to thrive. Our mission is to improve quality of life through accessible and integrated health, housing, and social services. With five decades of experience, we have earned a reputation for tackling tough health and social issues, guiding individuals on their journey from crisis to wellness, and from challenge to change.


Reporting to the Social, Team Lead and working collaboratively with the broader team of professionals at The Alex, the Peer Support Worker (PSW) draws upon their own lived experience to encourage and empower individuals who are living with addictions, mental health, physical health, and social complexities. This role will be the first point of contact for young people visiting The Alex Youth Health Centre's drop-in space. The Peer Support Worker will provide immediate assistance for clients to access basic needs, and support to navigate health and social supports. Additionally, this role will support programs, appointments, engage community members, and respond to critical incidents.


This is a

permanent, full-time

position.

Key Responsibilities:

Collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team of professionals to provide culturally appropriate, holistic, episodic health care to vulnerable populations in our community. Contribute to the development and enhancement of programs at The Alex Youth Health Centre. Ensure clients and professionals are welcomed promptly, appropriately, and are supported effectively. Provide support during crisis/emergency situations by utilizing de-escalation techniques and/or motivational interviewing skills as appropriate. Offer an empathetic, listening ear to clients. Engage in supportive conversation with clients to explore, coordinate, advocate and connect to internal and external services and resources designed to meet the clients' needs. Be a creative problem solver and have the ability to think outside the box in order to help clients achieve success where they formerly have not. Assist clients with needs related to housing, entitlements/benefits, employment, education, and community integration. Provide client-centered and culturally informed services. Support and assist with group programming for participants and staff relevant to lived experience. Complete data collection and documentation with precision, adhering to agency policies and procedures. Support and attend client appointments on and off site. Maintain client confidentiality and clear boundaries. Represent the program and the agency in the community in a professional manner. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

Completion of the CMHA Calgary School of Peer Support course considered a strong asset. Demonstrated commitment in peer support context working with individuals with health concerns, which may include and focus on mental health, substance use, poverty, homelessness and food insecurity. Lived experience navigating the health and social care systems is an asset. Superior engagement skills and excitement for new opportunities. Base level computer skills. Comfortable working independently and as a part of a team. Ability to contribute to a positive work environment and team culture. High level of initiative and self-motivation. Flexible and adaptable. High level of self-awareness. Determined and committed to excellence. Training in any of the following is considered an asset: Applied Suicide Intervention Training, Mental Health First Aid, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, and Motivational Interviewing Working knowledge base of local resources for housing, mental health, addiction, community support, finances, etc. Class 5 driver's license, personal vehicle for business use, clean 3-year drivers abstract, and $2 million liability coverage are required. First Aid (Basic or Intermediate) - Level C CPR & AED within 30 days of hire date; certification must be valid for a minimum of 6 months upon hire. A satisfactory vulnerable sector criminal record clearance and child welfare intervention check are required. Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action is an asset.

Work Environment and Hours:

Both outreach and in-office (2840-2 Ave SE, Calgary, AB) components. 1.0 FTE (37.5 hours per week) This is a permanent, full-time position. Standard hours: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday; some flexibility in schedule may be required and available. Continuous extended periods of sitting, with some standing and walking. Occasional travel/driving as part of work duties. Occasional physical action requires the ability to bend/crouch, reach above shoulder height, kneel/crawl, and carry objects (less than 20 lbs) frequently throughout the shift. Occasional time outside in all weather conditions.

Driving on behalf of The Alex:

This position requires the use of a personal vehicle for work-related purposes. Candidates must show proof of a class 5 driver's license, a personal vehicle, and a clean 3-year drivers abstract. Candidates must also agree to maintain $2 million liability insurance on their personal vehicle, and consent to the possibility of an annual driver's abstract review to meet our insurance provider's requirements. Mileage will be reimbursed in alignment with the CRA guidelines.

Benefits:

Some of the great benefits The Alex has to offer include:

3-weeks' vacation Medical and Dental Coverage Health / Wellness Spending Accounts RRSP and/or Student Loan Repayment Program and/or Mortgage Repayment Accelerator Program (up to 5% match) Personal Days Floating Holiday Sick/Wellness Days Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) Professional Development

How to apply:

If you are as passionate as we are about making a difference in people's lives, please visit our career centre: Jobs at The Alex | The Alex.


This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We will make every effort to accommodate candidate's schedules and needs in all parts of the hiring process.


The Alex is committed to embedding the principles of equity, inclusion, and diversity across the organization. We are committed to removing barriers to employment that are faced by equity-seeking groups and encourage (but not require) members of these groups to self-identify as such in their cover letters.


In accordance with our strategic priorities, we particularly encourage applications from individuals who self-identify as racializedor Indigenous (First Nation, Metis, or Inuit).
The term "racialized" is used here instead of the more outdated and inaccurate terms "racial minority, "visible minority", "person of colour", or "non-White".

For further information about The Alex and its programs, we encourage you to visit our website at www.thealex.ca