Peer Support Worker

Job Posting

Peer Support Worker

Title: Peer Support Worker, Mental Health

Location(s): Ottawa

Salary:  $ $26.64 per hour **based on work experience

Hours: 0-16 hours per week

Employer:  John Howard Society of Ottawa

How To Apply: Please submit your cover letter and resume through the John Howard Society of Ottawa's website, under the Careers tab at: 

Closing Date: Friday, March 13, 2026

**This position is a male designated position given the nature of the client group and that the position is a sole shift **

About the environment: Employees at JHS Ottawa say the organizational culture is supportive, innovative, and focused on creating a caring environment for both clients, and staff. At JHS Ottawa, you will find an employer that celebrates the uniqueness of each of its staff members and is committed to promoting an engaging working culture where all employees are encouraged to live their strengths and realize their potential. JHS Ottawa will provide permanent new employees access to a benefit plan, four weeks vacation annually, a Defined Contribution Pension Plan after eligibility waiting period, and opportunities for continual learning and development.

About who we support: Our employees are supporting a diverse client group including youth and adults, all genders, from a wide cross section of social, ethnic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds who are representative of our broader community. We are accountable to the people we serve by providing the highest quality of service with integrity through the delivery of responsive, innovative and evidence-informed approaches.

About diversity at JHS Ottawa: The John Howard Society of Ottawa is committed to reflecting and responding to the diversity of the people and communities we serve and is seeking that diversity in applicants for this position. We welcome candidates from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People, women, persons with disabilities, persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, and all candidates who contribute to furthering the diversity of ideas. We also recognize that people from diverse groups have different needs and require different solutions to gain equal opportunity for success in the hiring process. If you require any accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.

About the role: Are you engaged and in recovery from a major mental illness and substance use? Have you been Forensic or Justice involved? Are you searching for an opportunity to help other men with these shared experiences as a peer support worker? This may be the employment opportunity for you.

In collaboration with the Reintegrative Housing Coordinator, the Peer Support Worker will work with the Reintegrative program participants to provide non-judgement, practical and emotional support. 

Peers will receive training upon hiring, and will have opportunities for further education and leadership development throughout the duration of their employment. 

As the successful candidate, you have: 

2 years' experience working with clients with complex needs

Experience in providing non-clinical support for clients that are forensically involved

Certification in PSO's Peer Support Training, Mental Health First Aid, Suicide Intervention, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and First Aid/CPR; or a willingness to be trained in these areas

A Diploma in Social Services or related field, or equivalent education

This position is for Peer Support, not Personal Support as in PSW

You'll also be prepared to demonstrate…..

Excellent communication, listening, and interpersonal skills

Understanding and application of recovery principles, and their applications to people with mental illness and complex needs

Experience supporting people who have a concurrent disorder, physical and mental challenges

Demonstrated understanding of positive behaviour supports in assisting people to enhance the quality of their lives

At least a moderate proficiency with computers and internet

A Positive attitude toward recovery and the mechanisms available to support recovery, including medication and mental health programs

Experiential sharing

Meet regularly with clients to develop working relationships and role model positive, recovery-oriented activity

Promote and support participation and inclusion by accompanying people to participate in activities in their community, as well as build and sustain relationships and connections that reflect the interests identified by the person

Advocate for clients when they have difficulty advocating for themselves

Promote practices that support people's health and safety

Participate in planned leisure activities with individuals and groups

Assist clients in connecting to emergency crisis intervention and support when needed

Support client socialization and self-esteem building

Clearly document time spent with clients and provide monthly report to supervisor

Role-model social, leisure, and healthy living skills 

Meet regularly with Residential Coordinator and give a general report on engagement with clients

Assist clients while helping them become more self-reliant 

You're a fit with our organizational culture, if you mirror our values in the way you work: 

• You are committed to providing the highest quality of care for your clients, through responsive, innovative, and evidence informed approaches. 
• Driven by curiosity, you adapt to achieve the best results for clients/communities you serve. 
• Celebrating the uniqueness and lived experience of every person is part of your nature, and this conviction creates a sense of belonging, safety, and better outcomes for all. 
• You work in a way that helps employees and clients live their strengths and reach their potential 
• Work with compassion and care for others, and help JHS build a culture of listening, mutual support, and meaningful connections. 

You're a fit with our organizational culture if you believe: 

• In building meaningful connections across our programs, partners, and neighbourhoodsin order tofoster inclusion and empowerment.
• In a person-centred approach, recognizing the value,expertise, and capacity of each individual to make choices that lead to their best self. 
• That systemic inequalities exist, and that all people have the right to be treated with dignity, to live free from discrimination, to have a home, and to access employment, education, healthpromotionand other supports. 
• In reducing harm to individuals and communities through a non-judgmental approach that builds resiliency and accountability. 
• In the capacity of individuals and communities to adapt, change, and grow while promoting the conditions to inspire positive transformation. 

We sincerely thank all applicants who express interest in JHS and this position- only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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