PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

FOCUS Team

One (1) Bargaining Unit, Permanent Full-Time Position

Monday-Friday 8am - 4:00pm

Compensation: $22.44 hour

About Cota

If you're looking to contribute your expertise at a community-based organization making a positive impact in the lives of thousands of people each year - Cota would love to hear from you!

We provide a collaborative and inclusive work environment that emphasizes employee support, learning opportunities and excellence in our field. We offer flexible hours and employer-paid benefits for some classifications along with other perks and wellness activities.

For 50 years, Cota has been supporting adults with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their community. We provide person-centred support to help individuals find inspiration and hope in themselves, so they are better able to pursue meaningful change in their lives.

To find out more about us and our programs/services and employee benefits please visit our website!

Role Overview

We are seeking a Peer Support Specialist to provide recovery oriented support through lived experience of mental health and/or addiction challenges.

Additionally,  The Peer Support Specialist  will work collaboratively with individuals and the team to develop recovery, goal plan, teach, coach and provide assertive outreach to individuals. 

 About the Team

The Focus is an innovative partnership program between St. Michael’s Hospital Mental Health Service and Cota.  The Focus will rely on an interdisciplinary team approach to provide a continuum of integrated intensive case management (ICM) and Assertive Community Treatment services to meet the needs of clients with mental health and complex care needs in the Mid-East Toronto Health Link.  Services to clients of the ISCT will be organized to allow for flexibility of movement between levels/intensity of services (Intensive Case Management and ACT) while ensuring continuity of care for clients.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide recovery oriented support through lived experience of mental health and/or addiction challenges
• Work collaboratively with individuals and the team to develop recovery and goal plans
• Teach, coach and provide assertive outreach to individuals
• Support individuals to live independently in the community as they consider and determine their own unique goals and objectives
• Provide recovery-oriented and/or harm reduction based services in a manner consistent with Cota's Mission, Vision and Values
• Facilitate various groups: WRAP, social recreational, educational and/or life skills groups

The Successful Candidate Requires:

• A minimum of High School Diploma AND
• Experience of providing peer support to people with lived experience 
• Degree or Diploma in health or social services (preferred)
• Completion of Peer Support training (required)
• Completion of Recovery-oriented training such as WRAP, or Pathways to Recovery (preferred)
• Personal experience in recovery from a mental health, homelessness, addiction challenge and/or  justice involvement
• Experience in applying harm-reduction principles, providing support from an anti-racist anti-oppression framework and/or providing trauma-informed peer support
• Experience facilitating groups
• Ability to work in partnership and relate to people with lived mental health and justice experience from a peer perspective 
• Ability to be flexible and make recommendations to resolve issues
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge and ability to effectively manage personal mental health issues
• Demonstrate self-awareness of their recovery journey and purposeful self-disclosure
• Knowledge of peer initiatives, goals and resources
• Knowledge of Recovery and Psychosocial Rehabilitation as guiding principles
• Knowledge of the Ontario Mental Health Act, the Substitute Decisions Act, and the Health Care Consent Act and PHIPPA (asset) 
• Ability to prioritize needs and organize work efficiently
• Computer efficient (MS Word, E-mail, Internet)

Other Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Conduct visits in the service recipient's homes, hostels, hospitals and other community settings, sometimes working in difficult conditions, including hoarding and pest infestations
• Comfortable working with the broad range of people we support groups
• Available to work days (with an occasional 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm shift)

Application Details:

Please forward a cover letter and your current resume on or before October 16th, 2024 by 4:00 pm with the reference EX300.

Cota's Values & Commitment

Cota's core values of Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation are at centre of who we are and what we do.

As an equal opportunity employer, we remain dedicated to sustaining an experienced workforce that reflects Cota's commitment to recognising everyone's contributions, respect of everyone's dignity, unique experience and potentials.

Cota will not condone or tolerate any acts of discrimination or harassment under any of the grounds protected under human rights legislation. This commitment extends to the hiring process and throughout the course of employment.

Cota's Diversity Statement

Cota remains respectful of all protected 7rights in line with the grounds laid out by the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC). Cota is also strongly committed to diversity and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

As part of our hiring process, you may be asked to complete demographic survey. This survey is voluntary and any information provided shall remain anonymous and confidential, only being used for the purpose of workforce reporting.

Cota's Accessibility Statement

Cota is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our entire hiring process as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. For any recruitment related accommodation needs and/or requests please contact the HR Department via email to hr_recruitment@cotainspires.ca

Additional Information:

Interview Process: Cota may choose to conduct parts/all of the hiring process virtually. Please note that as part of maintaining an agile workforce, all Cota staff may be required to be reasonably reassigned to support the operational needs of our essential services.

Scent Free: Cota encourages a scent-free environment. Any staff or visitor attending any of our sites should please refrain from wearing fragrances and other scented personal care products (i.e. perfumes, deodorants, lotions, hairspray, etc.) 

We would like to thank all those that apply; however, due to high volumes of interests, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you, Cota's HR Department.