Peer Support Worker, Complex Support Services

Peer Support Worker, Complex Support Services

As we serve vulnerable youth, all employees working for Covenant House Vancouver must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required prior to your start date.

About Covenant House Vancouver

Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has provided relentless support for youth experiencing, or at-risk of experiencing, homelessness. We provide support to young people age 16 to 24 who have experienced a wide range of early life and ongoing, complex trauma; including physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect. Our purpose is to serve all youth with absolute respect, to help youth experiencing homelessness, and provide a safe and supportive environment for all youth in need.

Working at Covenant House will be one of the most meaningful things that you’ll do in your life. However, you will be confronted with significant issues in this work and frankly, this work is not for everyone. In the course of doing your work, particularly for those doing frontline work, you will be exposed to the trauma of others. The youth we serve may also experience overdose, physical harm perpetuated by self or others and even death. Because we provide a relational model of care, the harms our youth experience can impact us in varying degrees.

While we provide training for youth workers on avoiding what we call vicarious trauma (namely, the trauma you can experience or take on by hearing other’s traumatic stories), and a generous allowance for counselling, it is still difficult work that can and does take its toll on many employees. Self-awareness and self-care are key. Some candidates and employees decide during the recruiting and probationary periods that this work isn’t for them, and that is totally fair.

We will provide more information on vicarious trauma during recruiting and on-boarding, to help you decide if Covenant House is the place for you.

The Impact the Peer Support Worker with the Complex Support Services Team can make:

Community Support Services

The Community Support Services (CSS) program at Covenant House Vancouver provides low-barrier, trauma-informed support to youth aged 16–24 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. CSS offers a welcoming, inclusive space where youth can access essential services such as meals, showers, clothing, harm reduction supplies, and emotional support—without the need for appointments.

The program is designed to meet youth where they are at, whether they are actively using substances, seeking recovery, or navigating mental health challenges. Staff build trusting relationships through consistent, compassionate engagement, offering individualized support and connections. CSS also provides overdose prevention resources and ensures that all youth, regardless of their goals, have access to a safe, respectful, and affirming environment.

By centering youth voice and choice, the CSS program empowers young people to take steps toward stability, wellness, and self-defined success

Sanctuary Program

Sanctuary is a low-barrier shelter designed for youth whose substance use, co-occurring mental health and life circumstances have resulted in significant disconnection from most or all other services. This program exists for young people for whom more structured or goal setting programs options are no longer accessible or effective.

The goal of the program is to provide immediate safety and stabilization for youth who would otherwise be unsheltered. The intervention is rooted in a harm reduction approach with a focus on relationship-based care.

How you will contribute:

Youth Engagement & Peer Support:

• Build rapport and establish trusting relationships with at-risk youth aged 16–24
• Engage youth at a peer level by sharing appropriate life-specific experience insights and practical coping strategies.
• Respond to youth inquiries and provide informal support, guidance, and encouragement.
• Assist youth in navigating internal and external services and community resources.
• Connect youth to Youth Worker/ Social Worker when applications/ referrals are necessary.

Advocacy & Practical Support

• Accompany and support youth to attend appointments (medical, housing, legal, social services, etc.)
• Help youth to prepare for appointments. (What to ask, when to ask questions, presentation and so on)
• Greet and welcome youth accessing CHV services.
• Provide practical supports such as food, clothing, hygiene supplies, laundry assistance.
• Advocate for youth needs (Shelter, safety, etc.) while maintaining professional boundaries.

Safety, Operations & Program Support

• Meet operational needs as required to ensure the safety and security of the program.
• Follow fire safety, emergency, and crisis response procedures.
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and safety of program areas for both youth and staff

Documentation & Communication

• Participate in meetings when necessary.
• Follow up with team members around critical incidents/information related to youth you are supporting.
• Accurately document contacts – ETO efforts.
• Communicate effectively with staff about any significant safety or behavioural concerns.
• Co-facilitate team meetings, youth meetings, or program circles as appropriate, contributing a peer-informed perspective

Professional Development & Team Participation

• Attend all required training, supervision, and team meetings as directed.
• Participate in ongoing learning related to peer support, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and youth engagement
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team.

Who are we looking for?

Education and Experience:

• Peer support training from a BC recognized organization.
• Lived experience relevant to Mental health, substance use, homelessness, housing instability, systems involvement, or related challenges
• Strong understanding of peer support principles and boundaries
• Experience working with vulnerable or at-risk youth is an asset
• Ability to engage youth with empathy, non-judgment, and respect
• Adequate communication, problem-solving, and de-escalation skills
• Please include current and past relevant volunteer experience in your resume

Competencies:

• Trauma-informed and strength-based approach
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries while working from lived experience

Compensation

The successful candidate can expect a starting hourly rate of between $21.14 and $26.42 depending on factors such as internal equity, experience, competencies, and education. Once hired, the hourly rates are reviewed annually following the annual performance review and successful employees have the opportunity for their hourly rate to increase, over time, up to the maximum of the pay band, currently $31.70.

Total Rewards

Beginning immediately, this position has excellent extended health and dental benefits for you, your spouse, and your children, including generous counselling benefits. During the first year, employees receive three weeks’ paid vacation, increasing to four in the second year. We have paid sick leave, paid personal leave, a registered pension plan, investment in professional development, and more. If you’d like more information on what we offer, please ask!

In 2024, we were recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Covenant House Vancouver is a secular organization that welcomes and serves young people from all backgrounds. While the international federation to which we belong was founded in the 1970s by members of the Catholic Church, we are not aligned with any specific faith traditions.

CHV is committed to upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

• Persons from groups marginalized due to race, ancestry, colour, religion/spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
• Persons with visible (physical) and/or invisible (mental) disabilities;
• Persons who identify as women;
• Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; and
• Indigenous persons.

We recognize that many of these identities intersect and that therefore, diversity, equity, and inclusion can be complex. We value the contributions that each person brings and are committed to ensuring full and equal participation for all at Covenant House Vancouver.

We love what we do and try to make a difference every day. Covenant House Vancouver offers a competitive salary with a great benefits package and excellent opportunity for training and career advancement. If you are looking to join a place where we have a purpose and aim to achieve positive outcomes, please join us by applying.