Provide peer-based support and guidance to clients.
Facilitate group and one-to-one meetings.
Develop respectful relationships with clients and support networks.
Assist clients in accessing health and social services.
Advocate for clients and perform practical support duties.
Participate in service development and quality improvement
Requirements summary
Graduation from recognized Social Services Worker program or equivalent.
Lived experience with incarceration, substance use, or mental health.
Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License.
Knowledge of systemic racism, Indigenous health issues, and legislative obligations.
Effective communication skills.
Ability to organize work and operate related equipment.
Commitment to anti-racism and cultural safety
Social Services Worker certificate or equivalentrelationship buildingcollaborationeffective communicationadvocacyactive listeningcultural safety and humilityclient engagementresource coordinationanti-racism
Job description
Peer Support Worker BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services Prince George, BC What you’ll do
Provide non-clinical, one-on-one, peer-based support and guidance to clients before, during, and after they are released to the community, with the aim of supporting skills-building, empowerment and community reintegration. This includes brief support (1-3 months after release), active listening, client-centered and strengths-based approaches to client engagement.
Assist with facilitating group and one-to-one meetings. Provide health, social, and resource information to clients, such as harm reduction information to reduce risk of overdose. Attend and support the facilitation of information sessions.
Develop respectful relationships with clients and their support networks (i.e. families, friends and allies). Help clients and their support networks to make informed decisions. Create a non-judgmental environment by sharing own experiences and insights. Encourage and support clients to become active and involved in their own health.
Assist clients and their support networks with finding appropriate health, social services and other resources as required, such as physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, housing, employment, financial assistance, advocacy and support groups. Provide information on service providers; maintain up-to-date resource lists of community-based services providers; contact relevant organizations/businesses/services; and provide information on how to attain services and assistance with accessing services.
Provide advocacy and practical services to clients by performing duties such as informing clients and their support networks of their rights to services, assisting clients in completing forms and letters (i.e. income assistance, disability assistance, housing), notifying designated supervisor of systemic advocacy issues, and receiving/documenting complaints and ideas for improved service.
Actively participates in on-going service development and quality improvement by attending meetings, engaging in team discussions, and providing input to goal setting, problem solving, conflict resolution and collaboration. What you bring
Qualifications
Graduation from a recognized Social Services Worker certificate program or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Lived experience with incarceration, substance use issues and/or mental health needs, and accessing support/treatment services.
Benefits
pension plan
wellness programs
professional development
flexible work options
healthcare
psychological health & safety programs
holistic wellness resources
annual statutory holidays
discount programs
vacation entitlement
Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License
Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system. Core Competencies
Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.). Skills & Knowledge
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to deal with others effectively.
Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
Ability to organize work.
Ability to operate related equipment.
Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach. What we bring Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.
Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
Access to professional development opportunities through our 2,000+ in-house courses including a range of experience level, profession-specific, or other essential training on Indigenous Cultural Safety; Indigenous-specific anti-racism; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and accessibility, mental health and well-being, and more.
Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more. Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time (Until November 13, 2026) Wage: $31.64 per hour Location: 795 Highway 16 East, Prince George, B.C., V2L 5J9 Hours of Work: Monday – Friday; 0800 - 1600 Requisition # 197526E What we do BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges. BCMHSUS program is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). PHSA plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose. PHSA and BCMHSUS are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment. Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code. One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca. Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study. Attention current employees of PHSA: You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca. The internal job posting expires on April 22, 2026 and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting. If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days. If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.
