Somerset West Community Health Centre·Ottawa, Ontario
Conduct assertive outreach and provide harm reduction support to people who use drugs in the Carlington community. Manage the 'Health Box' supplies and connect clients to health promotion, prevention, and treatment services.
Harm Reduction Peer Worker PHAC (HRPW) Classification: Support Worker Job Type: Term 0.6FTE(21hs/week) until March 31, 2027 Department: Community Engagement Reporting to: Manager, Community Engagement Compensation: $22.71/hr to $27.39/hr plus a comprehensive compensation benefit package Deadline to apply: July 17, 2026 by 5:00pm
_______________________________________________________ About us We are Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC), a non-profit, community-governed organization that serves over 18,000 clients annually.
Established in 1978, SWCHC provides a wide range of health care services such as primary health care, health promotion, community development, mental health, and harm reduction.
We are deeply connected to the communities we serve and committed to removing barriers to accessing services for people who experience vulnerabilities because of their age, income, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity, and language or culture.
SWCHC strives to ensure that our team reflects the communities we serve.
We work within an anti-racist, anti-oppressive framework that acknowledges the existence and impacts of systemic racism and seeks to ensure that systems are fair and equitable for everyone.
What You’ll Do The Harm Reduction Peer Worker PHAC (HRPW) will support services in the Carlington Community Health Centre area.
This project is a collaboration between Somerset West CHC and Carlington CHC.
Working closely with the Community Engagement Manager and under the supervision of the NESI Team Lead at Somerset West Community Health Centre, and the Director of Integrated Health Services at Carlington Community Health Centre; the HRPW will support harm reduction services to people who use drugs in the Carlington Community Health Centre catchment areas.
Harm reduction services will focus on increasing access to health promotion, prevention, treatment and harm reduction programs and services among high-risk people who use drugs.
The HRPW will be responsible for supporting Carlington CHC’s ‘Health Box’ (gear supplies), through monitoring supplies and stocking, communicating with the Health Box company for troubleshooting, and supporting clients in accessing.
Workers collaborate as a part of the whole Community Services department.
They work with Harm Reduction Workers, Nurses, the Team Leads, the Manager, and other members of the team.
Workers also collaborate with and contribute to the overall services, programs and functioning of the Centres.
We strongly encourage applications from individuals with lived and living experience of drug use, sex work, homelessness, incarceration, or systemic marginalization.
Lived experience is considered integral to this role. _______________________________________________________ What We’re Looking For ◈ Life and Work Experience Relevant lived/living experience of drug use, sex work, homelessness, incarceration, or systemic marginalization Strong understanding of community needs Lived/living experience & understanding of Harm Reduction principles Knowledge of and experience with a harm reduction approach Positive and empowering approach regarding drug use, sex, and sex work Knowledge of related community resources Valid class “G” driver’s license and personal vehicle insurance is required Needle exchange and safer inhalation training Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training CPR & Standard First Aid Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Training
◈ Required Language Fluency in English is required Other languages considered an asset
◈ Other Job Requirements Needle exchange and safer inhalation training is an asset, training will be provided as needed Non Violent Crisis Intervention training, will be provided as needed CPR & Standard First Aid, will be provided as needed Overdose Prevention and Naloxone training, will be provided as needed Provision of a criminal reference check for vulnerable sector - a clean check is not required to be successful in application
_______________________________________________________ What You Bring to the Table Understanding of homelessness, mental health and addictions Ability to work well with others as part of a team Commitment to working within a diversity and social justice framework Ability and comfort with computers, online reporting templates and ensuring timely completion of reporting obligations Good listening skills and strong personal boundaries Strong organizational skills/time management skills Ability to de-escalate conflicts in an effective manner Demonstrates an understanding of the differing beliefs and value systems of others and is respectful of all Ability to ask for support/provide support when needed
Conduct assertive outreach and provides support to people who use drugs Assemble harm reduction supplies kits Comfortable working in various environments including outdoors, community spaces, and mobile outreach vans May involve exposure to emotional or crisis situations Monitor and stock the Health Box, communicate with Health Box, Carlington CHC for troubleshooting Enter data on supplies distributed, Health Box, outreach activities into appropriate database Complete end-of-shift report Deliver trainings and presentations on harm reduction, safer use, engagement strategies, overdose identification and response Distribute harm reduction materials and collects used equipment Provide information about community resources to clients Assist clients in obtaining resources for healthier living Apply an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed approach to service delivery, ensuring equitable and culturally responsive support for all clients Actively listen to clients and offer non-judgemental support Promote safer substance use among people who use drugs, including health teaching on safer injection practices with the goal of improving health outcomes Support clients to set up appointments with other services as needed, providing reminders and accompaniment as needed Connect clients to other harm reduction services in the community Participate in operational regular check-ins, as well as weekly team meetings Participate in Community of Practice meetings and additional professional development opportunities/training workshops as necessary Participate in Project Advisory Meetings as required All services are provided using a harm reduction model. Hours of work may vary depending on the need of the Program.
_______________________________________________________ Somerset West Community Health Centre is an equal opportunity employer who values the diversity of individuals in our programs and services.
This posting is for a currently vacant position that we intend to fill through this recruitment process.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of Indigenous, Black and racialized communities, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, LGBTQ+ people; people with disabilities; and members of other equity seeking groups.
Applicants are encouraged to share accessibility needs in the application process, and every attempt will be made to accommodate them.
Due to the high volume of applicants, we can neither confirm receipt of nor respond to inquiries regarding your application.
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Requires lived experience with drug use, homelessness, or systemic marginalization and a valid Class G driver's license. Must be able to perform physically demanding outreach and possess strong conflict de-escalation skills.
Market context
In Ontario, behavioral-health roles are typically driven by ongoing need in community, outpatient, and support settings serving people with mental health or substance use challenges. These positions can be competitive because employers often look for experience with diverse populations plus a high school diploma or GED, with a bachelor’s in social work or a related field preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to show relevant client-facing experience and readiness to work with varied needs.
