Rate: $22/hr.
20 – 25 hours per week
6 Month contract with a possibility of extension

Job Description:
The successful applicant will act as a Peer Support Worker to provide peer support to members
of the 7th Step Society of Nova Scotia and the community, through one-on-one peer support and
program coordination. The Applicant will act as a community liaison, by planning and
implementing peer support programming.

This application will be open for two weeks after it’s been posted.
The applicant will follow the fundamentals of peer support, as described below:
“Peer support is a naturally occurring, mutually beneficial support process, where people who
share a common experience meet as equals, sharing strengths and hope, allowing people to
learn ways of coping from each other. Formalized peer support begins when persons with lived
experience, who have received specialized training, assume unique designated roles...to
support an individual’s expressed wishes.”

About The 7th Step Society of Nova Scotia:
Our society helps offenders as well as ex-offenders change their behaviour and attitudes using a
basic self-help philosophy. Our principles are realistic thinking and positive peer pressure.
Mental Health Commission of Canada, Guidelines for the Practice and Training of Peer Support
The 7th Step Society of N.S is a progressive work environment committed to employment equity,
and promotion of diversity in the workplace. The 7th Step Society of N.S is committed to equity
and diversity and encourages applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous
people, women, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and persons with disabilities.

Requirements and Duties
● 1 on 1 peer support
● Outreach, such as going into Court Houses, Halfway Houses, Probation Offices, etc.
● Coordinating programs, including facilitating programs or finding people to facilitate the
programs.
● Implementing and overseeing the programs that we offer.
● Individuals who have “lived experience” such as conflict with the law, struggles with mental
health/addictions, etc.
● Must be efficient in using Microsoft Office and have basic computer skills.
● Experience with writing reports.
● Adheres to organizational policies and procedures.
● Follows all health and safety policies and procedures as per the agency’s Health & Safety
Policies and Procedures, and actively maintains a healthy & safe work environment through
both actions and words.
● Complies with all organizational policies and procedures and behaves ethically.
● Contributes to the overall professional appearance of work site.
● Regularly updates professional knowledge through educational events, workshops, and
profession related reading and training.
● Takes part in regular meetings with the Assigned Supervisor(s) and sets professional goals
when required relating to skills and knowledge acquisition.
● Engages in regular performance reviews and provides feedback concerning own
performance.

Responsibilities
1. Providing one on one peer support
● Utilizes their lived experience with mental health, addictions and conflict with the law
challenges as they support individuals in determining their unique goals and objectives.
● Orient the people they support to the peer support role including an understanding of
the non-clinical nature of the role and voluntary nature of peer support.
● Provide support in a manner consistent with the recovery philosophy.
● Collaborate with individuals, promote self-advocacy and support individuals to advocate
for themselves.
● Provide education about recovery and peer support to community, and colleagues as
required.
● Provide information about agency programs, services and other community resources to
individuals, and with their permission, family and significant others.
● Practices the principles of anti-racism, anti-oppression.
● Builds peer relationships with individuals, supports them in identifying their strengths
and in making choices which promote wellbeing and safety for individuals.
● Works collaboratively with interdisciplinary team to provide comprehensive services and
supports to individuals.
● Assists in developing recovery goals and plans with individuals such as WRAP, (Wellness
and Recovery Action Plan) for mental health addictions.
● Support individuals in building their social connections in the community.
2. Act as a Community Liaison
● Assists in planning, and implementation of peer-based programs and activities.
● Distribute information relevant to harm reduction and enhancing well-being.
● Participate in supports and services development discussions with colleagues.
Administration Aspect:
● Attend team meetings, supervision and training sessions, as assigned.
● Assist in the planning and implementation of services that promote recovery and
wellbeing.
● Develop and promote programs and activities to empower people to work towards their
self-determined goals.
● Develop and maintains extensive knowledge of the supports and services in the Nova
Scotia area.
● Promote agency programs and services and other community resources to individuals
affected by mental health, addictions, and conflict with the law.
● Establish effective working relationships with hospitals, physicians, emergency shelters,
community mental health and addiction providers, housing providers, and other
community agencies and resources and helps individuals to navigate services.
● Engage in community capacity building to support individuals.
3. Act as a Program Coordinator
Deliverables for grants
● Facilitating programs as required that adhere to the deadline and guidelines for our
grants.

Qualifications:
Experience in the workforce or education in related topics, such as social/human services,
criminology, etc.
Peer Support Workers have gone through a process of recovery and have obtained peer
support related training to assist others with Mental Health addictions and conflict with the law
challenges to identify and achieve life goals as part of their own recovery. Peer Support Workers
use strengths-based and recovery-oriented approaches with individuals and/or groups to help
combat stigma, promote self-determination, and instill hope.
● Personal experience in recovery from mental health addiction challenge(s), and ability to
draw upon wellness and recovery in providing intentional peer support.
● Has previously participated in Peer Support related training.
● Knowledge and skills in providing support from an anti-racist, anti-oppression
framework.
● Knowledge and skills in applying harm-reduction principles, ability to meet and engage
participants “where they are at.”
● Experience with Self-reflection, identification, authentic listening and communication of
one’s own direct experiences, for the benefit of the person they are supporting, relating
to issues such as:
o living with Mental Health- addictions and conflict with the law challenges,
o personal experiences of recovery,
● Ability to apply Recovery principles and empowerment-oriented philosophies and
practices in work with participants.
● Knowledge and experience in providing trauma-informed peer support.
● Understanding of issues of mental health/addictions and homelessness.
● Advocacy and peer support skills that are person-centered.
● Extensive knowledge of local community mental health services and other resources,
including formal and informal supports.
● Ability to collect relevant data, and submit reports as required in timely and accurate
manner.
● Knowledge of methadone and buprenorphine (Suboxone) treatments is an asset.
● Direct experiential knowledge of community supports, and services is an asset.
● A second language reflecting the local community is an asset.
● Ability to adapt to either working on a team, independently and able to work with
community service providers in the region.
● A valid Canadian driver’s license, relevant insurance and access to use of personal
vehicle for work purposes may be required.
Schedule/Working Environment:
● The Successful Candidate will work with the ED to set hours in accordance with project
milestones, agreed project plan, regular reporting, etc.
● The Successful candidate should expect to work between 20- 25 hours per week.
● The Successful candidate will have to provide their own workspace and equipment
(computer, telephone, internet).

Application Process
Email a cover letter outlining your interest in the position as well as a copy of your
resume to stevendeveau7stepsocietyns@gmail.com. Make sure they are in ONE MS word
document attachment entitled firstname_lastname.doc (.docx). Letters in the body of email,
.pdf documents, and multiple attachments will not be accepted.
Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the
selection process as per the Nova Scotia Human Rights Code.
If you require assistance with the application process or wish to receive this posting in an
alternate format, please contact us at the above-mentioned email addresses.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those applicants chosen for an interview
will be contacted.