Peer Facilitator - #230108

Identifying Information

Job Title:                  Peer Facilitator, Community Programs and Strategies 

Job Classification:  Recovery College Facilitator

Program Areas:       Community Education & Training, Peer College, Prosper Place, Community Strategies

Position Type:         Casual

Hours:                     Variable (Courses, workshops, events, and activities take place on weekdays, evenings, and weekends) 

Salary/Wage:          $ 33.61 per hour

Organization Summary 

CMHA Edmonton is a non-profit organization that envisions mentally healthy people in caring communities. We work to increase awareness and understanding of mental health, mental illness, recovery, and suicide prevention through education. We support the resilience and recovery of people in distress including those affected by mental health challenges or suicide by providing crisis intervention; safe, long-term and affordable housing; peer connections; suicide grief and family support; advocacy and wayfinding; and providing opportunities to improve for our Community Members to improve their mental wellness. 

Join us as we work towards making a difference in the lives of individuals, families, friends, and peers affected by mental health challenges and difficult situations which may include abuse, addiction, bullying and harassment, discrimination, family violence and trauma, grief and loss, isolation, suicide, and unsafe housing. 

Community Strategies

The Community Strategies team facilitates public education through information booths, workshops, presentations, and other activities through community outreach and engagement efforts to proactively engage community members to learn about and access the programs, services, and lived experience opportunities at CMHA Edmonton, in concert with community partners.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Community Strategies Lead, the Peer Facilitator provides facilitation for courses, workshops, events, and other activities that are open to individuals experiencing mental wellness concerns, mental illness and or addiction related challenges, as well as family, friends, peers, and caregivers.

The Peer Facilitator will also provide support to the Community Strategies Lead, with the co-development, co-delivery, and co-evaluation of new courses and projects. 

Peer Facilitators co-facilitate in pairs, and together they will both demonstrate the values of CMHA programs and the competencies for peer-driven courses and activities. These include hope, collaboration, personal growth, recovery planning, communication, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, managing information, capacity building, and inclusivity. 

Peer Facilitators use their own recovery stories to inspire hope in others and share their practical, first-hand knowledge of strategies for promoting mental wellness and available resources. 

Courses, workshops, events, and activities are offered weekdays, evenings, and weekends in multiple locations. Flexible availability is an asset.

Qualifications/Experience

• Successful completion of Group Facilitation and Peer Support Practice in Community training. Training is offered several times throughout the year. Successful applicants will be invited to attend the training at no charge.


• Lived experience with a mental health or addiction concern or lived experience in supporting a loved one or family member with a mental health or addiction concern is required for this position.


• Familiarity with the guiding principles of peer support as detailed by Peer Support Canada, a deep commitment to understanding recovery-oriented models, and a willingness to share experiences/stories as part of the peer role is required.


• Successful attainment and maintenance of Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is an asset.


• Experience working or volunteering within addiction or mental health organizations is an asset.


• Acceptable attainment and maintenance of a Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Check and an Intervention Record Check.

Skills/Abilities

• Strong interpersonal, relationship building, verbal and written communication skills, and group conflict management.


• Ability to actively listen, ask motivational questions, reframe where needed, and focus on strengths of learners.


• Ability to set boundaries with learners and share appropriately in a professional setting.


• Demonstrated understanding of mental health; mental illness and recovery; information and referral services; and crisis intervention.


• Knowledge of and ability to access and utilize mental health resources and networks.