Peer Navigator, Mental Health and Addiction Resource Centre (MHARC)

Posting Closes:  November 8, 2026 at 5:00pm

About Us:

The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) provides a full care system for those with addictions, mental health or developmental needs. We serve everyone from children to adults to seniors, all under one roof. Our programs help individuals and families to lead lives filled with meaning and promise. We have 400 staff at offices in Cambridge, Waterloo, Kitchener, Guelph, Fergus, and Mount Forest. 

We are fully accredited by Accreditation Canada and are proud of our Exemplary Status (the highest standing) received at our most recent accreditation exercise.

Why Join our Team:

Competitive Compensation and Benefits:  Our compensation package includes a competitive salary and generous benefits supporting the wellness of our staff.  We are proud to be members of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) offering one of Canada’s largest and most respected defined benefit plans.

Career Development Opportunities:  Our wide range of services and supports allows for varied opportunities for career growth.  Our multi-disciplinary approach to care offers cross collaboration and enhanced opportunities for learning.  A formal succession planning process is key to our internal leadership recruitment.

Values that include:  Mutual Respect, Accountability, Integrity and Excellence and Innovation and a culture that is welcoming and inclusive. 

Commitment to Health and Safety:  We have a strong health and safety culture at CMHA WW and work tirelessly to address the health and safety needs of staff and the people we serve. 

The Opportunity:

We are recruiting for PEER NAVIGATOR (Mental Health and Addictions Resource Centre)

• This is a contract part-time newly created position (28 hours per week Tuesday to Friday 11am to 7pm) based at 298 Lawrence Ave. Kitchener.

CMHA WW’s Self Help and Peer Support service is recruiting for a Peer Navigator, Mental Health & Addictions Resource Centre (MHARC) for a six-month pilot offering a low-barrier, community-based access point grounded in a “no wrong door” approach. A multi-partner collaboration, MHARC will provide rapid triage, stabilization, clinical supports, peer engagement, and system navigation, alongside referral pathways to ongoing care. The pilot is designed to improve timely access to appropriate care and enhance client experience by offering services in a community setting. It will also serve as a foundational step toward enabling paramedic diversion and supporting future scale-up to a fully integrated, 24/7 alternate destination model.

CMHA WW’s Self Help & Peer Support is a peer-led service that focuses on providing information, referral, and peer support and recovery skills support groups. The purpose of this position is to effectively provide peer support to clients of the MHARC, in collaboration with other partner care providers. The position will also involve representing Self Help & Peer Support service in the community and making referrals to the service. This position reports to the Manager of Self Help & Peer Support.

Qualifications:

• Personal lived/living experience with substance use and/or mental health challenges and recovery and a willingness to use lived experience in a peer support role.


• Ability to navigate, and willingness to engage in safe and appropriate self-disclosure


• Demonstrated understanding of recovery values, knowledge of peer support practices, trauma-informed and anti-oppression practice, and harm reduction theory and practices


• Understanding of social determinants of health and culturally responsive practice


• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team approach to services


• Comfort with and sensitivity to serious mental health and addictions challenges


• Ability to support individuals in crisis and use basic de-escalation strategies


• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, high stress situations


• Strong verbal and written communication skills


• Ability to engage in reflexive practice and be open to ongoing learning


• Effective in setting and maintaining boundaries


• Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability


• Ability to practice proactive self-care


• Strong time management skills


• Strong knowledge of resources and supports in Waterloo Region


• Proficiency in the use of computers


• Ability to work both independently using a self-directed approach and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.


• Aligns with CMHA WW values of: Mutual Respect, Accountability, Integrity and Excellence and Innovation and a culture that is welcoming and inclusive.


• Minimum of one year’s experience providing peer support in a paid or volunteer role and an additional one year’s experience working in an addiction or mental health setting or related occupation such as community, social service worker.


• Bachelor’s degree or two year college diploma in a social services or health-related discipline

If you are interested in this position, please submit a resume and cover letter in one document outlining how your skills, qualifications and experience meet the position requirements.

COMPENSATION AND RATE OF PAY:  Level 4 (OPSEU) - $29.29 to $35.56 per hour

CMHA WW, as an equal opportunity employer, embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace.  Our goal is to attract, develop and retain talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. We welcome applications from all qualified persons.

*We do not use AI in our screening process.