Peer Support Specialist jobs in Ontario

Peer Support Worker

Residents Department

Full-Time, Permanent

Level 4

Requisition Number: RES-2026-022

Covenant House helps youth ignite their potential and reclaim their lives. As Canada’s largest agency serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk, we offer the widest range of services to hundreds of young people every day.

More than a place to stay, we provide life-changing care with unconditional love and respect. We meet youth’s immediate needs and then we work together to achieve their future goals. We offer 24/7 crisis shelter transitional housing options on-site and, in the community, health and well-being support, training and skill development, and ongoing care once youth move into the community.

For over 40 years, Covenant House has been dedicated to its mission of serving youth on the street and to protect and safeguard all youth with absolute respect and unconditional love. Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people

Purpose:

The Peer Support Workers draw upon their lived expertise to engage and support youth accessing Residential Services Programs at Covenant House Toronto. Through relationship-building, mentorship, life skills development, resource navigation, and the sharing of lived expertise, the Peer Support Worker helps youth build connections and work towards their goals.

Working from a harm reduction, trauma informed, anti-oppressive, and youth- centered framework, the Peer Support Worker contributes to a safe and inclusive environment while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. The role also supports organizational learning by bringing the perspective of lived expertise into service delivery, program development, and quality improvement initiatives

We are currently recruiting for 1 Peer Support Worker; this is a replacement role within our organization. The schedule is Sunday through Thursday, rotating between day shifts 8:00am - 4:00pm one week, and evening shifts 3:00pm - 11:00pm , the next. Some schedule flexibility is required based on program needs.

Responsibilities:

Youth Engagement

• Engage with youth across all Residential Services programs, including Winter Respite, Shelter, Thrive, Madison House, and Rights of Passage.
• Build trusting relationships with youth through intentional and appropriate use of lived expertise.
• Identify relevant community resources and support youth in accessing services.
• Advocate alongside youth to help them navigate systems and access services.

Life Skills and Activities

• Utilize lived expertise to support youth in identifying strengths, exploring opportunities, and working toward their goals.
• Organize, facilitate, and supervise like skills workshops and activities.
• Encourage youth participation in life skills programming.
• Maintain accurate records of like skills programming, participation, and attendance.
• Support youth in navigating community supports and resources.

Peer Support

• Provide one-to-one peer support through mentorship, goal setting, and resource navigation.
• Maintain professional boundaries while fostering authentic and supportive relationships with youth

Documentation and Administration

• Document youth interactions in ETO.
• Complete all required documentation, reports, and case notes.
• Participate in trainings, team meetings, and professional development.
• Collaborate with program teams and community partners.
• Participate in program development and quality improvement initiatives

Qualifications

• High school Diploma and/or equivalent
• Completion of Peer Support training is an asset
• Lived expertise related to homeless, housing instability, mental health challenges, substance use or other relevant experiences
• Demonstrated ability to use lived expertise professionally.
• Knowledge of community resources, housing supports, mental health services, and substance use services.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, harm reduction, and trauma-informed framework.
• First Aid, CPR, UMAB and basic computer skills (ETO, SMIS, Word, Excel, etc.) an asset
• Maintains strict confidentiality, except where disclosure is required due to concerns of child abuse, neglect, or risk of harm to self or others.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Vulnerable Sector Check required

Don’t meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet all qualifications. If you are excited about the role but your resume doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the description, apply anyway. You may still be the right candidate for this or other roles.

What we Offer:

• Meaningful work.
• Competitive compensation.
• Benefits such as Health, Dental, Vision, Personal Days, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.
• Employee perks which include discounts on gym membership, city bike rentals, auto & home insurance and more.

Interested candidates are welcome to apply directly to this posting on or by October 30th, 2026. Only those selected to move forward in our recruitment process will be contacted. No agencies or phone calls please.

Use of AI and Technology in the Hiring Process

Covenant House Toronto does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to make or inform hiring decisions. However, we do use an external applicant tracking system (ATS) to help manage applications efficiently.

While our ATS may apply automated filters or sorting functions, all applications are reviewed and evaluated by human recruiters. No hiring decisions are made by AI.

Commitment to Equitable Recruitment

At Covenant House Toronto we believe in a workplace culture of inclusion that is welcoming, respectful and safe for all staff. It is critical to Covenant House Toronto success to eliminate barriers and promote the inclusion of equity groups. Equity groups have been, and continue to be, underrepresented and marginalized in the workforce, leadership roles, and in some specific occupations. Equity groups include but may not be limited to Indigenous persons, racialized people, gender diverse people, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Covenant House Policy on Accommodation, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the Covenant House recruitment process.