Peer Support Worker

About Musqueam

We are traditional hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking people. Today, we are a strong, growing community of over 1,300 members. We live on a small portion of our traditional territory, known as the Musqueam Indian Reserve, located south of Marine Drive near the mouth of the Fraser River. The name Musqueam relates back to the River Plant, the name of the plant is məθkʷəy̓. There is a story that has been passed on from generation to generation that explains how we became known as the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) - People of the River Plant. We have always moved throughout our territory using the resources it provides for fishing, hunting, trapping and gathering. We remain distinct and our cultural practices are strong, despite the devastating impacts of residential schools, colonial laws banning our ceremonies, and other attempts to assimilate our people. Our lands and waters continue to support our cultural and economic practices while serving as a source of knowledge and memory, encoded with our teachings and laws. To learn more about Musqueam, please visit www.musqueam.bc.ca

Position Summary

The Peer Support Worker is a community-facing role within the Health Department, reporting to the Mental Health Wellness Team Lead. This position plays a critical role in supporting community wellness through harm reduction outreach, relationship-building, and connecting members to internal and external support services related to safer substance use.

The Peer Support Worker acts as a trusted bridge between Musqueam community members and health, wellness, and social services. This position will be reducing barriers to access, promoting safer practices, and providing culturally grounded, non-judgmental peer-based support. This role is best suited to an individual with lived or shared experience who is committed to harm reduction principles, community safety, and compassionate engagement. Preference will be given to qualified Musqueam members. This is a Part-Time, one-year term position.

Key Responsibilities

Community Outreach & Harm Reduction

• Conduct regular outreach within the community to distribute harm reduction supplies in accordance with Health Department guidelines and best practices.
• Engage community members in a respectful, non-judgmental manner to promote safer substance use and reduce risk of harm.
• Provide basic education and information related to harm reduction, overdose prevention, and safer use practices, within the scope of the role.
• Observe and respond appropriately to community needs, trends, and emerging concerns, escalating issues to the Health Director or appropriate Health staff as required.

Relationship Building & Advocacy

• Offer peer-based emotional and practical support to individuals who use substances, grounded in lived experience and harm reduction principles.
• Support community members in navigating and accessing internal and external health, social, and substance-use-related services.
• Assist with referrals to external service providers.
• Help reduce barriers to accessing services by providing encouragement, information, and follow-up support.
• Build and maintain trusting relationships with community members, service partners, and external agencies.
• Advocate for culturally safe, respectful, and accessible services for community members.
• Act as a liaison between community members and the Health Department, sharing non-identifying feedback and observations to support service improvement.

Documentation & Collaboration

• Maintain accurate, confidential, and timely records of outreach activities, supply distribution, and service connections, as required.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and training opportunities as directed.
• Work collaboratively with Health Department staff and other community-based roles to support holistic wellness.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Grade 12 education and/or equivalent experience related to substance use, recovery, or harm reduction.
• Active engagement in personal recovery, with strong self-awareness and the ability to appropriately draw on lived experience to build trust, foster meaningful engagement, validate experiences.
• Understanding of Musqueam values, culture, and community strengths, with the ability to provide culturally safe, respectful, and relationship-based support to community members.
• Experience working in community outreach, peer support, or frontline community services is an asset.
• Knowledge of harm reduction principles, safer substance use practices, and community-based health supports.
• Strong communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and communicate respectfully with diverse community members.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and ethical standards.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in community and working in office, outdoors and various settings.
• Flexible scheduling may be required to meet community needs.

Why work for Musqueam?

Our success as a leader as a First Nations Government is built on the traditional teachings of our people, initiative and dedication of the Musqueam Indian Band. Providing a highly engaged traditional government that is member focused.

• Competitive salary
• Training and career development
• Business casual environment
• Community fitness and gym access
• Comprehensive group benefits plan and pension plan
• Centrally located with free parking; free onsite gym and class access; close to nature trails at UBC and along the Fraser River, shops, restaurants and services.