Youth Substance Use Counsellor

The Youth Outreach Substance Use Counsellor is a member of an outreach team (each person is assigned a catchment area) that provides individual one-to-one support services to young people with substance use concerns, residing in the assigned catchment area. Their primary role is to develop trust and build relationships, so that the participant can follow through on referral and treatment options. As needed, Astra counsellors will organize and facilitate groups and provide services at community facilities.

Astra Counsellor’s help the participant assess the nature and extent of their substance use, the impact it is having on their life areas, and work with the youth to increase healthy decision making related to substance use.

One-to-one support includes accepting and processing referrals, participant assessments, and the development of service goals in support with the youth. The role requires a sound understanding of normal, delayed, or problematic development, behavior, addictions theory, motivational theory, and the effects of trauma. Specific skills in physical, recreational activities and life skills instruction are an asset.

This position works flexible hours including some evenings and very occasional weekends.
Whilst this is an outreach position, the employee is expected to base their work from the local PCRS or partner site.
This not a hybrid work position and is site based.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual counselling and support services to youth in relation to their substance use.
• Offer services on an outreach basis, as necessary.
• Screen, process, and accept referrals, complete intake and orientation processes for youth as per policy, complete basic assessments and develop service goals in collaboration with participant and referral source, as per policy.
• Document and maintain case notes utilizing the agency’s database system.
• When required, develop, implement, and facilitate group sessions that are relevant to local needs.
• Provide services at local youth services hubs and community partners in consultation with supervisor.
• Engage in case conferencing regularly with supervisor and report critical incidents immediately.
• Function as a positive role model and assist participants in developing values of honesty, self-assertiveness, and respect for others, a democratic viewpoint.
• Maintain health and safety of self, participants, and community; manage inappropriate behavior and emergency situations according to agency policy and practice.
• Consult with community members as required; represent PCRS professionally.
• Collaborate with other professionals for service goal development, group sessions and referrals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or other field plus 2 years’ experience, or bachelor’s degree in Child and Youth Care or a relevant discipline plus 2 years of direct experience. Substance use/Addiction Counselling training. Combination of experience and education is considered.
• Experience providing youth alcohol and drug services within a biopsychosocial –spiritual framework.
• Knowledge of learning disabilities (including FASD, ADHD), barriers to support, addictions theory, motivational theory, the effects of abuse and trauma, and indigenous culture.
• Criminal record check including the vulnerable sector.
• Basic First Aid certification (OFA Level 1 equivalent).
• Class 5 driver’s license and driver’s abstract with Business Insurance, and use of own personal vehicle.
• Driver’s abstract must be submitted.
• Excellent computer skills and administrative capabilities.

About PCRS

Pacific Community Resources Society (PCRS) is a large not-for-profit agency that serves some of the most vulnerable people in our communities from Vancouver to Hope. We work with youth and vulnerable adults in the areas of education, employment, housing, substance use and mental health, and youth and family support services. We are CARF Accredited and a Certified Living Wage Employer.

We are grateful to operate on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷm əθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Qw'?ntl'en (Kwantlen), se’mya’me (Semiahmoo), sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen), q̓ic̓əy (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Coquitlam), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), máthxwi (Matsqui) and Stó:lō Nations.

We Offer Our Staff

• Equitable Base Pay – we are a Certified Living Wage Employer
• Generous paid vacation time, personal time, sick time; additional paid time off for life events
• Additional paid holidays, ex. Easter Monday, Boxing Day *
• Extended health, prescription, dental & vision care plan, with 100% Employer-Paid Premiums*
• Disability and Life Insurance Coverage *
• Employee & Family Assistance Program including preventative health & counselling *
• Membership in the Municipal Pension Plan with generous employer contributions *
• Flexible schedules and earned time off program *
• Full-day agency orientation and extensive training, with regular ongoing performance evaluations
• In-house digital and classroom learning opportunities; staff funding for professional development *
• Opportunities to use your voice & participate in committees on policy, wellness, safety, EDI, etc.

• Eligibility will vary depending on terms and role requirements – details for this posting will be provided on request.