Addiction Counsellor at The Salvation Army

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Position Purpose summary

Under the direction of the Corps Officer, the Addiction Counsellor is responsible for the following areas: counselling, group programing, clientele relations, classroom instruction, group facilitating, administrative co-operation and spiritual input.

Accountabilities

Individual Counselling (Primary Role – 8–10 hours/week)

• Provide one-on-one addiction counselling using evidence-based approaches.
• Complete addiction assessments and individualized recovery plans.
• Support participants in identifying recovery goals.
• Develop relapse prevention and harm reduction plans.
• Provide crisis intervention when needed.
• Assist participants with motivation for change using Motivational Interviewing.
• Maintain confidential case notes and documentation.

Group Programming (3–4 hours/week)

Facilitate weekly or bi-weekly groups such as:

• Understanding Addiction
• Triggers and Cravings
• Relapse Prevention
• Managing Stress Without Substances
• Healthy Relationships
• Trauma and Addiction
• Life Skills in Recovery
• Grief and Loss
• Building Healthy Routines
• Emotional Regulation
• Self-Esteem and Identity
• Recovery Planning

Participant Support (2–3 hours/week)

• Meet participants during drop-in hours.
• Provide brief counselling sessions.
• Support participants through difficult life events.
• Help participants navigate recovery services.
• Connect participants with detox, treatment centres, physicians, and mental health supports.
• Assist participants with referrals to residential treatment programs.

Case Management Collaboration (2–3 hours/week)

• Attend weekly team meetings.
• Collaborate with case workers to develop coordinated support plans.
• Provide consultation to outreach staff regarding participants with addiction concerns.
• Participate in case conferences.
• Help identify barriers preventing employment or housing stability.

Community Partnerships

Develop relationships with:

• Northern Health Mental Health and Substance Use services
• Detox facilities
• Residential treatment centres
• Recovery houses
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• SMART Recovery
• Indigenous healing and cultural supports where appropriate
• Physicians and nurse practitioners
• Probation and corrections (where applicable).

Outreach Support

Since CBES already has outreach workers:

• Join the outreach team occasionally.
• Engage individuals who may not access office-based services.
• Build rapport with people experiencing homelessness.
• Offer harm reduction education.
• Provide overdose awareness and naloxone education.

Workshops

Offer monthly workshops on topics such as:

• Understanding Addiction
• Budgeting During Recovery
• Nutrition and Recovery
• Coping Skills
• Sleep and Recovery
• Stress Management
• Mindfulness
• Healthy Communication
• Employment Readiness in Recovery
• Goal Setting
• Building Healthy Boundaries

Program Development

• Help create recovery resources.
• Develop participant workbooks.
• Create recovery goal worksheets.
• Track participant outcomes.
• Assist with reporting requirements.
• Recommend program improvements.

Documentation

• Maintain confidential client records.
• Complete intake and assessment forms.
• Record participant progress.
• Prepare monthly statistics and outcome reports.
• Ensure documentation complies with professional and organizational standards.

FINANCIAL AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT

• The Counsellor is rarely involved in financial matters, but may be authorized to spend, disburse, or collect small amounts of cash. They have little input into the annual budget.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The Counsellor works closely with adults Male and Female seeking recovery from substance use, typically in an office and/or classroom setting in a social services facility.
• During some working hours, the Counsellor may be working alone in the program space but is never alone in the facility.
• The Counsellor must follow precautionary measures and all health & safety policies, including but not limited to:
  • Universal precautions
  • WHMIS, Mental Health First Aid, and Non-violent Crisis Intervention training
• The Counsellor works with clients experiencing heightened emotions or in crisis. They may experience verbal abuse from time-to-time. They may be exposed to vicarious trauma.
• Counsellors may be at risk of physical attacks (e.g. violent/aggressive client acting out physically), exposure to infectious diseases, sharp objects, and/or emergency situations.
• This role may occasionally participate in off-site activities with the authorization of their manager.
• The performance of the job requires:
  • Attentive listening skills and observation of body language, continuously monitoring the environment, multitasking, and reading
  • Continuously sitting, occasional packing and lifting (no more than 20lbs without assistance) of client property/personal effects.
  • Close attention when interviewing clients, and frequent documentation on a computer.
• The Counsellor is responsible for their own time and effort only. They may demonstrate work methods to new employees, volunteers and/or students.
• This position requires minimal local travel, such as program activities, community events, and off-site training.

The above responsibilities must be performed in keeping with The Salvation Army’s Mission, Vision and Values, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• The Counsellor will hold a college diploma in a counselling field.
• The ideal candidate will be a member in good standing with a Canadian counselling certification body, holding a designation such as ICADC, RCC, RPC, RSW, MSW or equivalent.
• Criminal Record Review Program clearance to work with vulnerable adults
• Current Certification or willingness to obtain certification in:
  • First Aid/CPR
  • Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (or equivalent)
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • Naloxone Training/Overdose Response

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• At least two years of prior related experience, including one year of experience in recovery-focused substance use/addiction treatment services, including facilitation and group therapy and one year of experience in a direct service (frontline) role
• Comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based, trauma-informed practices in addictions treatment, the principles of recovery, and motivational interviewing
• Demonstrated ability to provide care that acknowledges diverse social, psychological, and cultural needs
• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally safe care; completion of Indigenous Cultural Safety Training is an asset
• Experience in a community care licensed facility is an asset
• Lived experience is an asset.
• Ability and willingness to undergo applicable screening and background checks successfully that are satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion (i.e., The Salvation Army Abuse Registry) and provide an original copy of a Background Check screening.

Skills and Capabilities

• Clear understanding of the needs, strengths, challenges, and opportunities for clients and marginalized population including substance use, mental health, homelessness, and gender-based violence

• Demonstrated ability to provide a healthy, safe, non-judgmental space for clients accessing social services and/or residential care.
• Demonstrated comfort and skill working with diverse populations
• Strong interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in writing and verbally in English
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility
• Strategic thinking and planning, creative and collaborative problem solving
• Clear, consistent, and values-oriented decision-making
• Strong skills in Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and client database systems
• Experience with CAMS (Case Administration Management System) or other client database is an asset

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $31.88 to $39.84 with a maximum of $47.82.

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [email protected] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.