Addiction Counsellor

OverviewAt House of Friendship, we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion, Inclusion, Justice, Dignity and Hope. And we have funSounds pretty great, doesn’t it? It isThis role will be performed in the Addiction Services, Live-In Treatment program. The Addiction Counsellor will provide both group and individual addiction counselling as well as case management to program participants.This is a permanent, salaried, full-time (37.5 hours per week) position with paid sick time, personal days, vacation time; group health benefits and defined contribution pension plan. Schedule Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm. Successful completion of a Police Records Check (Vulnerable Sector) required pre-employment.Key ResponsibilitiesSubstance use assessments and program screening, intake, completion, discharge and referralDevelop treatment plan collaboratively with participant, monitor and evaluate participant progressDevelop accommodation plans for participants as neededDevelop and implement evidence-based programming including creating and promoting specialized workshops that address the needs of the communityIndividual and group counselling delivered both in person and virtually using an eclectic therapeutic approachCase management including case consultation, treatment planning and working collaboratively with external and internal partnersAssess complex situations and make appropriate decisions independently and as part of a team including crisis intervention, risk assessment and safety planningEstablish strong, therapeutic rapport and maintain appropriate professional relationshipsComplete documentation and data entry in accordance with agency and legislative requirementsMaintain confidentiality in compliance with Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)Participation and involvement in other programs, Addiction Services and broader agency activitiesWork as part of a team including attending the team meetings, trainings and regular supervision meetingsSupport onboarding and training of new team membersCommitment to ongoing professional development and trainingJob Specific Knowledge/SkillsSensitivity to and knowledge of issues relating to and impacting on all genders and all marginalized populationsCommitment to stage matched, strengths based, person-centred quality psychotherapy servicesKnowledge of and training in substance use including associated health risksKnowledge of community resources and provincial addiction treatment servicesDemonstrated capacity for accurate and efficient documentation and computer data entryDemonstrated ability to calmly problem-solve in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environmentStrong communication and listening skillsAbility to work independently, as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary teamAbility to accept and apply feedback and take initiativeExperience working within a non-profit and/or social services environmentCommitment to work with and support training of students, volunteers and new employees as requiredCommitment to ongoing professional development and trainingGroup facilitation and management skillsEducation/ExperienceUniversity Degree in Counselling, Social Work or a Related Field of StudyProfessional registration, in good standing, as either a Social Worker or Social Services Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or a Psychotherapist (including qualifying) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)Minimum 1 year experience in an addiction and/or counselling settingDemonstrated understanding of working with individuals experiencing concurrent disordersKnowledge and understanding of the complexities of substances, problematic substance use and recovery oriented interventions, evidence informed practices and clinical treatment modalities requiredCritical SkillsCommitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expectedExemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem solving skills requiredAbility to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community membersExperience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needsExperience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation, program design, evaluations of processes and service deliveryDemonstrated ability to create and maintain a positive work environment including the ability to navigate change in a positive and productive mannerMust be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player, and have a positive attitudeRespectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental illness and other life challengesExcellent project, timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics, planning and detailed record keepingCompensationAt House of Friendship, we know that our team members are the key to the success of our organization and our ability to provide essential services to the community. In support of our mission and in alignment with our values, House of Friendship is committed to ensuring fair, market competitive, and rewarding compensation practices for all of our team members. We aspire to support our team members to create a great work environment where our team is able to thrive, succeed, and have a positive work experience.House of Friendship compensation practices including our pay grid, have been developed using documented leading pay practices in the not-for-profit sector including Pathways to Decent Work (Ontario Nonprofit Network) and Ontario Living Wage Network. We value the experience that new team members bring to the organization and have a process in place to review previous related experience for placement on our pay grid.We value the work that you do with fair pay and benefits:Time off includes three (3) weeks of vacation, 5 personal days (3 for 2025) and sick credits totaling approximately 12 days per yearFull-time benefit plan including Extended Health Care (EHC), Dental, Group Life, AD&D, Long Term Disability (LTD), Flexible Spending Account and Employee & Family Assistance ProgramWe believe strongly in supporting the mental health of our team members, including providing access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program, $2,000 for counselling services and our workplace Wellness and Psychological Health and Safety programsWe help you save for the future by providing a retirement plan that includes a matched Group Pension Plan as well as a Group RRSP and a Group Tax Free Savings AccountRate of PayAt House of Friendship all compensation ranges are categorized under a series of “grades” and we base our payment structure on internal equity. When determining rate of pay, a candidate’s past related experience will be taken into consideration.Grade: 5Min: $27.31Mid: $31.34Max: $35.37Working Conditions37.5 hours per weekRequired to work intensively with program participants in emotionally charged situationsRequired to assess situations and make decisions under pressure with minimal supervision or working aloneRequired to meet with participants in their homes and in the community for some programsTravel within Waterloo Region and Wellington County required for some programsEncountering participants at program sites who may be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and/or experiencing symptoms of mental illness can be expectedHouse of Friendship is open and inviting to qualified candidates with lived experience.House of Friendship supports justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We strive to be a workplace free of harassment and discrimination and we are committed to removing barriers and being an inclusive, work environment. House of Friendship is a place where each person can bring their true selves and feel that they belong. We aspire to be an organization that is anti-racist and anti-oppressive so that our team, and therefore our community, can truly belong and thrive.We invite applications from all qualified candidates and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to accessing employment including, but not limited to Indigenous Peoples, members of racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.If you require accommodations to be able to participate fully at any stage in the recruitment process, including applying for this position, please let us know so that we can discuss accommodation options. Accommodations will be provided upon request.If you are as passionate as we are about serving the community, let’s talk.To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter here:https://house-of-friendship.hirehive.com/addiction-counsellor-li-tx-kitchener-on-3hegKkBy end of day November 10, 2025. #J-18808-Ljbffr