Addictions Counsellor

Consider the role of Addictions Counsellor with the Ministry of the Solicitor General at the Niagara Detention Centre, where you will have a unique chance to work with diverse clients as well as a multi-disciplinary team to deliver meaningful services within a correctional environment.

Effective January 1st, 2024 the salary range for this position is $1,213.06 to $1,484.47 per week in compliance with OPSEU Correctional Bargaining Unit collective agreement provisions. The new rates, effective retroactive to January 1, 2024, were recently confirmed and dates for implementation of the new salary rates are still to be determined.

**OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism**: We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

Visit the **OPS Anti-Racism Policy** and the **OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint** pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's **Human Rights Code**. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

**What can I expect to do in this role?**:

- Assist in the development of addiction counselling programs
- Contribute as part of an inter-professional committee focusing on addictions and re-integration of offenders
- Provide rehabilitative addiction counselling services by working with individual or groups of offenders
- Participate in case conferences, treatment planning meetings, discharge planning conferences, and contacting family members, to assist in the coordination of treatment of offenders within the institution
- Liaise with community agencies and self-help organizations, citizen's groups, business, industries, colleges and universities
- Facilitate the completion of recognized addiction assessments
- Other duties, as required

**How do I qualify?**:
**Specialized Knowledge and Experience**:

- You have knowledge of current addiction counselling theories, practices and counselling techniques, substance abuse indicators, group/individual counselling strategies and referral network in the community
- You have understanding of risk and needs assessment tools, criminogenic factors, rehabilitation theories, and related counselling practices
- You have knowledge of community agencies and resources to identify and arrange the appropriate support and discharge resources
- You understand the various sectors involved in the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates after release (i.e. mental health agencies, shelters, employment services, etc.)
- Proficiency with computer software and databases

**Communication and Interpersonal Skills**:

- You are able to connect and build rapport with a diverse client population with varied cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds as well as complex needs
- You have experience providing one-on-one and group counselling
- You are able to effectively communicate with correctional staff, other professionals, and external agency stakeholders
- You have written communication skills to prepare correspondence and accurate reports
- You have tact and diplomacy to handle requests and respond to inquiries

**Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills**:

- You can determine offender/program needs based on input from institutional staff and offenders
- You have reasoning skills to assess an individual's treatment readiness and motivation
- You can resolve issues or matters pertaining to offender participation
- You have organizational skills to prioritize and manage workload

**Additional Information**:
**Address**:

- 1 English Temporary, duration up to 12 months, 1355 Uppers Ln, Thorold, West Region, Vulnerable Sector Check, Credit History Check, Local Police Databases Search, PIP/NICHE/RMS

**Compensation Group**:

- Ontario Public Service Employees Union- Understanding the job ad - definitions
- **Schedule**:

- 3.7**Category**:

- Health and Social Services**Posted on**:

- Monday, March 4, 2024**Note**:
Required security screening checks along with your written consent, will be sent to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), Corporate Talent Programs Branch, Talent and Leadership Division to evaluate the results. If applicable, the TSO, with your written consent, will request and obtain any additional employment screening checks that were not obtained directly by you.

A record under the Criminal Code and/or other federal offence record(s) does not automatically mean you will be ineligible for the position. The employment screening check(s) will only be reviewed and evaluated by the TSO for the purpose of making a security clearance decision. The details of an individual's employment screening check(s) will be considered