Addiction Specialist

Kenora HART Hub

2 FTE

Position Description:

The Homelessness, Addiction, and Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub is a collaborative initiative designed to provide a seamless continuum of care through a culturally responsive and healing-centered model. Tailored to meet the needs of individuals facing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges, the Kenora HART Hub serves as a vital anchor for support within the Kenora geographical area, and surrounding communities. By delivering coordinated, compassionate, and evidence-based services, the HART Hub ensures equitable access to care. This approach integrates holistic and culturally grounded practices, to promote stability, healing, and long-term recovery for members who are most vulnerable within our communities.

Reporting to the team lead, the Addiction Specialist will be on a rotation through the Kenora HART Hub, as well as multiple sites in First Nation Communities liaising closely with NDAADAP teams in First Nation. The Addiction Specialist plays a key role in delivering person-centered, culturally safe, trauma informed, addiction and relapse prevention focused, clinical case management for addiction services in First Nation communities and in the HART Hub. In this role you will provide trauma informed addiction counselling and support for individuals navigating addictions, throughout the continuum of care in recovery, outreach, clinical expertise, and advocacy while meeting the individuals where they are both physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Position Title: Addiction Specialist

Department: Mental Health and Addictions

Term: Full-time

Location: Kenora, ON

Reports to: Mental Health and Addictions Programs Manager

Starting Salary: 90,000 - 100,000

Key Areas of Responsibility

- Provide mental health/substance use counselling relying on both mainstream practices such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and best practice interventions in supporting individuals with concurrent disorders;

- Ability to select and administer Indigenous focused screening, evidence informed screening tools as part of a standardized screening process to determine program eligibility and level of care required.

- Conduct substance use assessments, program intake, screening, and discharge planning.

- Facilitate connecting individuals with appropriate culture-based interventions by working in tandem with KCA Cultural Coordinators, and any other relevant staff inclusive of the HART Hub;

- Develop and utilize a recovery model that encompasses a wholistic approach to supporting individuals with substance use challenges;

- Monitor clients’ progress, goals and needs, using a stepped-care approach;

- Develop and implement individualized after care plans for recovery;

- Monitor progress and adjust after care plans as needed.

- Work within a harm reduction and recovery framework;

- Provide technology-based and in-person service;

- Ensure documentation is accurate and completed in a timely manner;

- Adhere to KCA policies and procedures, in accordance with the KCA Code of Ethics;

- Communicate with the direct supervisor regarding any critical situations with clients;

- Provide ongoing emotional support to individuals post detox or treatment to ensure adequate support through addiction recovery;

Counseling Role

- Deliver therapeutic interventions focusing on recovery support, as well as treatment readiness that are wholistic, culturally safe, meeting the individual ‘where they’re at’ while leveraging inter-professional supports which play a role in the individual’s care.

- Build a trusting working relationship and rapport with individuals who may be hesitant to access services.

- Develop and implement individualized care plans focusing on harm reduction, stabilization, capacity building and long‑term continuum of care and recovery.

- Perform in-depth evaluations of psychosocial factors, including substance use, mental health, housing, and social influences on overall well‑being.

- With consent from individuals, include key people in their lives in therapeutic work where their involvement will contribute to their well‑being.

- Maintain accurate documentation and participate in ongoing professional development

- First Nation Community Based help for individuals within their aftercare planning by identifying and managing relapse triggers and coping strategies that support relapse prevention.

HART Hub

- Connect individuals to other services if needed through existing pathways to the shelter, housing supports, hygiene supplies, showers, washers and dryers, employment, income/financial support, food security, referrals, social supports, and any other additional resources available that the individual might need.

- Deliver crisis intervention and care for high‑risk individuals accessing the HART Hub and connecting them to the appropriate additional support needed.

- Facilitate workshops, peer support groups, and psychoeducational programs to enhance Mental Health and Addictions education, awareness and to support the reduction of stigma in the community.

- Encourage active client participation and self-empowerment by cultivating an environment that is safe, inclusive and uplifting.

- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to support individual needs through the HART Hub.

- Adhere to HART Hub’s Mandate, policies and procedures.

- Participate in multi-service case conferences, team meetings, and quality improvement initiatives

- Facilitate peer support groups, recovery circles, and relapse prevention groups.

Qualifications

- Minimum 1-year experience counseling and/or doing healing/therapeutic work with individuals;

- Excellent rapport and ability to work with youth and adults;

- Ability to deal with crisis and post‑crisis situations;

- Excellent skills in the following areas: team work, computer, organization, networking, interpersonal, presentation and communication (written & oral);

- Knowledge of the Anishinaabe culture and language, and experience working in First Nation communities is an asset;

- Ability to demonstrate and work through a lens of sensitivity to diversity related to race, religion, culture, cognitive functioning, poverty, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Education

- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master’s level degree in Social Work (MSW), Psychology or Counselling from a recognized post‑secondary institution.

- Eligible for membership in your professional organization.

Position Requirements

- Valid driver’s license and vehicle;

- Willing to travel;

- Willing and able to work evenings and weekends;

- Willing and able to be mentored, and receive training in order to develop competencies for designation as ‘Addictions Specialist’;

- Current satisfactory criminal reference check with vulnerable sector search;

- Understanding of the language of the Anishinaabe language (Ojibway) is an asset.

- Knowledge of regional mental health and social supports/services, as well as traditional healing would be considered an asset

Why Join Kenora Chiefs Advisory?

At KCA, we are committed to fostering a positive, inclusive, and supportive workplace where every team member can thrive. Our employees are valued for their contributions and are expected to uphold our mission, values, and objectives while maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, and integrity.

We believe in empowering our teams to make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve and in creating opportunities for personal and professional growth. KCA offers a competitive compensation package, comprehensive benefits, and ongoing learning and development opportunities to support your success.

If you’re a dedicated and motivated professional who wants to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you Apply today and become part of a team that’s helping to build stronger, healthier communities.

Please forward your resume, cover letter and three references to:

Human Resource Department

Kenora Chiefs Advisory

P.O. Box 349- 240 Veterans Drive, 3rd Floor

Kenora ON P9N 3X4

Fax: 807-467-2656

Email: resume@kenorachiefs.org

*We thank all that apply, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted

* Traditional practices involve burning sacred medicines including tobacco, sweetgrass, sage and cedar within the work setting

Ogimaawabiitong is committed to providing accommodations for persons with disabilities. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know

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