Recovery Counselor

Job Title: Recovery Counselor Company: John Howard Society, Nanaimo Location: In Person, Nanaimo Correction Center, Nanaimo, BC Job Type: Part-time, Permanent Work hours: 17.5 hour per week, between Mon - Fri, 8 am to 4 pm Salary: $32.45 - $34.42 per hour **Who We Are**: John Howard Society, Nanaimo is a fast paced growing, dynamic and innovative social service organization that strives to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all. Our goal is to help individuals achieve greater independence by providing support with housing, life-skills, education, employment, and community-based services. At John Howard Society, we come from various backgrounds and share a common goal of wanting to make things better in our community, for our community. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that adapts to your needs. **Our Vision, Mission, Goals, and Values**: - Our Vision: A safe, healthy, and inclusive community for all - Our Mission: We contribute to a safer, stronger and more sustainable communities by supporting people to achieve greater independence - Our Goals: - Service Excellence: Improve the quality of life of the people we service through more relevant, accessible and sustainable services. - Organizational Sustainability: Realize a resilient operational and governance model that supports JHSV to consistently serve the end-to-end client journey. - Capacity: Increase our capacity to work effectively and efficiently as a team.- Our Values: - Our Service Commitments (How we provide services to clients) - Dignity, Advocacy, Empowerment - Team Values (How we work together) - Collaboration, Accountability, Resiliency**What We Offer**: - Supportive Environment: Our Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities are designed to help you succeed both personally and professionally. We invest in our employees' growth through training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities. - Engaging Culture: Be part of a friendly team that values your input With numerous employee engagements, you can make your voice heard and contribute to meaningful change for our clients and our community. - Employee Engagement: We often organize team and social gatherings to strengthen relationships and foster camaraderie to create a supportive network among colleagues. - Impactful Work: Employees at JHS Victoria are driven by a shared mission to make a positive difference in the community. Engaging in meaningful work enhances job satisfaction and connects team members to a greater purpose. **About the Program**: Guthrie Therapeutic Community (GTC) is a specialized four-month residential substance misuse treatment program serving adult males who are in provincial custody at Nanaimo Correctional Centre. This 48-bed therapeutic community, separate from the rest of the correctional center, combines work, treatment, counselling and behavioural modelling to address the root causes of addiction and give residents a chance at a new beginning. Since 2007, John Howard Society of Victoriahas partnered with BC Corrections to deliver this unique program, the first therapeutic community to operate in a Canadian correctional facility. Nanaimo Correctional Centre, located at 3945 Biggs Road, and operated by the province, houses individuals awaiting trialorserving a custodial sentence under two years. **Position Summary**: The Position reports to Manager, Therapeutic Program The Recovery Counsellor plays a vital role in supporting residents on their journey of addiction recovery. Drawing on “lived experience”—firsthand knowledge gained through overcoming challenges such as addiction, homelessness, mental health struggles, or justice system involvement—the Recovery Counsellor offers guidance, support, and inspiration rooted in genuine understanding. By modeling what successful recovery and stability can look like, the Peer Counsellor actively engages in group activities, pre-release planning, one-to-one support, community engagement, and outreach efforts. This is an in-person role with no opportunity for remotely. **What You'll Be Doing**: Client / Resident Support (80%) - Provide daily guidance and clinical support to residents within the Therapeutic Community Program, promoting recovery, emotional safety, and overall well-being. - Deliver person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive assessments, therapeutic interventions, case management, and referrals to internal or community-based supports. - Conduct comprehensive Needs Assessments and Intake Assessments to co-develop individualized service or treatment plans in collaboration with residents and the Case Management team. - Facilitate group and individual peer counseling sessions, with an emphasis on accountability, emotional regulation, and "Right Living" principles. - Promote resident accountability through "Right Living Concepts", supporting peer-led initiatives, peer-led activities, and foster accountability among reside