Intake Counsellor/Caseworker - Women’s Treatment

The Intake Counsellor / Caseworker – Women’s Treatment is responsible for the intake, initial counselling, and casework processes for clients in Harbour Light’s Women’s Treatment program. They interview and screen potential clients, determine client suitability, and support clients through the intake process. They perform initial assessments and provide individual and/or group counselling to clients during the pretreatment phase of the Treatment program. They support casework, relapse prevention, and discharge planning for all clients, including referrals to other services. They provide counselling support and facilitate recovery activities for all clients. They contribute to regular and special program activities, development, and evaluation, as a collaborative member of the Treatment team.

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• The Counsellor will hold a minimum of two (2) years of community college in a counselling or social work 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.
• Ability to receive enhanced federal reliability status to work with federal correctional clients.
• Current Certification or willingness to obtain certification in:

1. First Aid/CPR
2. Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (or equivalent)
3. Mental Health First Aid
4. Naloxone Training/Overdose response

• Documentation confirming compliance with the Province’s immunization and tuberculosis control program, per Residential Care Regulations.

Experience/Knowledge:

• At least one (1) year frontline casework or counselling experience in recovery-focused substance use or related setting, including facilitation and group therapy.
• At least one (1) year experience in a direct service (frontline) role serving women/female-identifying clients.
• Knowledge of evidence-based, trauma-informed practices in addiction 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.

Required Skills/Capabilities:

• Clear understanding of the needs, strengths, challenges, and opportunities for women and marginalized genders in the DTES, 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, particularly in programs serving women/female-identifying clients.
• 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.

HOURS:

Casual - This is a Casual position without guaranteed hours. If scheduled for shifts, hours of work will be 7am-3pm, Tuesday to Saturday.