Addiction Counsellor (SC)

At 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 fun!

Sounds pretty great doesnt it It is!

This role is part of the Concurrent Supportive Housing (CSH) team located at ShelterCare in the Health Initiatives program.

The ShelterCare Model is designed to integrate health and housing resources to address the complex and overlapping needs of men experiencing housing instability in our region. This program supports individuals in improving their health wellness and life skills with the goal of securing appropriate permanent housing and minimizing the duration of their homelessness. The Health Initiative program specifically focuses on all health-related programming including on-site primary care provided in partnership with community health clinics and specialized providers as well as clinical counselling and mental health interventions delivered by registered mental health professionals. The program also offers harm reduction supports tailored to meet individuals where they are in their recovery journey and strengths-based case management is provided through a multidisciplinary team with a focus on client-defined goals and coordinated Addiction Counsellor will provide both group and individual addiction counselling as well as case management to program participants.

• This is a 1 year contract position from approximately mid-December 2025 to mid-December 2026. This is a full-time position offering 37.5 paid hours per week. Schedule generally Monday to Friday 8 : 30am to 4 : 30pm. Some flexibility is required including one (1) evening shift per week. Successful completion of a Police Records Check (Vulnerable Sector)

required pre-employment.

Key Responsibilities :

Substance use assessments and program screening intake completion discharge and referral

Develop treatment plan collaboratively with participant monitor and evaluate participant progress

Develop accommodation plans for participants as needed

Develop and implement evidence-based programming including creating and promoting specialized workshops that address the needs of the community

Individual and group counselling delivered both in person and virtually using an eclectic therapeutic approach

Case management including case consultation treatment planning and working collaboratively with external and internal partners

Assess complex situations and make appropriate decisions independently and as part of a team including crisis intervention risk assessment and safety planning

Establish strong therapeutic rapport and maintain appropriate professional relationships

Complete documentation and data entry in accordance with agency and legislative requirements

Maintain confidentiality in compliance with Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)

Participation and involvement in other programs Addiction Services and broader agency activities

Work as part of a team including attending the team meetings trainings and regular supervision meetings

Support onboarding and training of new team members

Commitment to ongoing professional development and training

Job Specific Knowledge / Skills :

Sensitivity to and knowledge of issues relating to and impacting on all genders and all marginalized populations

Commitment to stage matched strengths based person-centred quality psychotherapy services

Knowledge of and training in substance use including associated health risks

Knowledge of community resources and provincial addiction treatment services

Demonstrated capacity for accurate and efficient documentation and computer data entry

Demonstrated ability to calmly problem-solve in a fast-paced sometimes stressful environment

Strong communication and listening skills

Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team

Ability to accept and apply feedback and take initiative

Experience working within a non-profit and / or social services environment

Commitment to work with and support training of students volunteers and new employees as required

Commitment to ongoing professional development and training

Ability to accept and apply feedback and take initiative

Group facilitation and management skills

Education / Experience :

University Degree in Counselling Social Work or a Related Field of Study

Professional 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 setting

Demonstrated understanding of working with individuals experiencing concurrent disorders

Knowledge and understanding of the complexities of substances problematic substance use and recovery oriented interventions evidence informed practices and clinical treatment modalities required

Critical Skills :

Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected

Exemplary emotional intelligence resilience communication conflict management and problem solving skills required

Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff participants and community members

Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds income levels and sensitivity to their needs

Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation program design evaluations of processes and service delivery

Demonstrated ability to create and maintain a positive work environment including the ability to navigate change in a positive and productive manner

Must be dependable professional flexible a team player and have a positive attitude

Respectful supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and / or cognitive disabilities addictions mental illness and other life challenges

Excellent project timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics planning and detailed record keeping

Compensation :

At 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 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 vacation pay and 2 personal days per year

Employee & Family Assistance Program

Rate of Pay :

At House of Friendship all compensation ranges are categorized under a series of grades and we base our payment structure on internal determining rate of pay a candidates past related experience will be taken into consideration.

Grade : 5

Min : $27.31

Mid : $31.34

Max : $35.37

Working Conditions :

1 year contract 37.5 hours per week

Required to work intensively with program participants in emotionally charged situations

Required to assess situations and make decisions under pressure with minimal supervision or working alone

Some group facilitation at community locations

Required to meet with participants in their homes and in the community for some programs

Travel within Waterloo Region and Wellington County required for some programs

Encountering participants at program sites who may be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs and / or experiencing symptoms of mental illness can be expected

House 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 lets talk.

To apply please submit your resume and cover letter here :

end of day December 19 2025 .

Key Skills

Experience Working With Students,Organizational skills,Classroom Management,Behavioral Health,Classroom Experience,Mediation Experience,Special Education,Conflict Management,Teaching,Experience with Children,Public Speaking,Word Processing

Employment Type : Contract

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1