Youth Outreach Substance Use Counsellor

ASTRA Program, Surrey Substance Use & Mental Health Services

Term Full Time  |  Grid 13 ($30.86 - $32.17/hour)  |  Term Length: One Year, Possibility of Extension  |  Reporting to: Charlotte Rechkemmer, Team Lead

Pacific Community Resources Society is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from people of all gender identities and expressions, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and visible minorities. Persons who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact our HR department at hr@pcrs.ca. Personal information will be kept confidential.

Opportunity

The Youth Outreach Substance Use Counsellor is a member of a decentralized team (each person is assigned a catchment area) that provides individual support and counselling services to young people (aged 13 – 24, with emphasis on 13 – 18) with a substance use concern, residing in the assigned catchment area. Their primary role is to engage in one-to-one outreach counselling and support. As needed, the counsellor will organize and facilitate groups, organize and participate in recreation activities, and provide services at local youth service hubs. The position works within the strategic objectives of Pacific Community Resources Society (PCRS) to ensure the provision of effective and efficient services to the participants.

This position works flexible hours, including the potential for evenings and weekends. The regular work week is Monday to Friday daytime.

This not a hybrid work position and is site based. Whilst this is an outreach position, work is based from the Newton Youth Hub. 

Responsibilities

• Provide individual counselling and support services to youth in relation to their substance use.
• Offer services on an outreach basis as necessary.
• Screen, process and accept referrals, complete intake and orientation processes for youth as per policy, complete basic assessments and develop service goals in collaboration with participant and referral source.
• Document and maintain case notes utilizing the agency’s data base system.
• When required, develop, implement and facilitate group sessions that are relevant to local needs.
• Provide services at local youth services hubs and community partners in consultation with supervisor.
• Engage in case conferencing regularly with supervisor and report critical incidents immediately.
• Act as a positive role model and assist participants in developing values of honesty, self-assertiveness, and respect for others, a democratic viewpoint, and lack of dependency on drugs, alcohol, and self-abusive and destructive behavior.
• Maintain health and safety of self, participants and community; manage inappropriate behavior and emergency situations according to agency policy and practice. 
• Liaise with community members as required; represent PCRS professionally.
• Collaborate with other professionals for service goal development, group sessions and referrals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or other field plus 2 years’ experience, or Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Youth Care or a relevant discipline plus 2 years direct experience. Substance use/Addiction Counselling training. Combination of experience and education is considered.
• Experience providing youth alcohol and drug services within a biopsychosocial –spiritual framework.
• Knowledge of learning disabilities (including FASD, ADHD), barriers to support, addictions theory, motivational theory, the effects of abuse and trauma, and aboriginal culture.
• Excellent computer skills and administrative capabilities.
• Criminal record check including the vulnerable sector
• Standard First-Aid & CPR certificate
• Valid B.C. driver’s license
• Regular access to an insured personal vehicle is required
• Driver’s abstract must be submitted

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About PCRS

Pacific Community Resources Society (PCRS) is a large not-for-profit agency that serves some of the most vulnerable people in our communities from Vancouver to Hope. We work with youth and vulnerable adults in the areas of education, employment, housing, substance use and mental health, and youth and family support services. We are CARF Accredited and a Certified Living Wage Employer.

We are grateful to operate on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷm əθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Qw'?ntl'en (Kwantlen), se’mya’me (Semiahmoo), sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen), q̓ic̓əy (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Coquitlam), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), máthxwi (Matsqui) and Stó:lō Nations.

Our Vision     Everyone thriving in strong, healthy communities!

Our Mission   To inspire healthy and inclusive communities through leadership and collaboration.

Our Values    Advocacy, Diversity and Inclusion, Empowerment, Service Excellence, Stewardship, Well-being

We Offer Our Staff

• Equitable Base Pay – we are a Certified Living Wage Employer
• Generous paid vacation time, personal time, sick time; additional paid time off for life events
• Additional paid holidays, ex. Easter Monday, Boxing Day *
• Extended health, prescription, dental & vision care plan, with 100% Employer-Paid Premiums*
• Disability and Life Insurance Coverage *
• Employee & Family Assistance Program including preventative health & counselling *
• Membership in the Municipal Pension Plan with generous employer contributions *
• Flexible schedules and earned time off program *
• Full-day agency orientation and extensive training, with regular ongoing performance evaluations
• In-house digital and classroom learning opportunities; staff funding for professional development *
• Opportunities to use your voice & participate in committees on policy, wellness, safety, EDI, etc.

* Eligibility will vary depending on terms and role requirements – details for this posting will be provided on request.