Youth Outreach Substance Use Counsellor

ASTRA Program, Chilliwack

Regular Full Time (35 hours weekly)  |  Grid 13 ($30.86 - $32.17/hour)  |  Reporting to: Manager, Chilliwack Health & Housing Centre

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 Astra Youth Outreach Substance Use Counsellor provides individualized alcohol and substance use supports to young people (aged 13 – 24, with emphasis on 13 – 18) residing in the catchment area of Chilliwack, and is part of a larger Chilliwack Substance Use team. Their primary role is to engage in one-to-one supportive counselling and outreach services. In some instances, the counsellor may be required to organize and facilitate groups. 

One-to-one outreach support and individual counselling includes referrals, needs assessments, and goal setting around issues of substance use and general stabilization. This Chilliwack role also connects with organizations working with more street-entrenched youth to provide substance use education and supports, including outreach with Cyrus Centre, providing direct supports to Chilliwack’s Situation Table, and time spent in the SD33’s alternative schools. The position requires a sound understanding of normal and delayed development, addictions theory, motivational theory, cultural safety specific to the First Nations people, and the adverse effects of trauma and abuse.  Specific skills or interest in physical and recreational activities and life skills instruction are an asset.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates Program Within the Catchment Area (Chilliwack)
• To Provide One-to-One Counselling and Support Services
• Utilize Case Management System, Case Notes, Assessment Tools, Goal Planning, Treatment Referrals
• To Operate and/or Co-facilitate Groups
• Work as a Member of a Treatment Team
• Maintains Administrative Policies, Health and Safety

Qualifications

• BSW or BA in a related field plus 1 years’ experience, or Child and Youth Care or relevant discipline plus 2 years direct experience. Substance use or Addiction Counselling training. Combination of experience and education is considered
• Experience working in an alcohol and substance use support and treatment environment
  
• Criminal record check including the vulnerable sector
  
• Standard first-aid certificate and CPR 
  
• Valid Driver’s License, Use of own vehicle (Business Insurance and $3 Million Liability) with reimbursement
  
• Basic Computer Skills
  
• Understanding of concurrent disorders and mental health
• Understanding of Harm Reduction strategies within the substance use sector
• Knowledge of normal and delayed or problematic development and behaviour, barriers to support, addictions theory, motivational theory, the effects of abuse and trauma, and Indigenous culture.
• Sound judgement and effective interpersonal skills
• Clear communication skills, verbal and written
• Trauma-informed practice and suicide intervention training

Additional Assets

• Experience with Suicide Risk Assessment and Safety Planning
  
• Cultural Safety Training
  
• Naloxone-trained/Familiarity with Harm Reduction 
  
• Knowledge of Chilliwack and Chilliwack resources
  
• Other certification in Recreation or Arts
  

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.