CASE MANAGER, ADDICTIONS SPECIALIST Housing First for Encampments (HF4E) Two (2) Bargaining Unit, Permanent Full-Time Positions Tuesday-Saturday, 11:00am-7:00pm Sunday-Thursday, 11:00am-7:00pm Compensation: $29.40/hour- $34.11/hour About Cota Cota is an accredited not-for-profit organization that has been providing community-based support to people living with mental health and cognitive challenges for over 50 years. At present, our wide array of services delivers much needed support to over 4,000 people/year who live with mental health challenges, psychogeriatric mental health conditions, acquired brain injuries, developmental disabilities, dual diagnoses and/or the experience of homelessness. These services include, but are not limited to, case management, supportive housing and adult day program services. A full listing of our services can be viewed on our website at https://cotainspires.ca/

Cota is presently seeking a dynamic and innovative individual to join our amazing team in the capacity of the role outlined within this posting. Followed by our mission to support individuals with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their communities, we strive toward a vision of a supportive, inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. If you feel you have the skills and qualifications to perform the duties of this role while consistently exemplifying Cota’s values Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation, we would love to hear from you.

Role Overview The Case Manager, Addiction Specialist provides case management support and care for the over all well-being of clients. Additionally, the Case Manager will have specific expertise which will allow them to provide education and information regarding substance use and harm reduction strategies.

About The Team The Case Manager, Addiction Specialist is linked to Cota’s Assertive Housing First Team (AHFT), with a targeted focus on individuals residing in encampments in East Toronto. The Housing First for Encampments (HF4E) branch of AHFT, provides targeted, assertive outreach supports specifically to 40 individuals currently residing in encampments in East Toronto. HF4E is a City of Toronto funded research project, in collaboration with CAMH, LOFT and Na-Me-Res.

The Assertive Housing First Team (AHFT) utilizes an interdisciplinary team model and a Housing First approach to support individuals who are homeless and living with mental health challenges. AHFT is an interdisciplinary team comprised of Case Managers who have expertise in Mental Health, Addictions and Nursing, and Peer Support Specialist.

The Case Manager, RN will contribute to the development of comprehensive person-centered psychiatric and physical health assessments and treatment plans, and provide community-based case management supports to an assigned group of service users, including education, crisis intervention, and linking to community resources. This position also will provide social, educational, and addiction group activities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assertive outreach to potential clients in encampments
• Conduct face-to-face assessments with clients at their locations including but not limited to encampments, streets, shelters and hospitals
• Initiate services to clients at the point of intake to ensure that proper assessment and initial service response occurs
• Develop coordinated care plans with/for clients and complete the Ontario Common Assessment of Need (OCAN), and other assessments as required
• Administering and Management of client’s medications in conjunction with team psychiatrist
• Provide community-based case management supports, including education, crisis and harm reduction intervention
• Making referrals to community services
• Interact directly with referral sources, physicians, and other services involved in client’s care
• Collaborate with other systems, organizations and individuals from courts, probation, safe beds, hospitals and community to ensure a well-coordinated service system
• Linking to community services and agencies and/or providing support and resources
• Provide housing support to ensure stabilization and eviction prevention
• Provide social/ educational and addiction group activities
• Offer education and information regarding harm reduction strategies, motivating clients to change behaviors associated with their addiction, and relapse prevention
• Assist with ID cards, OAS, OW/ODSP, Trillium, etc
• Support with medical and or mental health challenges
• Support with food security, including purchased of food items for clients
• Accompany to appointments
• Record client status/progress using the appropriate documentation system

Qualifications Education & Experience:

• Post-graduate certificate or diploma in Addictions from an accredited educational institution and equivalent experience and/or background
• GAINS certified considered an asset
• One year of experience in a position identified as Addictions Specialist considered an asset
• Experience working with people who reflect our priority client population, such as racialized communities, indigenous people, who are homeless, people involved in the justice system, people with mental health challenges, and people who have experienced trauma and addictions would be an asset
• Experience, alignment and commitment to harm reduction

Knowledge & Skills

• Competence in providing recovery oriented services: assessments, crisis intervention, basic support, addiction services
• Knowledge of substance use interventions
• Competence in planning, implementing and evaluating group activities
• Demonstrated ability to use problem-solving techniques to identify and assess client need and develop appropriate intervention strategies
• Excellent knowledge of community resources and demonstrated ability to negotiate with others on behalf of clients
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent clinical judgement and decision-making skills, including a keen awareness of client-clinician boundary issues

Other

• Conduct visits in encampments, clients’ homes, hostels, hospitals and other community settings working in sometimes difficult conditions, including hoarding and pest infestations
• Comfortable working with a broad range of client groups.
• Must have access to vehicle (Please note that access to a vehicle means owning, borrowing, or renting the vehicle. Alternatively, using ride services, such as Uber, cab, and taxis at no cost to Cota)

Benefits Upon successful completion of a three-month period of employment, permanent full-time and permanent part-time staff working more than 20 hours per week as well as temporary full-time (with a contract for at least 1 year) and temporary part-time staff (with a contract for at least 1 year and working more than 20 hours per week) will be eligible for employer-paid group insurance benefits. These employer-paid benefits will include:

• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Dental care
• Travel assistance
• Vision care

Permanent full-time and permanent part-time staff working more than 20 hours per week are also required to enroll in employee-paid long-term disability coverage.

Application Details Please complete the application below before August 29 , 2025 at 4:00pm. Cota is deeply committed to promoting diversity, advancing equity and fostering a culture of inclusion. We are respectful of each individual's dignity, unique experience, potential and protected rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code. As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to ensuring our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities that we serve.

Additional Information Interview Process: Cota may choose to conduct parts/all of the hiring process virtually. Please note that as part of maintaining an agile workforce, all Cota staff may be required to be reasonably reassigned to support the operational needs of our essential services.

Screening Process: Please note that Cota uses AI to screen potential applicants for all roles.

We would like to thank all those that apply; however, due to high volumes of interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you, Cota's HR Department.

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Hope, respect, dedication, equity, accountability, teamwork, and innovation are key values of Cota. We are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, upholding dignity, and acknowledging each person's individual contributions and potential as an equal-opportunity employer. We uphold the Ontario Human Right Code and strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ people, and others who provide various viewpoints. Cota ensures an accessible hiring process in line with the AODA principles, providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities. For any accommodation requests, please contact hr_recruitment@cotainspires.ca