Youth Substance Use Counsellor (6-Month Term)

Job summary

The counsellor provides individual and group support to youth, facilitating recreational activities and therapeutic sessions. They are responsible for conducting intakes, developing service goals, and maintaining accurate case documentation.

Job details

Wage Grid 13 Last Date to Apply: Open Until Filled About the Program The Day, Evening, Weekend for Youth (DEWY) program supports youth (ages 13-19) who wish to address their substance use by providing them with a community treatment program. The program combines a mixture of therapeutic group process, intentional recreation activities and individual counselling. Working from evidence -based practice, the four pillars of DEWY’s approach to supporting recovery include mindfulness practice, relapse management, values-based living and enhancing motivation towards recovery. Hours & Conditions of Work * Term Full Time * 6 Month Term, possibility of extension * 35 hours weekly * Working Hours - Generally regular daytime hours, with availability to work some evenings and weekends. Position Summary The Youth Substance Use Counsellor position provides supportive counselling services to youth. The primary role is to support participants in engaging with program components, including recreational activities, one-to-one supportive counselling, and group counselling. The Youth Substance Use Counsellor co-leads and coordinates core program groups, organizes and facilitates recreational activities, and provides support to participants involved in alumni activities. The position requires a sound understanding of adolescent development, substance use theory, motivational interviewing, and the effects of trauma. Skills in recreation and life skills instruction are an asset. Responsibilities * Provides individual counselling and support services to youth in relation to their substance use * Supports drop-in counselling with associated PCRS programs * Reviews, processes, and accepts referrals, complete intake and orientation processes for youth, complete assessments and develop service goals in collaboration with participant and referral sources * Maintains documentation and case notes utilizing the agency’s database system which can include reportable incidents * Develops, implements, and facilitates group sessions that are relevant to local needs * Provides services at local youth services hubs and community partners, in consultation with program leadership * Engages in case conferencing regularly with program leadership * Functions as a positive role model and assist participants in developing values * Follows agency guidelines to ensure the safety of self, participants, and other staff * Consults with community members and stakeholders as required; represents PCRS professionally * Collaborate with other professionals for service goal development, group sessions and referrals Competencies & Knowledge * Knowledge of neurodevelopmental differences and learning disabilities (including FASD and ADHD), barriers to accessing support, substance use theory and recovery-oriented approaches, motivational interviewing, the impacts of trauma and abuse, and Indigenous cultures and perspectives * Competence with computer skills and administrative capabilities * Substance use counselling training

What you’ll do

The counsellor provides individual and group support to youth, facilitating recreational activities and therapeutic sessions. They are responsible for conducting intakes, developing service goals, and maintaining accurate case documentation.

Requirements

Candidates must have a sound understanding of adolescent development, substance use theory, and trauma-informed practice. Proficiency in motivational interviewing and experience in facilitating group sessions are essential for this role.

Listed skills

• Interviewing · Preferred
• Collaboration · Preferred
• Leadership · Preferred
• management · Preferred
• Process · Preferred
• Documentation · Preferred
• Development · Preferred
• professionally · Preferred
• Recreational activities · Preferred
• Administrative · Preferred
• positive · Preferred
• ADHD · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Substance use counselling
• Motivational interviewing
• Adolescent development
• Trauma-informed care
• Group facilitation
• Recreational activity planning
• Case management
• Crisis intervention
• Documentation
• Assessment
• Life skills instruction
• Mindfulness practice
• Relapse management
• Values-based living
• Support Services
• Database Systems
• Motivational Interviewing
• Adolescent Psychology
• Management
• Medical Records
• Computer Literacy
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Group Dynamics
• Leadership
• Learning Disabilities
• Life Skills Development
• Trauma Care

Job areas

• Social Services
• Healthcare
• Substance Use Counselor
• Youth Counselor / Worker
• Social Work and Counselling Professionals
• Counselors, All Other