Job Title: Community Treatment Counsellor

Duration: Full-Time, Contract ending February 28th, 2027 with possibility of extension

Location: Niagara Region

Hours of Work: 35 hours/week, with evening work as required

Hourly Rate: $28.50 - $35.02 per hour

Reports To: Director of Community Programs

Posting Date: Friday July 31st, 2026

Closing Date: Friday August 7th, 2026 at 4:00 pm

Application Process: Please include a cover letter and resume

Position Summary

The Counsellor provides services to clients participating in the agency’s Community Treatment Program. The Counsellor provides services on a daily basis through a continuum of functions that can include: initial and ongoing screening and assessment, treatment planning and ongoing adjustments as required, community treatment, referral and integration of required services, ongoing data entry and clinical file recording, advocacy, potential conjoint family services, group counselling, and collaboration with other service providers.

Qualifications

- A relevant degree plus two years of addiction counselling or a relevant diploma with 5 years of addiction counselling.
- Registered or in the process of registering with a regulatory college (i.e. Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario)
- Training in DBT, CBT and/or Solution-Focused Therapy would be considered an asset.
- Experience working in a trauma informed care setting.
- Current First Aid and CPR certification, preferred.
- Experience in harm reductions, safety planning and crisis intervention.
- Current criminal record check.
- Valid Driver’s license and insurance.
- Experience using CRMS database.

Skills and Abilities

- Demonstrated ability to work co-operatively and negotiate effectively within a multi-disciplinary team of service providers.
- Effective written and oral communication skills, advanced electronic ability including ease and comfort with electronic clinical files and Microsoft office
- Able to manage crisis and adverse situations with staff, clients and families.
- Problem solving, advocacy, diplomacy and assessment skills.

Details of Position/Hours of Work

Regular work week is 35 hours/week

The Counsellor may be required to work at satellite offices throughout the Niagara region.

Compensation & Benefits

CASON offers a supportive work environment and a competitive benefits package that prioritizes employee well-being, financial security, and professional growth, including:

- Regular work week is 35 hours per week. Hourly wage will range between $28.50 to $35.02 based on education and years of experience.
- Comprehensive health and dental benefits available after 3 months, including extended health care, prescriptions, dental, vision, paramedical services, travel insurance, gender affirmation care, long-term disability, life and AD&D;, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Employer-matched pension plan after 6 months (3% employer contribution matched with 3% employee contribution), with optional voluntary contributions and access to a Financial Advisor.
- Generous paid time off, including 2 weeks’ vacation to start (increasing to 3 weeks after 1 year), 16 paid health days, and 2 personal days annually

Duties and Responsibilities





1. Entry Services

Inquiry contact:

- Collect information in enough detail to determine the client’s immediate needs and to provide direction for the next step.
- Complete an intake with a person to determine if eligible for agency services, to complete the intake form and orient the client to services available at agency and process.

2. Screening and Assessment

- Conduct a standardized screening and assessment session (if required), using approved documents.
- Determine the client’s specific needs, goals, characteristics, problems and stage of change through motivational interviewing, mutual investigation or exploration.
- Provide clients with information about: the links between their problems and substance use /gambling, addictions treatment services and other community resources to address presenting issues and to initiate the treatment planning process by providing motivational feedback.

3. Initial Treatment Planning

- Negotiate individualized treatment plans, based on feedback from the screening and/or assessment results, the client’s strengths, prioritized problem areas, clinical judgement, client’s preference and readiness to change, and identification of potential barriers to treatment entry.
- Develop a clear plan of action; including client’s identified goals, treatment interventions, specific referral as appropriate, duration and frequency of on-going services.

4. Community Treatment

- Conduct individual or group counselling sessions, the frequency and length of sessions may vary depending on the client’s needs and program format.
- Maximize clients participation in treatment, community services and events and actively promote self-efficacy.
- Counselling includes brief intervention, lifestyle and personal counselling to assist individuals to develop skills to manage substance abuse and/or gambling and related problems, and/or maintain and enhance treatment goals.
- Community treatment services also include activities such as early intervention, relapse prevention, crisis intervention, family counselling, follow-up and aftercare.

5. Client Liaison/Advocacy

- Intervene on client's behalf, as requested or indicated, with other agency staff or other community services.
- Inform clients of office policies and grievance procedures when applicable.
- Maintain a skilled counselling relationship between the client and counsellor.

6. Administrative

- Maintain a complete, accurate and comprehensive clinical record of each client contact.
- Report statistics about clinical activities using designated agency format.
- Complete monthly, annual and other reported documentation as required in a punctual and comprehensive manner.
- Maintain client files according to agency policy and procedures.

7. Team and Organizational Responsibilities





- Work closely and in collaboration with other Community Treatment program members at CASON.
- Attend Community Treatment team meetings and regular supervision with Director of Community Programs ongoing as scheduled.
- Participates in agency work delegated to committees related to staff development, program planning, social activities, community information, etc.
- Participate in co-facilitation of group counselling programs at CASON.
- Ensure client and family rights are respected and addressed in accordance with legislation and the agencies policies and procedures.
- Ensure safety and well-being practices are implemented; this includes being knowledgeable of Universal Care precaution practices, emergency systems and procedures in dealing with crisis situations, communicable diseases, and duty to report.
- Liaise with community partners and other agencies in a manner that promotes the agency’s reputation and facilitates quality care for shared clients
- Shares information and constructive observations with colleagues that promote clinical and administrative activities of the agency, including peer review and consultation,
- Commitment to research investigations, pilot projects, etc. that may be undertaken by the agency.
- Participates in public education, placement student mentoring, professional development activities, program development, planning groups, etc., as appropriate or assigned.
- Helps ensures the organization and program objectives are met.
- Demonstrates interest in the broad field of health care and the specific fields of substance abuse, problem gambling, concurrent disorders, and supportive housing.
- Works harmoniously with colleagues, including not behaving in ways that are likely to be offensive in any manner to others and confronting such behaviours by others.
- Conducts self in a responsible, professional manner.
- Perform other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Application Process: Please include a cover letter and resume

Community Addiction Services of Niagara is an equal opportunity employer who welcomes and encourages applications from Niagara and surrounding communities. All applications from qualified individuals of all ages, gender identities, cultural, racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds, sexual orientations and abilities are welcomed and encouraged. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, barrier-free and accessible environment. CASON aims to dedicate resources to develop, honour and support all staff within their programs, especially those who experience multiple and intersectional forms of oppression.

If you have been contacted for an interview and require accommodation to ensure equal participation, please advise us what you may require in respect to materials or processes to ensure we can meet your needs.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $28.50-$35.02 per hour

Benefits:

- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off

Application question(s):

- Do you have post-secondary education in social work or a similar field?
- Do you have experience working with individuals struggling with addiction concerns?
- Are you registered or in the process of registering with a regulatory college? (i.e. OCSWSSW, CRPO)

Work Location: In person

📌 Community Treatment Counsellor (St. Catharines)
🏢 Community Addiction Services of Niagara
📍 St. Catharines