Temp FT Intake Counsellor (Men's Program)

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

This is a Temporary Full-Time role until January 14, 2027, with possibility of extension.

Position Purpose summary

The Intake Counsellor – Men’s Treatment is responsible for the intake, initial counselling, and casework processes for clients in Vancouver Harbour Light’s Men’s Treatment program. They interview and screen potential clients, determine client suitability, and support clients through the intake process. They support casework, relapse prevention, and discharge planning for all clients, including referrals to other services. They provide counselling support and facilitate recovery activities for all clients. They contribute to regular and special program activities, development, and evaluation, as a collaborative member of the Treatment team.

Accountabilities

The incumbent may perform all, some, or similar duties to the listed below:

Clientele Relations

• Takes responsibility for routine intake processes and decisions, following standard procedures.
• Coordinates intake with the counselling team; attends client care meetings to provide input into client assignment and progress updates.
• Records intake processes and decisions as per procedure.
• Responsible for client room assignment.
• Liaises with external agencies as needed (e.g. welfare, police, parole, urgent situations)
• Liaises with other resource partners to promote and invite referrals such as Vancouver Detox, other treatment centres etc…
• Conducts comprehensive program orientation for all clients/residents; room assignments, linen distribution, outline client handbook and assessment kit, and taking of client photo
• Fosters positive relations with community social services agencies/resources
• Distribute medications to clients
• Liaise with pharmacy and order refills for clients
• Maintain client medication records.
• Complete discharge reports and coordinate client room maintenance
• Participate in the yearly client focused events: Such as , but not limited to, Client Christmas Party (usually early December) and summer baseball tournament(s).

Documentation & Reporting

• Documentation is an essential component of Harbour Light’s Treatment Program.
• Maintains all documentation to industry best practices and TSA standards
• Must complete initial needs assessment documentation and maintain each client’s personal file as per Harbour Light Policy.
• Maintain client interaction and session notes in provided, secure database; notes include but are not limited to behavioural concerns, weekend/late passes, medication changes
• Maintain clients program file as per Harbour Light policy.
• Document and maintains statistical data including bedlist and cousnellors lists; distribute as per program procedure.
• Assists with creating and maintaining other internal and external reporting requirements as required.

Administrative & Inter-departmental Co-operation

• Maintains respectful & ethical relationships with clients and colleagues, in accordance with TSA policies and professional standards
• Works cooperatively with the stabilization counsellor to support the needs of the clients and overall program goals.
• Conduct client discussion groups as needed, mainly in the absence of the stabilization worker.
• Participate in clinical supervision meetings, as an individual and member of the team
• Attends in-service and staff development programs as approved by Executive Director/Director, Operations & Residential Services.
• Attendance is compulsory at all General Staff Meetings, Case Review, and devotional/reflections services during normal working hours etc. as scheduled.
• Maintains a current knowledge of and complies with all facility policies and procedures. This would include, but is not exclusive to, The Salvation Army Standards & Review procedures.
• Works closely with and co-operates in a courteous, respectful manner with other staff, volunteers, visitors & clients.
• Ensure that information, even of a confidential nature, is passed on to the Treatment Program Manager, Director of Residential Programs, or Executive Director if it might endanger or seriously affect another person or the safety of the building.
• Ensure that all legitimate requests to assist by colleagues is considered and acted upon.
• Ensure that requests to Counsellors by individuals or outside agencies for information or presentation on Harbour Light are communicated to the Treatment Program Manager, Director of Residential Programs, or Executive Director.

This role may perform other duties and other accountabilities as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Candidates must be comfortable with working in Vancouver’s downtown eastside and in a multi-program facility. Our programs include community meals, 24-hour and overnight shelters, residential addiction treatment, a correctional residential facility for men on parole, low-income housing, and other services.
• The Intake Caseworker will occasionally be requested, in advance, to work a modified schedule with evening and/or weekend hours to accommodate program/client special events.
• This position requires the ability to sit for long periods of time, perform significant amounts of computer use (including repetitive data entry), participate in-person and virtual meetings, and carry materials weighing up to 20 lbs (e.g., a box of printer paper).
• This position typically works in an office environment and participates in meetings in closed meeting rooms.
• The performance of the job requires moderate attention when interviewing clients, working with numbers, and occasional documentation.
• This position works in noisy and crowded environment with upset, abusive or angry people from time to time.
• The work schedule may affect lifestyle
• This position may have little to no travel. This position may occasionally support VHL at community fairs/events within the Lower Mainland
• This position may require overdose response and include the administering of Naloxone.

The above responsibilities must be performed in keeping with The Salvation Army’s Mission, Vision and Values, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.

Education and Experience Qualifications

• Willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.
• Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to provide an original copy of a Background Check that is satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, is required. Criminal Record Review Program clearance is required for all positions at Vancouver Harbour Light. Ability to obtain federal Enhanced Security Clearance may be required for this position.

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• The Counsellor will hold a minimum of two (2) years of community college in a counselling or social work field.*
• The ideal candidate will be a member in good standing with a Canadian counselling certification body, holding a designation such as ICADC, RCC, RPC, RSW, MSW, or equivalent.*
• Naloxone training, First Aid with CPR, Mental Health First Aid, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training (or willingness to be trained)
• Documentation confirming compliance with the Province’s immunization and tuberculosis control program, per Residential Care Regulations

• As per the collective agreement, the Counsellor wage rate is determined by level of education/certification.

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• At least one (1) year frontline casework or counselling experience in recovery-focused substance use or related setting, including facilitation and group therapy
• Knowledge of evidence-based, trauma-informed practices in addictions treatment, the principles of recovery, and motivational interviewing
• Demonstrated ability to provide care that acknowledges diverse social, psychological, and cultural needs
• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally safe care; completion of Indigenous Cultural Safety Training is an asset
• Experience in a community care licensed facility is an asset
• Lived experience is an asset .
• Ability and willingness to undergo applicable screening and background checks successfully that are satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion (i.e., The Salvation Army Abuse Registry) and provide an original copy of a Background Check screening.

Skills and Capabilities

• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
• Must demonstrate a positive attitude towards the homeless and individuals with substance abuse and concurrent problems, including mental health concerns.
• Knowledge of 12-step recovery principles is required; lived experience with 12-step recovery program is a significant asset to this position

• Demonstrated ability to provide a healthy, safe, non-judgmental space for clients accessing social services and/or residential care
• Demonstrated comfort and skill working with diverse populations
• Strong interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution skills
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in writing and verbally in English
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility
• Strategic thinking and planning, creative and collaborative problem solving
• Clear, consistent, and values-oriented decision-making
• Strong skills in Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and client database systems
• Experience with CAMS (Case Administration Management System) or other client database is an asset

Hours

This is a Temporary Full-time role until January 14, 2027, with possibility of extension. Hours of work will be 8am-4pm Mon-Fri. The normal workday is comprised of 7.5 paid hours and 0.5 hours unpaid lunch break per day. The Counsellor will occasionally be requested, in advance, to work a modified schedule with evening and/or weekend hours to accommodate program/client special events.

Wage Rate

Rate of pay is in accordance with the collective agreement and educational qualifications.

Counsellor 1, Probationary Rate: $30.35 p/hr

Counsellor 1 has some Basic Counselling training but does not have their ICADC Certificate.

Counsellor 2, Probationary Rate: $35.32 p/hr

Counsellor 2 has ICADC Certification.

Counsellor 3, Probationary Rate: $37.96 p/hr

Counsellor 3 has a Master's degree.

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $30.35 to $34.53 with a maximum of $38.71.

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [email protected] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.