Mobile Outreach Addiction Worker

“Despite great challenges we believe unhealthy cycles can be broken, new opportunities created and, through healing, health restored.”

Would you like to be a part of an organization that works with some of Edmonton’s most vulnerable populations and counts on the professionalism, expertise, insight, and passion of its staff to develop programs and services for the clients they work with? Join us at Boyle Street Community Services.

“We stand with our clients, side by side, patiently and for as long as they want – a constant and consistent caring force”

Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) is a values-driven organization that believes our clients are the experts in their own life. Your job will be to foster innovation with your team alongside our clients.  If your values are aligned with our values and beliefs listed at: http://boylestreet.org/who-we-are/mission-and-history/, please consider joining our team.

This position comes with a comprehensive dental, health and drug benefits package, three weeks of annual vacation, and numerous professional development and training opportunities.

Job Purpose:

The Addiction Outreach worker will engage high-risk, street involved populations and increase access to information about and participation in, substance abuse treatment programs and services. Further, will provide short term, intensive support (up to 6 months) which includes referring clients to needed supports, advocacy, skill development programs, post treatment care and education as identified.

The Addictions Outreach Worker will engage with individuals in various locations such as Boyle Street Community Services, George Spady Centre, Boyle McCauley Health Centre and in other hard to reach areas such as in the Edmonton river valley and other parkland areas. This variety in locations served is to enhance the capacity of community agencies that provide services to hard-to reach, street involved individuals and to provide intensive outreach.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct outreach within Boyle Street Community Services including the Drop-In, Mental Health Unit, Street Works and other off-site programs
• Facilitate groups at the George Spady Centre
• Utilize a variety of outreach methods to reach isolated members of the target population
• Update and maintain information on referral sources and provide on-site resources at various agencies
• Promote harm reduction and link the service users to appropriate support
• Provide ongoing supportive counselling and referrals and resources to service users
• Attend client case conferences and substance use related inter-agency meetings in the community.
• Facilitate referrals for clients to detox, treatment, after care and other services
• Work together with other members of MOAT team to maintain clear communication, support and provide client care
• Utilize Efforts to Outcomes data base to record case notes, client files, referrals and observations along with other statistical information required for funding purposes
• Participate in the Mental Health Unit activities, drop-in management
• Adhere to the Boyle Street Community Services, George Spady Centre and Streetworks Code of Ethics which is based on the ACSW Code of Ethics.
• All other duties as directed by the Program Manager.

Qualifications:

Education:

• A Social Work degree is preferred but candidates without a degree, but have related post-secondary education and relevant experience will also be considered.

Skills, Abilities and Attitudes:

• Able to follow the organizations philosophy and core values
• Keen understanding of the needs and challenges facing marginalized populations particularly mental health, wellness and substance use issues.
• Proven ability to work in a strength-based and client-centered manner.

Experience and Other Requirements:

• A minimum of two years’ experience delivering services to people facing multiple barriers, including mental illness and substance abuse
• A strong working knowledge of our client’s needs, referral options, addictions, social services, justice, treatment centers, and inner city programs
• Solid understanding of harm reduction
• Experience working in a cross-cultural environment including the Aboriginal Community
• Knowledge and /or experience or willingness to learn about drug practices and culture, sex trade, H.I.V., and other health issues and inner-city lifestyles
• Familiarity with local community resources (e.g. addictions, social services, justice)
• Suicide Intervention Training and Valid Standard First Aid Certificate
• Criminal record and Child and Youth Information Systems check required
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle

Boyle Street Community Services is an equal opportunity employer. We value the diversity of the communities we serve, and are committed to engaging and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. Boyle Street Community Services welcomes applications from First Nation, Inuit, Métis, New Canadian, differently-abled, and LGBTQ2Scommunities.

Hourly Range: $21.33-$25.09/hour

Closing Date: March 18, 2018