Addiction Counsellor

Role Responsibilities

The Addictions Counsellor is part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team that includes medical professionals, clinicians and front-line (and supervisors) child and youth care professionals. In addition to these team members being an important avenue to problem solve, the program supervisor is available for consultation on complex issues/ concerns raised.

Key responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Deliver Comprehensive Youth Addiction Services: Provide youth-centered, recovery-based, and culturally appropriate care, including assessment, treatment planning, case management, crisis intervention, education, referrals, and direct addiction-related consultations.
• Develop Individualized Treatment Plans: Collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team to create and implement tailored treatment plans that reflect each youth's needs, strengths, and cultural background, incorporating evidence-based practices and trauma-informed approaches.
• Foster Collaborative Team-Based Care: Actively engage with medical professionals, clinicians, child and youth care workers, families, and community partners to address diverse concerns and ensure coordinated, effective service delivery. Seek consultation from program supervisors for complex issues.
• Promote Long-Term Recovery and Well-Being: Support youth in their recovery journey by promoting informed decision-making, enhancing quality of life, and integrating Indigenous cultural practices and community resources into treatment and education strategies.
  
  

Please click on this LINK to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Below is a list of the APS Competencies to assist you:

• Drive for Results: Demonstrates strong commitment to achieving goals and high-quality outcomes. Leverages past experience for strategic planning, sets clear objectives, and holds self and others accountable. Collaborates to align efforts and overcome challenges, maintaining high performance standards.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Fosters cross-functional collaboration by encouraging open communication and removing barriers. Proactively addresses conflict, recognizes team contributions, and promotes mutual respect and shared ownership.
• Creative Problem Solving: Takes a strategic, proactive approach to challenges by engaging diverse perspectives and resources. Identifies root issues, explores innovative solutions, and collaborates with stakeholders to co-create and implement sustainable improvements.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards: Directly related two-year diploma or a degree related to the position assignment (Addictions or Social Work) and four years of related experience.
 
Children and Family Services is committed to delivering culturally appropriate services to Indigenous populations and we encourage applications from Indigenous candidates.

Requirements:

• Registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) is required for all social work graduates.
• You must have a Valid Class 5 Driver’s License
  
  

Assets:

• Significant knowledge supplemented by experience is required of theoretical models, specialized techniques, and practical and theoretical procedures related to assessment, intervention, dispute resolution, family violence and court processes/procedures is an asset
• Current Certification in First Aid with CPR and Suicide Intervention
• Experience working with Indigenous Populations
• Experience working with youth aged 12-17

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.  Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards

Notes

A cover letter is not required with your application, as such it is important that your resume is detailed and accurate, listing your experience, as well as the months, years, your title, and duties you performed.

There is one Temporary position available until March 2026.

Hours of Work: This position works 38.75 hours per week.

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Pre-Employment Requirements:

As part of the application process, final candidates will be required to complete and satisfactorily qualify on:

• Virtual multi-panel interview
• Academic credential check
• Professional and/or academic reference checks
• Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector
• Intervention Record Check
• Alberta College of Social Workers Registration (if applicable)
• Current 5 Year Commercial Driver Abstract
  
  

Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Candidate screening and interviews will be taking place periodically throughout the job posting. Interviews will be taking place virtually/in-person, and accommodation may be made if requested.

Application Requirements: 

• In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience.
• Complete all pre-screening questions.
• Candidates will require a clear Intervention Record Check to be considered for the role (if not currently in the Child Intervention Delivery Services Branch).
• Please be advised that your current supervisor and manager will be contacted as references.
  
  

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Leadership and mentorship programs