Intake Addiction Worker (DT)

At House of Friendship we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of Compassion Inclusion Justice Dignity and Hope. And we have fun!

Sounds pretty great doesnt it It is!

Addiction Services is recruiting a full-time Intake Worker to support the Day Treatment program. Day Treatment program provides group treatment for adults wanting to make changes to their substance use. Services are offered virtually and in-person serving Waterloo and Wellington regions. The Intake Worker responds to program inquiries and referrals conducts Intake and assesses eligibility for the program. The Intake Worker may also facilitate psychoeducational groups and will work independently and collaboratively with Day Treatment team.

** This is a temporary contract position from March 30 2026 to September 3 2027. This full-time position is scheduled to work 37.5 hours per week. Schedule generally Monday to Friday daytime hours with two (2) evening shift per week; or as required by the program. This position offers a flexible schedule with in-office work and remote work to meet the needs of the program.

Valid G class drivers license and access to a reliable vehicle is preferred; required travel throughout Waterloo Region. Successful completion of a Police Records Check (Vulnerable Sector) required pre-employment. **

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide information to participants and/or community members about available services

• Provide information to referring organizations about available services for some programs

• Facilitate any necessary referrals for Addiction Services programs and/or other necessary services

• Support service information seminars and groups as needed for some programs

• Review access and update program referrals from central access portals

• Create and update records on various internal and partner platforms as required by the program

• Establish strong rapport and maintain appropriate professional relationships

• Making the initial contact and screening with people requesting service as well as scheduling appointments for some programs

• Assess complex situations and make appropriate decisions independently and as part of a team including crisis intervention risk assessment and safety planning as required by the program

• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners for some programs

• Complete documentation and data entry in accordance with agency and legislative requirements

• Maintain confidentiality in compliance with Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)

• Participation and involvement in other programs Addiction Services and broader agency activities

• Work both individually and as a member of a team to deliver services

• Participate in supervision and team meetings including case consultation and shift change for some programs

Job Specific Knowledge/Skills:

• Sensitivity to and knowledge of issues relating to and impacting on all genders and all marginalized populations

• Strong understanding of interpersonal skills and the ability to engage in meaningful conversations to develop rapport with individuals who use substances using a strength-based approach

• Knowledge of and training in substance use including associated health risks

• Commitment to stage matched strengths based person-centred quality psychotherapy services

• Knowledge of community resources and provincial and/or internal addiction treatment services

• Experience working within a non-profit and/or social services environment

• Strong communication and listening skills

• Demonstrated capacity for accurate and efficient documentation and computer data entry

• Demonstrated ability to calmly problem-solve in a fast-paced sometimes stressful environment

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team

• Ability to accept and apply feedback and take initiative

• Commitment to ongoing professional development and training

Education/Experience:

• Minimum College Diploma in Related Field of Study required (i.e. social services social work addictions mental health community development etc.)

• Minimum 1 year experience in an addictions or social services setting

• Knowledge and understanding of the complexities of substances problematic substance use homelessness trauma mental health harm reduction and recovery oriented interventions required

Critical Skills:

• Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected

• Exemplary emotional intelligence resilience communication conflict management and problem solving skills required

• Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff participants and community members

• Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds income levels and sensitivity to their needs

• Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation program design evaluations of processes and service delivery

• Must be dependable professional flexible a team player and have a positive attitude

• Respectful supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities addictions mental illness and other life challenges

• Excellent project timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics planning and detailed record keeping

Compensation:

At House of Friendship we know that our team members are the key to the success of our organization and our ability to provide essential services to the support of our mission and in alignment with our values House of Friendship is committed to ensuring fair market competitive and rewarding compensation practices for all of our team members. We aspire to support our team members to create a great work environment where our team is able to thrive succeed and have a positive work experience.

House of Friendship compensation practices including our pay grid have been developed using documented leading pay practices in the not-for-profit sector including Pathways to Decent Work(Ontario Nonprofit Network) and Ontario Living Wage Network. We value the experience that new team members bring to the organization and have a process in place to review previous related experience for placement on our pay grid.

We value the work that you do with fair pay and benefits:

• Time off includesvacation pay and2personal daysper year

• Employee & FamilyAssistance Program

Rate of Pay:

At House of Friendship all compensation ranges are categorized under a series of grades and we base our payment structure on internal determining rate of pay a candidates past related experience will be taken into consideration.

Grade: 4

Min: $22.40

Mid: $25.65

Max: $28.90

Working Conditions:

• Generally daytime hours with two evening shifts per week and flexibility to adjust schedule to meet program needs

• Required to work intensively with program participants in emotionally charged situations

• Encountering participants at program sites who may be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs and/or experiencing symptoms of mental illness can be expected

• Travel within Waterloo Region required for some programs

This role is being posted to fill a current vacancy.

House of Friendship is open and inviting to qualified candidates with lived experience.

House of Friendship supports justice equity diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We strive to be a workplace free of harassment and discrimination and we are committed to removing barriers and being an inclusive work environment. House of Friendship is a place where each person can bring their true selves and feel that they belong. We aspire to be an organization that is anti-racist and anti-oppressive so that our team and therefore our community can truly belong and thrive.

We invite applications from all qualified candidates and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to accessing employment including but not limited to Indigenous Peoples members of racialized groups persons with disabilities women and members of the 2SLGBTQIA community.

If you require accommodations to be able to participate fully at any stage in the recruitment process including applying for this position please let us know so that we can discuss accommodation options. Accommodations will be provided upon request.

If you are as passionate as we are about serving the community lets talk.

To apply please submit your resume and cover letter here:

end of day March 29 2026.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not being used in the screening of applications.