Job Posting Position

Counsellor, HART Hub 

TEAM: HARTHub/TOST (Toronto Opiate Support Team) 

STATUS: Full Time Contract: September 1 until March 31, 2028; with potential to extend, based on funding. 

REPORTS TO: Clinical Director 

HOURS/WEEK: 35 Hours 

POSTING DATE: July 22, 2025 

SALARY RANGE: $62,541.66 – $74,632.38 plus health benefits 

CLOSING DATE: August 8, 2025   

START DATE: September 1, 2025 

 

ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY 

Breakaway Community Services is a multifunction substance use service that provides a range of community-based and outreach programs. We are strongly committed to providing innovative community services from a harm-reduction, trauma-informed perspective. We develop programs that are accessible, barrier free, and open to all community members. In addition to creating safe spaces for people who use drugs Breakaway Community Services is committed to providing safe and inclusive spaces for current and future service users identifying from a range of racial, gender and/or sexual identities. 

 

Breakaway Community Services is strongly committed to the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. Priority will be given to people from BIPOC and other frequently under-represented and marginalized communities.  

POSITION SUMMARY:  

The Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub demonstration project is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative initiative between the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, and 11 partnered organizations.  Through a “hub and spoke” model we will provide culturally safe and trauma informed services to individuals with complex health and social care needs. Services will include primary care and substance use care (continuum of treatment, recovery and harm reduction); mental health care and support services; supportive housing including shelter and transition beds; and social services including peer support, case management, and employment supports. 

The Counsellor plays an integral role in the delivery of our program’s comprehensive substance use treatment services. Your caseload will consist of clients addressing various stages of their substance use. The majority of our participants are either actively using opioids or have had a history of opioid use so being versed in the system needs of this specific population is required.  

The counsellor identifies and assesses the psycho-social needs of clients; develops and implements treatment plans to facilitate access to services; provides integrated counselling/psychotherapy services from intake to termination; provides case management services when appropriate and conducts advocacy as needed.  All team members are encouraged to engage in opportunities to participate in service design, community education and capacity building related to substance use. 

  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Contribute to a multidisciplinary team in the delivery of comprehensive opiate addiction services from a harm reduction framework 

 

  • Deliver responsive, accessible, and flexible service from a harm reduction approach 

 

  • Complete intakes and comprehensive assessments and treatment planning 

 

  • Work with a caseload of clients to provide counselling/therapy and case management services, including facilitating referrals, systems advocacy and navigation 

 

  • Facilitate group programming

 

  • Provide harm reduction and overdose education and responses 

 

  • Collaborate with internal and external health and social service providers to coordinate services for clients.  

 

  • Represent the agency and program at HARTHub meetings and in the community  

 

  • Engage with stakeholders and participates in working groups and committees as appropriate and/or as directed 

 

  • Provide consultation and training related to opioid use and treatment to community-based agencies and health care providers 

 

  • Other duties as required
     

QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Lived or living experience of substance use, trauma, poverty, or homelessness  

 

  • Three to five years’ experience working with people from a trauma informed and harm reduction approach to those who use substances and have experienced mental health issues 

 

  • Master of Social Work degree or equivalent education or equivalent life and work experience 

 

  • Registration with regulatory college (ie: OCSWSSW, CRPO) is an asset 

 

  • Experience working within a multidisciplinary team considered an asset 

 

  • Knowledge of Toronto health, social services, mental health and addiction resources 

 

  • Strong understanding of opioid use/dependence, treatment options, and current trends 

 

  • Experience collaborating with and advocating within the following systems is considered as asset: hospital/medical/treatment settings; child welfare; mental health; social assistance; and criminal justice 

 

  • Recently demonstrated knowledge and skills in assessment, engagement, counselling, case management, group facilitation and crisis intervention 

 

  • A strong commitment to the principles of harm reduction and trauma informed care 

 

  • Ability to work with a variety of client presenting situations, personalities and levels of ability 

 

  • Self-directed, organized, and demonstrated supportive team member abilities

 

  • Current First Aid/CPR and CPI certificate preferred, or willing to be trained 

 

  • Bilingual (French or other language) considered an asset 

 

  • Demonstrated skill and competence in establishing supportive, trusting relationships with people who use drugs 

 

  • Experience and commitment to harm reduction

 

 

  • This work offers the opportunity to work with individuals across a wide range of demographics

 

 

  • Experience working with youth and/or service users over the age of 55 would be an asset 

 

Please submit a Resume and Cover Letter in one document to: 

COUNSELLOR, hiring committee 

Breakaway Community Services 

21 Strickland Avenue, Toronto, ON M6K 3E6  

Attention: Anne-Marie DiCenso MSW, RSW 

Or E-mail:  [email protected] 

Breakaway Community Services is strongly committed to the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We encourage people from frequently under-represented and marginalized communities to apply. We thank all applicants. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Breakaway is committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free selection process and work environment. We seek to provide accessibility for all applicants, consistent with our accessibility policies and the AODA. Please let us know if you require an accommodation and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.