Recovery Coach, Men's Recovery (Permanent, Full-Time)

Are you ready to turn lived experience into hope and help men take their next step toward lasting recovery?

As a Recovery Coach, you will draw upon the strengths of a peer-type relationship to help guide clients/participants with substance use problems and related mental health issues through the recovery process. You will help program participants create, clarify, implement, and maintain a recovery plan to overcome their addiction and to sustain a recovery lifestyle. Your role has elements of a mentor and a role model – someone who assists the resident to manage challenging experiences and emotions, develop relapse prevention strategies, and provide support through slips to maintain their commitment to recovery.

You will work in collaboration with the participant’s counsellor and/or other members of the Men’s Recovery team. Ideally, you have personal lived experience with recovery from substance use, and you will draw upon this to connect more deeply with those who are still struggling. As a Recovery Coach, you will also have a strong interest in and capability to use physical health and outdoor recreation as a medium for fostering recovery in men’s lives As a recovery coach, you will actively link our participants with other supports outside of UGM.

This is a permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week) position.  The starting range for this position is $28.96 to $31.64 per hour.

Who We Are

Demonstrating the love of Christ, UGM feeds hope and changes lives through a faith-based continuum of care. We are a proud member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities and have earned the Best Christian Workplace award again in 2021. We provide competitive salaries, generous vacation and sick leave, an RRSP matching program, as well as the potential for educational assistance and flexible work arrangements. In addition, our extensive benefits plan is fully employer-paid and includes extended dental and medical, as well as $4,500 per year in pooled paramedical expenses. A focus on employee resilience, support for professional development, engagement in meaningful work, and a fun and caring environment are all part of being a member of the UGM team.  If you are someone who desires to learn and grow, has a passion to serve and make a difference, and connects with others with both humility and humour, then you will be a great fit at UGM.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• 20% - Provide coaching and support to clients as challenges arise in the day-to-day activity of living in a residential recovery environment to foster problem solving and skill building. 
• 20% - Support recovery by helping residents build connections to community resources.  Accompany when appropriate.
• 15% - Use a Motivational Interviewing/Coaching approach to empower residents to engage effectively in their recovery journey.  Provide feedback and share personal experience, if helpful.
• 15% - Work collaboratively with the client to clarify his recovery goals and participate in case conference discussions with the Men’s Recovery team.
• 15% - Communicate and document situations and observations in a timely manner to the resident’s assigned counsellor, and the broader Men’s Recovery team, so as to facilitate continuity of high-quality care.
• 15% - Foster a recovery culture by providing socially engaging on-site activities.  Foster engagement by actively encouraging and occasionally joining in with activities such as the Expeditions hikes, the running club, or other similar social activities.
• The job duties associated with the Recovery Coach role will vary somewhat depending on the shift. Day-time shift duties are more likely to include supporting the Men’s Recovery team to address practical matters in the day-to-day operation such as:
• Conducting wellness checks, supporting intakes, including urine screening, orienting new residents to the floor, and supporting discharges
• Delivery of workshops where appropriate.

General

• Adhere to all UGM published policies, practices, and procedures, including Occupational Health and Safety.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KSA’s

• Agreement with UGM’S Mission Statement (see www.ugm.ca) and Statement of Faith.
• A vibrant and growing relationship with Jesus Christ our Creator, as Savior and Lord. 
• Personal lived experience of overcoming addiction.
• 2-3 years of related work experience required.
• Related post-secondary education preferred.
• Knowledge of addiction and recovery, including normative stages of recovery, relapse process and triggers.
• Recovery Coaching and/or Motivational Interviewing expertise.
• 12-step and other non-step recovery knowledge, including local meetings.
• Familiarity with local community supportive resources, including housing, employment, recovery and health services.
• Familiarity with different pathways to recovery; able to adjust to client needs.
• Valid class 5 driver’s licence required
• Good English skills (verbal, reading and writing).
• Basic computer skills (Excel, Word and Outlook).
• Ability to work independently.
• Able to effectively identify and solve problems and follow through on initiatives.
• Complete UGM Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Course.
• Health and Safety Qualifications for Program/Shelter Staff

• Solid understanding of health and safety protocols specific to program/shelter environments, including infection control, personal hygiene standards, and safe handling of potential hazards.
• Previous experience working in environments with vulnerable or high-needs populations, with an emphasis on creating a safe and supportive atmosphere for residents.
• Completed, or willing to complete, relevant health and safety training, including nonviolent crisis intervention: handling mental health crises and de-escalation, first aid, naloxone, suicide prevention or specialized safety courses.

Working Conditions

• Work Location

Work is generally performed indoors within an office environment, with standard office equipment available. 

• Physical Requirements

Work will require standing, walking or reaching for up to 70% of the time. Employee is required to look at a computer screen and use a keyboard for up to 30% of the time.

• Work Conditions

Working environment is generally favorable. Lighting and temperature are adequate. Work is performed amid normal conditions of dust, odors, fumes, and noises.

• Hours of Work

Work is weekdays, weekends and evenings.

• Hazards

Hazards are considered minor and controllable.

• Other

Due to the nature of the job, and our commitment to a safe environment, the candidate is subject to a criminal record check.