PLEA Community Services is currently seeking a Regular Full-Time Addiction Support Worker for our Daughters & Sisters team located in Surrey, BC. The proposed start date for this position is June 16, 2026. This position requires BCGEU membership.
The Addiction Support Worker provides support to youth aged 13-20 with substance misuse issues and complex personal needs. The employee will plan and lead activities with the participants to help them build life skills, strengthen their support networks, access community resources, and provide longer-term aftercare.
PLEA Community Services is permitted by the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal to exclusively hire women for all positions that work directly with participants in its Daughters & Sisters Program.
Hours of Work: The usual hours of work in this position are Tuesday to Saturday based on a flextime scheduling arrangement, including days, evenings, and weekends, of 35 working hours per week. Shifts must include the program's core hours of 12:00PM to 2:00PM (the daily straight-time maximum is 10 hours). The employee is required to remain at work during meal periods; therefore, the employee will be paid during their 30-minute lunch break.
Education/Experience Requirements:
- A Bachelor of Arts in the social sciences or human services or a related discipline.
- One (1) year of recent experience working in programs with youth who are deemed to be high risk, and/or involved in the justice system, and involved in harmful substance use, and their families/caregivers.
Closing date for Internal Applications: The deadline for internal applications has now passed and we are welcoming applications from external candidates.
Who We Are:
PLEA is an accredited, charitable community services organization that has operated throughout BC for more than 40 years. We deliver community-based services and specialized supported homes to children, youth, adults and families facing significant challenges in their lives. We continually adapt our programs to suit each individual’s diverse strengths, needs and circumstances. As a result, we have a strong reputation for helping those we serve to overcome the challenges they face and lead fulfilling lives.
What You Will Do:
- Work closely with the Services Coordinator and Family Caregivers to support the goals identified in each participant’s service plan. Develop and implement appropriate plans, strategies and activities that will address their complex needs, strengthen their protective factors, and provide a sense of stability in the program.
- Provide close supervision and support in the community that will assist participants to achieve their individual goals, maintain their motivation to make safer choices, and develop new interests and connections.
- Implement interventions that address the complex personal, social, and healthcare needs of the participant and recognizes the contextual dynamics they are experiencing. Facilitate group treatment programming, support the teacher-supervised educational program, and supervise a variety of group outings in the community.
- Provide opportunities to access and reconnect to available resources in the community that will enable and encourage participants to develop the necessary educational, personal, social, and vocational skills; include such community resources as an integral part of the participant’s case management plan.
- Maintain ongoing positive relationships with Family Caregivers and participates as part of the team responsible for improving the quality of life for the participant, and addressing their individual strengths, needs, abilities and preferences consistently.
- Teach life skills and community survival skills, provide emotional support and model acceptable behavior. Engage participants in acceptable recreational and social activities in the community that build on their strengths, encourage new interests, involves them in their culture and strengthens their sense of identity, and success. Support participants toward integration and normative functioning in the community.
- Develop collaborative relationships with participants’ families/caregivers, significant others and informal support systems to maintain and strengthen these connections.
- Respond to placement emergencies; recognize potential crises, analyze these situations accurately and implement strategies to deal with them, and inform the manager when such situations arise.
- Maintain necessary program participant and program reports and statistics. Ensure that all records, reports and documentation pertaining to service delivery are accurate, complete and in compliance with PLEA’s policies and procedures.
- Establish strong connections to the community, including maintaining close working relationships with all formal and informal service providers.
- Protect and uphold confidentiality.
- Perform other related duties as required.
What You Will Bring:
- Strong interpersonal communication, facilitation, and conflict management skills, including a demonstrated ability to prepare accurate and comprehensive written reports.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others and can implement effective behavior management strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to develop supportive relationships with participants and their families/caregivers who may be reluctant to engage.
- Demonstrated ability to develop effective relationships based on mutual respect and trust with a range of different individuals and groups in the community.
- Ability to facilitate a group and work through group processes.
- Demonstrated ability to develop strong collaborative relationships, work effectively as part of a team with other program staff, and with others in the community including professionals, partners, and families/caregivers, informal supports and community members; use good judgment, manage conflicts constructively, work independently and be accountable for results.
- Strong organizational, time and general management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, make sound decisions and be held accountable for results.
- Demonstrated ability to be sensitive and understanding of individuals’ social realities including issues of race, culture, religion, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, poverty and lifestyle.
- Demonstrated knowledge of issues and trends related to the program.
- Knowledge of theory, principles, and best practices with respect to providing addictions services based on the core principles of a harm reduction approach to participants who are at risk, their families, and communities.
- Knowledge of relevant Criminal Justice Legislation and policies, the role of Youth and Adult Court, Child Welfare Legislation and policies including the Child, Family and Community Service Act; Foster Care and Residential Standards and applicable government legislation, regulations and accreditation standards.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and database systems.
PLEA Benefits and Perks:
- Eligibility to enroll in health/welfare benefits on the first day of the month following the completion of the probation period, including access to the annual physical activity fund (for fitness-related items or activities) and the annual education fund (to take part in career-related courses or training events).
- Enrollment in the Municipal Pension Plan, as per the plan's criteria.
- Access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP): counselling support services and wellness resources for employees and their immediate family members.
- Discounted gym membership at Club 16 Trevor Linden and She's Fit.
- Perkopolis membership: an exclusive discount program for a variety of products and services (clothes, furniture, dining, auto, events, etc.)
- Agency-Sponsored Social Events (i.e., summer barbecue, annual holiday party, and team days).
Minimum Requirements:
- Satisfactory Criminal Record Clearance.
- Must possess a valid Basic First Aid certificate (formerly OFA Level 1) or be willing to obtain one prior to hire.
- Must have access to a personal vehicle for work-related travel. This position requires travel in the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley.
- Must possess and maintain a valid Class 5 B.C. Driver's License and suitable driver's abstract/claims history.
- Documentation that the applicant is legally authorized to work on an ongoing basis in Canada.
Note: PLEA conducts primary source verification of applicant's credentials including education, training, work history, and licensure.
