SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Supervisor of First Line Services, the National Native Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) Representative is responsible:

• To build rapport with community members, to be informative, and provide access to treatment centres and detox. Have a strong knowledge and a clear understanding of the current substances being used and abused within the community
• To be accountable to community members to deliver quality services focused on addiction and harm reduction practices
• To be accountable to make a sustained effort to reduce the impact of substance use and abuse within the community of TFN

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• A post-secondary degree or diploma in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling with emphasis/specialization in Addictions
• 2+ years of work experience in Mental Health and Addictions
• A valid Class 5 Quebec driver’s license or equivalent
• Vulnerable sector check (VSC)

KNOWLEDGE & SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Knowledge of Timiskaming First Nation (TFN) services, administrative and operational policies and procedures
• Demonstrated thorough knowledge of Indigenous communities, cultures, and perspectives, and a strong understanding of how to function within cultural protocols
• Knowledge of the impact of trauma and inter-generational trauma affecting First Nations
• Knowledge of traditional medicine and a holistic approach to individual and community health and wellness
• Knowledge of health legislation, theories, intervention models and medical terminology
• Ability to work effectively in a variety of settings and in a cross-cultural situation
• Knowledgeable with the different treatment centers practices, cycle duration and specialties
• Knowledge of computers and standard software programs (e.g., Microsoft Office, Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, plan, schedule and prioritize
• Project management and report writing skills
• Interpersonal skills and ability to work in well individually and in a team oriented, multi-disciplinary environment
• Ability to represent TFN with a professional image and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to communicate in the French and Algonquin languages is an asset

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: To administer National Native Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) within the Timiskaming First Nation (TFN):
To reduce the levels of alcohol and other substance abuse in the community by offering counseling services, harm reduction methods and tools
To administer the National Native Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) within the Timiskaming First Nation community
To inform and empower community members with knowledge on addictions and harm reduction, enabling them to make healthy choices
To run and maintain regular AA and NA meetings
To develop and maintain a successful relapse prevention program for pre-& post treatment
Maintain a client caseload, ensure files are kept up to date according to organizational practices, client support can be done in person or virtually depending on context and needs of clients
Weekly visits to the youth center for prevention activities, may also require periodic intervention activities with youth
Go into the schools attended by community youth to present Addiction Awareness & Prevention materials & activities, and intervention when required on case-by-case basis
Develop and deliver workshops to the community throughout the year. Flexibility is required with delivery methods, which may include virtual workshops depending on context and circumstances
Collaborate effectively with treatment centers for successful client outcomes
Develop and maintain a bank of volunteers to assist with client support and recovery
Take a lead role in the clients after-care plan, focused on supporting clients and their families in the client’s recovery journey
Activity outreach in the community by being visible (e.g. walking, biking, attending workshops & events) going to where clients are at (e.g. school, homes, hangout areas)
Partnering with the Drug Strategies Coordinator and being involved with the safe place activities
Prepare monthly activity reports, participate numbers and track statistics for yearly reporting
Management of the NNADAP budget
Partner with internal and external services
Presenting Addiction Awareness & Prevention materials to students in school settings

Gaining and Maintain Trust and Credibility within the Community:
Conduct regular needs assessments regarding substance use and abuse in the community
Organize and facilitate workshops relevant to addictions/mental health that are fun and interactive for community members
Increase awareness and understanding among all community members about alcohol and substance abuse issues with awareness and promotion of healthier lifestyles
Main events and activities to be planned throughout the year are: National Overdose Awareness Day, AA/NA round up, Addiction Week, land-based healing activities, school visits, youth center workshops/activities, AA/NA meetings, Al-Anon, ACOA (adult children of alcoholics)
Strengthen links between the NNADAP program and residential treatment facilities that help with community visibility and access.
Attend NNADAP quarterly meetings in neighboring communities to keep up to date with issues and trends

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• In and out of office work to include counselling and community outreach services
• Overtime may be required
• Some travel required (e.g. brining clients to treatment or detox)