CASE MANAGER, ADDICTIONS SPECIALIST
Housing First for Encampment & Street Homelessness (H-FRESH)
One (1) Bargaining Unit, Permanent Full-Time Position
Tuesday - Saturday, 11:00am-7:00pm
Existing Vacancy
Compensation: $29.77/hour-$34.54/hour
About Cota
Cota is an accredited not-for-profit organization that has been providing community-based support to people living with mental health and cognitive challenges for over 50 years. At present, our wide array of services delivers much needed support to over 4,000 people/year who live with mental health challenges, psychogeriatric mental health conditions, acquired brain injuries, developmental disabilities, dual diagnoses and/or the experience of homelessness. These services include, but are not limited to, case management, supportive housing and adult day program services. A full listing of our services can be viewed on our website at https://cotainspires.ca/
Cota is presently seeking a dynamic and innovative individual to join our amazing team in the capacity of the role outlined within this posting. Followed by our mission to support individuals with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their communities, we strive toward a vision of a supportive, inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. If you feel you have the skills and qualifications to perform the duties of this role while consistently exemplifying Cota’s values Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation, we would love to hear from you.
Role Overview
The Case Manager, Addictions Specialist is responsible for providing Recovery Oriented services to COTA Health clients in a manner consistent with COTA Health’s Mission, Vision and Values.
About The Team
The Case Manager, Addictions Specilaist is linked to Cota’s Assertive Housing First Team (AHFT), with a targeted focus on individuals residing in encampments in East Toronto. The Housing First for Encampment & Street Homelessness (H-FRESH) branch of AHFT, provides targeted, assertive outreach supports specifically to 40 individuals currently residing in encampments in East Toronto. H-FRESH is a City of Toronto funded research project, in collaboration with CAMH and LOFT.
The Assertive Housing First Team (AHFT) utilizes an interdisciplinary team model and a Housing First approach to support individuals who are homeless and living with mental health challenges. AHFT is an interdisciplinary team comprised of Case Managers who have expertise in Mental Health, Addictions and Nursing, Personal Support Service Worker, Peer Support Specialist and Access to team psychiatric hours.
The Case Manager, Addictions Specialist will contribute to the development of comprehensive person-centered psychiatric and physical health assessments and treatment plans, and provide community-based case management supports to an assigned group of service users, including education, crisis intervention, and linking to community resources. This position also will provide social, educational, and addiction group activities.
Primary Responsibilities
The Case Manager’s primary duties may involve, but not necessarily be limited to:
- Reviewing the referral information of applicants to the program
- Coordinating and participating in screening interviews with applicants and their respective referral sources
- Determining eligibility for the program and confirming acceptance of new clients into the program
- Developing a collaborative, supportive and therapeutic relationship with each designated client for whom he/she is assigned primary responsibility
- Completing a comprehensive assessment of the nature of each client’s unique goals and needs through collaborative engagement with each client and their respective support networks
- Providing guidance and assistance to each client in relation to the development of both a personalized Client Safety Plan and a Recovery/Goal Plan
- Providing direct practical support, coaching and counsel to clients in their pursuit of identified goals and needs
- These supports may include, but not necessarily be limited to:
- Assistance in acquiring shelter, food, income, ID and clothing
- Support in the development and maintenance of ADLs
- Assistance in developing a healthy support network
- Assistance in accessing primary health
- Assistance in accessing psychiatric care
- Assistance in developing personal skills in the areas of budgeting, medication management
- Developing harm reduction strategies in relation to substance use
- Assistance in the pursuit of educational/vocational interests
- Assistance in developing personal self-management strategies
- Assistance in accessing/securing safe/affordable housing
- Researching and/or identifying options for alternate/supplementary community services and supports as required/requested
- Assisting each client in accessing and coordinating other supports, services and appointments
- Liaising with each client's support network members as appropriate and where client consent has been obtained
- Assisting clients with emergency and/or crisis needs as required/appropriate
- Assisting in coordinating and facilitating group activities/events which foster client engagement/participation, the development of social networks, and skill acquisition
- Coordinating the purchasing of necessary program/activity supplies, and accounts for purchases in accordance with program guidelines
- Participating in team meetings, providing input and ideas for improving services, efficiencies and ongoing program planning
Documentation And Data Entry
- Documents all service client contacts/interactions in the appropriate client chart according to COTA Health's documentation guidelines
- Enters data relating to client interactions into COTA Health's database system according to data collection guidelines
- Assists with other data collection activities within the program, as determined by the Supervisor and/or Team
Other Responsibilities
- Maintains current certification and/or up-to-date training in identified “Required Training” areas
- Adheres to all COTA Health’s policies and procedures and follows established applicable program guidelines, procedures and practices
- Adheres to all applicable legislation, particularly the Ontario Human Rights Code
- Comply with all Health and Safety policies and procedures to ensure every reasonable precaution is taken for the protection of workers and clients and that health and safety concerns or incidents are responded to promptly
- Works cooperatively, respectfully and constructively with clients, Team members, management, other service providers, and external stakeholders
- Ensure that the confidentiality of clients, employees and COTA information is always maintained
- Undertakes other related and/or delegated duties, as assigned
Qualifications
Education & Experience:
Either
- A combination of a post-secondary degree/diploma in a related field and 2-3 years direct experience, assessed as being relevant to the specific target population being served
Or,
- A combination of BSW, MSW or other regulated health care professional designation and a minimum of 1 year direct experience, assessed a being relevant to the specific target population being served
Essential Qualifications
- Addictions Certificate or MH & Addictions Diploma/Degree
- Experience working with a population that includes individuals managing addiction and implementing harm reduction strategies
Assets
- Lived experience managing addiction considered an asset
- Community experience would be considered an asset
Knowledge And Skills
- Excellent clinical knowledge relevant to the target population being served and/or unique role, as demonstrated through specialized training, or previous work experience
- Excellent clinical assessment/support skills relating to the specific target population
- Advanced understanding of the values and principles associated with Recovery Oriented/Client Centred service delivery
- Sound knowledge of community resources relevant to the target population being served and/or demonstrated ability to search for applicable resources/information
- Ability to design and implement group activities and facilitate group meetings
- Advanced crisis management and dispute resolution skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
- High level of computer literacy in relation to systems/applications used in the role (Word, E-mail, Internet)
- Good judgment and ability to work independently as well as cooperatively with others
- Consistent/ reliable and flexible
- Ability to recognize safety issues and follow safe work practices
- Demonstrated client-centred and customer focused approach
- Ability to solve problems and make recommendations to resolve issues
- Effective team player
- Sensitive to challenges experienced by marginalized population groups such as poverty, access issues, mental health and addictions
Other
- Conduct visits in encampments, clients’ homes, hostels, hospitals and other community settings working in sometimes difficult conditions, including hoarding and pest infestations
- Comfortable working with a broad range of client groups
- Must have access to a vehicle (This position requires frequent travel to provide in person supports to multiple clients on a daily basis. For clarity, public and non-motorized modes of transportation are not considered vehicles and are not approved modes of transportation for this position)
Application Details
Please complete the application below before
November 12, 2026 at 4:00pm.
We are committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We recognize lived experience as a valuable form of knowledge and encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of experiences, identities, and perspectives - including those with lived experience of housing insecurity, mental health or substance use recovery, or engagement with community supports. Accommodations are available throughout the hiring process upon request.
Benefits
Upon successful completion of a three-month period of employment, permanent full-time and permanent part-time staff working more than 20 hours per week will be eligible for employer-paid group insurance benefits. These employer-paid benefits will include:
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Dental care
- Travel assistance
- Vision care
Permanent full-time and permanent part-time staff working more than 20 hours per week are also required to enroll in employee-paid long-term disability coverage.
Additional Information
Interview Process: Cota may choose to conduct parts/all of the hiring process virtually. Please note that as part of maintaining an agile workforce, all Cota staff may be required to be reasonably reassigned to support the operational needs of our essential services.
Screening Process: Please note that Cota uses AI to screen potential applicants for all roles.
We would like to thank all those that apply; however, due to high volumes of interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Thank you, Cota's HR Department.
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Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, accountability, collaboration, and innovation are key values of Cota. We are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, upholding dignity, and acknowledging each person's individual contributions and potential as an equal-opportunity employer. We uphold the Ontario Human Right Code and strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ people, and others who provide various viewpoints. Cota ensures an accessible hiring process in line with the AODA principles, providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities. For any accommodation requests, please contact hr_recruitment@cotainspires.ca
