North End Women’s Centre Job Posting
Position: Substance Use Support & Addiction Treatment Navigator
Date posted: July 9, 2026
Closing Date: July 17, 2026
Salary Scale: $27.50-$31.50 per hour
Job Status: Full-time, Term until March 31, 2027 (with the possibility of extension)
Position Description
Substance Use Support & Addiction Treatment Navigator is a member of the North End Women's Centre Community Healing and Wellness Team and works from the Centre's busy, low-barrier drop-in program.
This position responds to the increasing impacts of the toxic drug supply by providing participant-led, culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and harm reduction-oriented supports for Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people experiencing problematic substance use.
The Substance Use Support & Addiction Treatment Navigator recognizes that recovery and wellness are not linear journeys. Participants may be at different stages of readiness regarding substance use, treatment, housing, healthcare, family reunification, and healing. The role is to walk alongside participants wherever they are in that journey—building trusting relationships, reducing harm, supporting informed decision-making, and creating pathways to health and wellness.
Working collaboratively with the broader NEWC team, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, healthcare providers, and community partners, the Substance Use Support & Addiction Treatment Navigator provides addictions counselling, harm reduction education, treatment navigation, crisis intervention, advocacy, accompaniment, and systems navigation while maintaining participant dignity, autonomy, and self-determination.
Education and Experience
· Training and or education in Social Work, Addictions Counselling, Indigenous Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related discipline. Equivalent combinations of education and lived experience will be considered.
· Minimum three years' experience supporting individuals experiencing problematic substance use, trauma, homelessness, mental health challenges, and/or gender-based violence.
· Demonstrated experience providing addictions counselling, harm reduction, crisis intervention, or treatment navigation.
· Knowledge of the continuum of substance use services available throughout Winnipeg and Manitoba.
· Experience supporting participants through detoxification, treatment, Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT), and recovery planning.
· Knowledge of the Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) model and community-based treatment pathways.
· Strong understanding of harm reduction philosophy and overdose prevention strategies.
· Demonstrated understanding of the impacts of colonization, residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, child welfare involvement, systemic racism, and intergenerational trauma.
· Experience working with Indigenous communities using culturally safe, participant-led approaches.
· Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced, unpredictable community-based environment.
Assets
· ASIST, Mental Health First Aid, Naloxone Trainer certification, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or equivalent.
· Knowledge of traditional Indigenous teachings, ceremonies, medicines, and land-based healing.
· Experience working in Winnipeg's North End.
· Lived or living experience of recovery, substance use, poverty, homelessness, or other systemic barriers is recognized as valuable and welcomed.
Core Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
· Commitment to participant self-determination and cultural safety.
· Advanced relationship-building skills.
· Strong addictions counselling and motivational interviewing skills.
· Knowledge of stages of change and recovery-oriented practice.
· Ability to apply trauma-informed, strengths-based, and harm reduction approaches simultaneously.
· Ability to remain calm and effective during crises.
· Excellent communication and documentation skills.
· Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
· Excellent collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork.
· Professional judgement and ethical decision-making.
· Respect for participant confidentiality and privacy.
· Flexibility, adaptability, and resilience.
· Commitment to continuous learning and reflective practice.
· Understanding that healing is participant-defined and may include cultural, spiritual, relational, and clinical pathways.
Direct Service Responsibilities
The Substance Use Support & Addiction Treatment Navigator provides participant-centred, relationship-based support to Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people accessing the North End Women's Centre. The position focuses on reducing harms associated with problematic substance use while supporting participants in identifying and pursuing their own wellness goals.
The Navigator recognizes that participants may move between periods of active substance use, stabilization, recovery, relapse, and healing. Services are voluntary, participant-led, and responsive to each individual's unique circumstances.
Substance Use Counselling
· Provide one-to-one substance use counselling using participant-led, trauma-informed, culturally safe, strengths-based, and harm reduction approaches.
· Support participants in exploring their relationship with substances without judgment or expectation.
· Utilize evidence-informed approaches including Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and relapse prevention strategies, where appropriate.
· Assist participants in identifying personal goals related to wellness, safety, treatment, recovery, or harm reduction.
· Develop individualized wellness and support plans in collaboration with participants.
· Provide crisis counselling related to substance use, grief, trauma, and other life circumstances.
· Support participants returning from treatment by developing community reintegration and relapse prevention plans.
· Encourage participant self-determination while respecting readiness for change.
· Maintain ongoing therapeutic relationships that recognize healing as an evolving process rather than a single event.
Harm Reduction and Overdose Prevention
· Promote harm reduction as a participant-centred approach that prioritizes dignity, safety, and informed choice.
· Provide education regarding safer substance use practices and overdose prevention.
· Distribute naloxone kits and provide naloxone training to participants, families, and community members.
· Provide education regarding safer consumption supplies and available harm reduction resources.
· Assist participants in developing individualized overdose prevention and safety plans.
· Monitor emerging trends related to the toxic drug supply and communicate relevant information to the NEWC team.
· Participate in overdose response as required while working collaboratively with the Drop-In Team and emergency responders.
· Support participants following overdose events through debriefing, emotional support, and connection to additional services.
· Contribute to creating a welcoming, non-judgmental environment where participants feel safe discussing substance use and related concerns.
Treatment Navigation
· Assess participant readiness for treatment using participant-led approaches.
· Provide education regarding available treatment options.
· Assist participants in accessing Withdrawal Management Services.
· Facilitate referrals to detoxification and residential treatment programs.
· Support referrals and accompaniment to the Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) Clinic.
· Assist participants in accessing Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) where appropriate.
· Provide accompaniment to medical appointments when appropriate.
· Support participants in completing applications, consent forms, and other required documentation.
· Advocate with healthcare providers and service systems when barriers arise.
· Maintain supportive contact before, during, and following treatment whenever possible.
· Coordinate discharge planning and reintegration supports following treatment.
· Support participants experiencing relapse with compassion, recognizing relapse as a possible part of the recovery journey.
Systems Navigation and Advocacy
· Assist participants in navigating healthcare, housing, income assistance, legal, and community support systems.
· Advocate alongside participants to reduce barriers to accessing services.
· Provide referrals to internal NEWC programs and external community agencies.
· Support participants in obtaining identification and accessing financial benefits where appropriate.
· Assist participants in developing safety plans related to substance use, intimate partner violence, exploitation, homelessness, or other risks.
· Provide accompaniment to appointments, meetings, and community services as required.
· Work collaboratively with participants to identify priorities and coordinate supports across multiple systems.
Community Partnerships
The Substance Use Support & Addiction Treatment Navigator will build and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners to strengthen participant access to care and improve continuity of support. Key partnerships may include:
· Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) Clinics
· Supervised Consumption Services
· Mobile Overdose Prevention Services
· Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre
· Shared Health
· Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
· Manitoba Harm Reduction Network
· Main Street Project
· Velma's House
· Street Connections
· Community withdrawal management and treatment providers
· Indigenous healing programs
· Housing organizations
· Primary care providers
· Mental health services
· Other community organizations supporting Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people.
The Navigator will represent NEWC professionally while strengthening collaborative approaches that improve participant outcomes.
Collaborative Practice
· Participate in collaborative case planning.
· Consult with colleagues regarding participant needs and emerging concerns.
· Provide education and guidance related to substance use and harm reduction.
· Support staff responding to complex participant situations.
· Contribute to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment throughout the Centre.
· Share emerging trends related to the toxic drug supply and community wellness.
· Participate in organizational planning, debriefing, and continuous quality improvement.
Recognizing that participants often present with multiple and interconnected needs, the Navigator contributes specialized expertise while supporting NEWC's shared commitment to holistic, participant-centred care.
Community Engagement
· Build trusting relationships within the drop-in and broader community.
· Participate in community outreach activities as appropriate.
· Promote awareness of substance use supports available through NEWC.
· Facilitate educational workshops related to harm reduction, substance use, wellness, and recovery.
· Support community conversations that reduce stigma associated with substance use.
· Promote Indigenous approaches to healing, culture, and community connection where appropriate.
· Participate in community events, committees, and collaborative initiatives consistent with NEWC's mission.
The Substance Use Support & Addiction Treatment Navigator understands that relationship-building is a core intervention. Time spent listening, connecting, and "walking alongside" participants is recognized as meaningful and essential work that contributes to long-term wellness and engagement.
Team Responsibilities, Administrative Duties, Evaluation & Working ConditionsTeam Responsibilities
· Participate in regular Community Support Team meetings, drop-in meetings, case consultations, and organizational planning sessions.
· Work collaboratively with all NEWC staff to ensure participants receive coordinated and seamless supports.
· Contribute specialized knowledge related to problematic substance use, harm reduction, overdose prevention, treatment options, and recovery supports.
· Participate in case reviews, safety planning, and participant consultations as appropriate.
· Share emerging community trends related to the toxic drug supply and identify opportunities to strengthen NEWC's response.
· Participate in participant and staff debriefings following critical incidents.
· Foster positive working relationships built on mutual respect, collaboration, and shared responsibility.
· Support a workplace culture grounded in cultural safety, anti-oppressive practice, reconciliation, and participant self-determination.
· Participate in Centre-wide initiatives, community events, committees, and organizational activities as appropriate.
· Demonstrate professionalism, flexibility, and accountability while supporting NEWC's mission and strategic priorities.
Administrative Responsibilities
· Maintain confidential participant files in accordance with NEWC policies and applicable privacy legislation.
· Complete participant case notes within established organizational timelines.
· Maintain accurate records of participant contacts, counselling sessions, referrals, accompaniments, and follow-up activities.
· Track program statistics and outcomes as required by funding agreements.
· Prepare monthly and quarterly activity reports.
· Contribute to annual program reports and evaluation activities.
· Participate in program planning and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
· Maintain current knowledge of community resources and treatment options.
· Participate in staff meetings, supervision, and performance reviews.
· Participate in mandatory organizational training and professional development.
· Attend community meetings and professional networks relevant to the position.
· Other duties as assigned that are consistent with the responsibilities of the position and NEWC policies.
Professional Practice
· Maintain participant confidentiality and informed consent practices.
· Practice within their education, experience, and professional competencies.
· Seek consultation and supervision when required.
· Maintain healthy professional boundaries while building authentic relationships.
· Demonstrate cultural humility and a commitment to lifelong learning.
· Practice in accordance with trauma-informed, participant-led, anti-oppressive, and harm reduction principles.
· Recognize the impacts of secondary trauma and compassion fatigue while actively participating in personal and organizational wellness strategies.
· Contribute to a psychologically safe workplace through respectful communication and collaborative practice.
Working Conditions
This position is based primarily within NEWC's busy, low-barrier drop-in program and includes regular work within the surrounding community.
The successful candidate must be comfortable working in an environment where participants may be experiencing:
· Active substance use
· Drug poisonings and overdose events
· Mental health crises
· Homelessness
· Poverty
· Grief and loss
· Gender-based violence
· Trauma
· Systemic discrimination
The position requires:
· The ability to respond calmly during crises.
· Frequent walking within the community.
· Occasional transportation of participants.
· Attendance at community appointments and meetings.
· Flexibility to respond to changing participant needs and organizational priorities.
· Strong emotional resilience balanced with compassion and empathy.
NEWC is committed to supporting staff wellness through reflective supervision, team debriefing, cultural supports, professional development, and practices that recognize the importance of balance, healing, and collective care.
Additional Requirements
· Satisfactory Criminal Record Check.
· Satisfactory Child Abuse Registry Check.
· Valid Class 5 Driver's License is mandatory
· Access to a reliable vehicle is considered an asset.
· Current First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain.
· Naloxone Administration Training or willingness to obtain.
· ASIST, Mental Health First Aid, or other relevant certifications are considered assets.
Resumes and a cover letter may be submitted by mail, fax, or email or dropped off at:
Bree Finlay, Program Manager, 394 Selkirk Avenue; Email: [email protected].
If you require an accommodation for the recruitment/interview process (including alternate formats of materials, or accessible meeting rooms or other accommodation), please contact us and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Our hiring process from start to finish typically takes 3-5 weeks. Our process is as follows: 1*. Position is posted internally and externally 2.* Only candidates meeting the eligibility criteria will be contacted for an interview 3. The interview panel may include 2-3 members that include the hiring manager and a current front-line staff. 4. Reference checks will be conducted on the short-listed applicants 5. Successful applicant will be presented with a Job offer and if accepted will start on a mutually negotiated date.
Pay: $27.50-$31.50 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
