Recovery Engagement Worker - Relief

Calgary-Drop-in-&-Rehab-Society-Centr; Calgary; On-site; CAD 32,000 - 42,000; Part time

Job summary

Calgary-Drop-in-&-Rehab-Society-Centr is seeking a Recovery Engagement Worker to support relief staffing in our ROSC programs. You will engage guests with trauma-informed care and help connect them to services, housing, and community supports.

The role requires strong communication, resilience, and the ability to support guests through withdrawal, distress, or instability. Casual scheduling offers flexibility to cover shifts as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong communication, rapport-building and de‑escalation abilities.
• Basic computer literacy.
• First Aid and CPR/AED Level C (or A) certification within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Build trust with guests through trauma-informed, supportive interactions.
• Support guests to identify goals and recovery plans.
• Facilitate recovery-oriented groups and activities.
• Assist with intake, triage, orientation, and assessments.
• Participate in case conferences and care planning.
• Arrange transportation and accompany guests to appointments.

Skills

Communication

De‑escalation

Trauma‑informed

Education

Human Services / Social Work training

Tools

First Aid/CPR

Job description

The Opportunity

Position Title: Recovery Engagement Worker

Reports To: Health & Recovery Services Leadership

Employment Type: Casual

Schedule: As Relief staff, you will help support staffing coverage for vacations, sick leave, and other absences. Relief shifts are assigned on an as-needed basis, offering flexibility while supporting the needs of the organization.

Location: 1 Dermot Baldwin Way SE, Calgary, Alberta

About the Department

Recovery‑Oriented System of Care (ROSC) is comprised of two programs: Withdrawal Management (WDM) and Recovery Transition (RT). Both programs are located within our main emergency shelter building.

WDM provides short‑term support for guests withdrawing from substances. Medical supports, including nurses and physicians, monitor and manage withdrawals with a focus on safety, dignity, and community‑based care. WDM supports guests to identify the next step in their recovery journeys, based on guests’ needs and goals. This may include connecting to internal DI programs or referrals to community treatment centres.

RT is a transitional programme designed for guests who have completed a detoxification programme – whether within ROSC or in the community – and are waiting for admission to a community treatment centre. A robust team supports guests with building recovery capital, enhancing coping mechanisms, connecting with housing, and working towards recovery goals.

What You’ll Do

Every role at the DI makes a difference. In this position, you will:

• Inspire trust and connection by building respectful, trauma‑informed relationships with guests, while confidently providing compassionate support and de‑escalation during times of emotional distress, non‑clinical withdrawal, and behavioural challenges.
• Empower guests to discover their strengths, set meaningful goals, and create personalised recovery and wellness plans while building the skills, resources, resilience, and community connections needed to support long‑term recovery, independence, and overall well‑being.
• Create engaging opportunities for growth by facilitating recovery‑oriented groups, life skills development, and recreational programming that builds confidence, encourages connection, and fosters overall well‑being.
• Guide guests through intake, triage, orientation, and assessments to identify needs, set expectations, and support successful recovery outcomes.
• Drive collaborative care planning by participating in case conferences and multidisciplinary rounds, while supporting successful guest transitions through proactive referrals, warm handoffs, and community partnerships.
• Facilitate safe and successful community engagement by arranging transportation, supporting access to essential services, and accompanying guests to appointments and program activities.
• Be a visible and trusted presence on the unit, promoting safety, wellness, and stability through meaningful guest engagement, responsive crisis support, and active participation in the daily operations that create a positive recovery environment.

What You Bring

We know that great people come from all kinds of backgrounds. You don’t have to check every single box! If you’re passionate about helping others and share our values, we want to hear from you.

What we need from you

• Applicants must meet at least one of the following (both preferred):
• Lived experience with substance use and recovery, with a minimum of 2 years of sobriety/recovery, AND/OR lived experience with homelessness.
• The ability to use lived experience in a professional, grounded, and ethical manner.

OR

• • A certificate, diploma, degree, or equivalent formal training in Human Services, Addictions, Social Work, Health, Community Support, Psychology, or other related fields.
• Strong communication, rapport‑building, and de‑escalation abilities.
• Ability to support guests experiencing trauma, withdrawal, emotional distress, or instability.
• High emotional resilience, calmness under pressure, and self‑awareness.
• Comfort with light cleaning duties and standard shelter‑industry health considerations.
• Basic computer literacy.
• Standard First Aid and CPR/AED Level C (or A) certification required within 30 days of start.
• Ability to provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check.
• A genuine commitment to the mission, vision, values, and work of the agency.

Nice to Have’s

• Relevant work experience in recovery, shelter, mental health, addictions, or homelessness‑serving environments.
• Additional training or certifications in trauma‑informed care, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, suicide risk assessment, or related approaches.
• Experience facilitating groups, workshops, recreational programming, or community‑based supports.
• Knowledge of Calgary‑based recovery, housing, and community resources.