Substance Misuse Counsellor
Harm Reduction Services
If you want to make a real impact on the lives of others join Galway Simon Community where we work towards eliminating homelessness through advocacy, education and campaigning in line with our values of compassion, community and collaboration.
Contract Details: 2 Year Fixed Term Contract, Part-Time 30 hours per week.
Location: 11 Sean Mulvoy Centre, Sean Mulvoy Road, Galway, with flexibility to travel in Galway City and County
Salary: Drugs Counsellor Salary Scale 01/10/2024 €46,647 – €67,563 (pro rata)
Benefits
* Sundays: Time and a Half
* Public Holidays: Double Time
* 25 Days Annual Leave
* Employee Pension Scheme
* Employee Assistance Program
* Education Assistance Scheme
* Bike to Work Scheme
* Death in Service (2x basic salary)
Job Summary
The Substance Misuse Counsellor will work as part of the Harm Reduction Service, with a specific focus on supporting clients engaged with Housing First services. The role involves providing a specialist therapeutic support service to individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use challenges, using a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach.
The post holder will act as a community-based resource, offering therapeutic interventions, assessments, harm reduction support, and care planning for people using drugs and alcohol, while working collaboratively with Housing First case workers, multidisciplinary teams, and external agencies.
Key Responsibilities
1. Clinical & Therapeutic Support
· Conduct comprehensive assessments, brief interventions, and ongoing therapeutic work relating to drug and alcohol use.
· Provide a range of evidence-based therapeutic interventions (e.g. MI, CRA, psychosocial support).
· Offer one-to-one tailored support addressing: substance use, mental health, overdose prevention, trauma, self-harm, suicidality, and related high-risk behaviours.
· Support clients preparing for or considering entry into residential addiction treatment services.
· Facilitate group work and psychoeducational programmes as needed.
2. Harm Reduction & Housing First Collaboration
· Work within a low-threshold, harm reduction framework grounded in non-judgemental practice.
· Collaborate closely with Housing First teams to ensure integrated care planning and wraparound supports.
· Provide outreach-based support where appropriate, engaging clients in their homes or community settings.
· Assist clients in accessing local medical, therapeutic, welfare, educational, and employment services; advocate on their behalf where necessary.
3. Interagency Work & Professional Practice
· Maintain strong working relationships with relevant agencies including healthcare, addiction services, social care providers, and community services.
· Communicate effectively with Homeless Services teams across the region.
· Participate in clinical supervision, case reviews, and multidisciplinary meetings.
4. Administration & Compliance
· Maintain accurate, confidential clinical records and required statistics.
· Prepare reports and documentation in line with organisational and regulatory requirements.
· Operate within all Galway Simon Community and relevant professional policies, procedures, and guidelines.
· Contribute to the development and review of service policies and procedures.
5. Training & Professional Development
· Participate in mandatory and developmental training as required.
· Identify areas for future training needs in line with role and service development.
6. General Responsibilities
· Represent Galway Simon Community at relevant meetings, seminars, and events.
· Maintain confidentiality on all matters relating to clients, staff, volunteers, and organisational operations.
· Promote positive teamwork and communication across the service.
· Work at alternative locations as required.
· Undertake additional duties as may reasonably be requested by management.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities.
Essential Requirements
Qualifications
· Accredited Counsellor qualification.
Experience
· Minimum 5 years' relevant post-qualification experience in substance misuse or a closely related field.
· Experience working with individuals affected by homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges.
· Experience using trauma-informed and strengths-based therapeutic approaches.
· Experience in interagency collaboration and community-based service delivery.
Skills & Attributes
· Strong interpersonal, communication, and group facilitation skills.
· Ability to manage challenging behaviour with empathy and professionalism.
· Knowledge of dual diagnosis, safeguarding, and harm reduction principles.
· Ability to work on own initiative in a dynamic, evolving environment.
· Strong IT and administrative skills.
Driving Requirements
· Valid full driver's licence and access to own vehicle.
· Ability to obtain business-use insurance (organisation covers cost).
Closing date 02/02/2026
Galway Simon Community is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.