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GENDER BASED VIOLENCE PREVENTION COUNSELLOR

- - - Number of Vacancies: 1
Type of Contract: Permanent
Hours of Work: 37.5 Hours/Week
Compensation: $52,037-$52,055/Year

Job Code: 1-GBV-2026
Start Date: TBD
Department: Gender Based Violence Support Services
Location: Hamilton, ON

ABOUT US

Founded in 1889, YWCA Hamilton is known as one of Hamilton’s original social innovators and works from a feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework. We are committed to providing meaningful and accessible services that create opportunities to amplify voices and co-create gender-inclusive and equitable communities.

YWORK FOR US?

Grounded in our core values of intersectional feminism, people-centred approaches, belonging, shared responsibility and robust partnerships, our work is guided by the belief that lasting change can be created together. YWCA Hamilton envisions an equitable world where women (cis and trans), girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people have the rights and resources to shape their own lives and lead their communities. Join us in taking bold action that leads to life-changing impacts in our community.

AS A YWCA HAMILTON EMPLOYEE YOU GET

- On-the-job training and professional development opportunities
- Childcare discounts
- Opportunities to get involved in our community
- A competitive total rewards package that may include extended health benefits and paid sick time (eligibility criteria applies)

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of women, children, gender diverse people and families every day, we would love for you to join our team!

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Gender Based Violence Prevention Counsellor will provide individual counselling and group facilitation to women and gender diverse individuals, including those with developmental disabilities. The Gender-Based Violence Prevention Counsellor will be working closely with the Developmental Services Department to provide accessible, trauma-informed, inclusive services with a focus on the impacts of violence and trauma, gender inequity, and ableism on participants’ lives.

The role includes delivering education and prevention programming focused on but not limited to healthy relationships, consent, sexual health, bodily autonomy, boundaries, online safety, and recognizing and preventing abuse. The Gender Based Violence Counsellor will have a breadth of knowledge on accessibility and developmentally appropriate approaches while working with clients and in facilitating workshops.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Work collaboratively with women and gender-diverse individuals, including those with developmental disabilities, to support education, counseling, and coaching related to healthy relationships, consent, sexual health, bodily autonomy, boundaries, online safety, and recognizing and preventing abuse;

· Provide accessible counselling and adapt communication methods and materials to ensure understanding and informed decision-making;

· Support with safety planning, risk assessment, referrals to health care, social services, and case management as needed;





· Conduct intake meetings and assessments to identify needs, strengths, accessibility requirements, and service goals;

· Apply knowledge of trauma, the dynamics of woman abuse, systemic ableism, and intersecting forms of oppression to develop and implement effective support strategies;

· Deliver education and prevention programming related to Healthy relationships, Consent, Sexual health, reproductive health, and safer sex practices; Digital safety, exploitation prevention, Boundaries, communication skills, and self-advocacy;

· Develop, implement and facilitate evidence- based accessible, inclusive group workshops using plain language, visual supports, interactive tools, and other adaptive strategies appropriate for individuals with developmental disabilities;

· Supports with the creation of formal and informal learning opportunities for internal teams on trends and best practices approaches related to GBV;

· Provide crisis intervention, supportive counselling, referrals, and advocacy;

· Communicate, advocate, and collaborate with community agencies (e.g., housing providers, developmental service agencies, healthcare providers, legal and social service partners) to coordinate wraparound supports;

· Works cross departmentally to enhance service coordination and delivery;

· Maintain professional recordkeeping standards for reports, statistics, and evaluation of client interactions and program outcomes;

· Maintain high levels of confidentiality when working with sensitive client and contract information;

· Implement appropriate program guidelines and procedures to ensure consistency, accessibility, and excellence;

· Provide program reports to Supervisor as required;

· Nurtures and forms meaningful internal and external working relationships and partnerships;

· Attend industry-related networking events and represent YWCA Hamilton on community committees, including those focused on developmental services and violence prevention;

· Understand and incorporate emerging trends, leading practices, and professional standards in GBV, disability justice, and sexual health education;

· Work safely, report workplace hazards, and follow all YWCA Hamilton Health and Safety policies and procedures;

· Adhere to the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA), Workplace Safety Insurance Board Act (WSIB), Human Rights Code, and Employment Standards Act (ESA);

· Attend and participate in mandatory staff/team meetings and trainings as outlined by the YWCA Hamilton;

· Ensure compliance with YWCA Hamilton policies and procedures;

· Support YWCA Hamilton mission, vision, and values;

· Perform other duties as required

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· Works 37.5 -hour work week;

· Often works in high conflict situations requiring resolution and safety planning for clients and staff;





· Ability to use frequent medium to heavy physical effort: lifting up to 22.7 kg (50 lbs.), bending and stooping;

· Work schedule includes days, afternoons, and/or occasional weekends.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Completion of 2 years’ college in social work, developmental services, human services, or equivalent or equivalent academic and/or work experience;

· Minimum 3 years’ experience working in violence against women services and supportive counselling, with experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities preferred;

· Experience working with Developmental Services Ontario is considered an asset;

· Strong knowledge of community resources, and programs within the Hamilton Region;

· Ability to navigate legal resources as well as familiarity with various justice service providers is an asset;

· Strong knowledge and experience in accessible group or workshop facilitation;

· Demonstrated experience adapting materials for diverse learning styles and cognitive abilities;

· Strong understanding of gender-based violence, systemic ableism, and intersecting forms of oppression;

· Knowledge of consent education, sexual health promotion, and violence prevention frameworks;

· Experience in trauma-based counselling and education;

· Demonstrated commitment to disability justice, accessibility, and anti-ableist practice;

· Must be able to work from a feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and intersectional framework;

· Ability to work a flexible schedule including days, afternoons, weekdays and/or occasional weekends;

· Must provide a current Vulnerable Sector Police Check or willingness to obtain at own cost;

· Must have current Standard First Aid and CPR certificate or willingness to obtain at own cost;

· Knowledge of community resources in the violence against women and developmental Services sectors;

· Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and effectively within a team;

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including plain language communication;

· Bilingual English/French or other languages is an asset.

As part of YWCA Hamilton’s commitment to Access and Equity, we strive to represent the diverse communities that we serve. Individuals who are women, First Nations, Métis, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ2S+; individuals with disabilities; and individuals from racialized communities or other marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process, if you require accommodation please reach out to [email protected]

Personal information collected during the recruitment process will only be used for employment opportunities in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. Only applications from individuals eligible to work in Canada will be considered. YWCA Hamilton may use AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants during the hiring process.

Thank you for your interest in YWCA Hamilton. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.

Apply on Kit Job: kitjob.ca/job/2ey5jh

📌 Gender Based Violence Prevention Counsellor (Hamilton)
🏢 YWCA Hamilton
📍 Hamilton