Integrating an intersectional feminist framework and a harm reduction philosophy, the Counsellor is responsible for providing trauma-informed counselling services to women who have experienced gender-based violence. Services may be delivered in person, virtually, or by telephone, as mutually determined by the woman and the counsellor.

RESPONSIBILITIES & ACTIVITIES

SERVICE DELIVERY

- Provide individual supportive counselling to strengthen women's understanding of the impacts of gender-based violence
- Support women in contextualizing their experiences through a trauma-informed approach

- Engage in therapeutic modalities that promote healing, insight, self-awareness, and resilience
- Provide counselling through a feminist empowerment model using evidence-based practices
- Establish a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental counselling environment
- Assist women in developing personal goals, safety plans, and action plans
- Collaboratively identify service needs
- Provide referrals and assist women in accessing community resources
- Facilitate therapeutic and educational groups as assigned
- Support women in developing self-advocacy skills and strategies
- Respond to crisis situations and provide short-term crisis intervention where required
- Provide ongoing counselling to support recovery from violence and trauma.
- Be available to engage people at the door and on the phone and to attend to office tasks

COMMUNITY LIAISON AND ADVOCACY
- Assist women in making connections with community resources including housing, medical, social assistance, basic needs resources and legal systems
- Promote women's rights, empowerment, and safety through education and advocacy
- Remain committed to initiatives that support the prevention and eradication of GBV
- Build collaborative relationships with community partners and service providers

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
- Maintain accurate and timely statistics as per agency policies and procedures
- Ensure client information is accurately entered into agency databases and reporting systems.
- Participate in program planning, evaluation, and quality improvement by collecting information through survey distribution, feedback forms, etc. and identifying trends
- Make recommendations regarding service improvements to program supervisor
- Research resource materials to support the work and the needs of the participants
- Participate in ongoing professional development, including approved workshops and trainings

TEAM AND AGENCY PARTICIPATION
- Actively participate in staff and agency meetings
- Collaborate with management, staff and community partners to enhance service delivery
- Promote a healthy, respectful, and inclusive workplace culture
- Participate in supervision, applicable training, and professional development opportunities
- Practice open, direct, respectful, and professional communication
- Perform other related duties as assigned
- Adhere to all policies, procedures, regulations, and standards of Huronia Transition Homes

QUALIFICATIONS

Education
- A relevant post-secondary degree/diploma (BSW/MSW preferred) and a minimum of 3-5 years of relevant work experience




- Minimum 3-5 years of counselling experience working with survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and/or gender-based violence
- Current First Aid/CPR Certification
- WHMIS Certification

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Extensive knowledge of the issues & complexities of violence against women
- Strong understanding of intersectional feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and harm reduction frameworks
- Knowledge of trauma-informed and evidence-based counselling approaches
- Ability to work with women experiencing mental health and substance use issues
- Strong counselling and assessment skills
- Group facilitation and program delivery skills
- Knowledge of social service, housing, healthcare, legal, and justice systems
- Experience working with women from diverse cultural, racial, linguistic, socio-economic, and geographic backgrounds
- Excellent problem-solving, conflict resolution, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Strong organizational, documentation, and time-management skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic client database systems
- Demonstrated ability to meet individual and organizational goals and service targets

Working Conditions/Requirements
- Office environment but may include non-standard workplaces
- Reliable vehicle, valid driver's license, and appropriate insurance
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods
- Some flexibility in working hours may be required to meet client needs

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Teamwork

- Work cooperatively and collaboratively with other members of the organization; demonstrate the ability to cooperate in achieving organizational goals and work objectives; share information and communicate effectively with team members; use effective conflict resolution skills.

Service Delivery:
- Recognize, meet, and effectively communicate regarding the unique service needs of individual women and children in service; role model and mentor others to develop the ability to apply a woman-centred approach to service delivery which demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the organization’s mission, beliefs and aims, anti-racist/anti-oppression/harm reduction framework.

Policy, Procedure and Process Adherence:
- Thoroughly understand and apply appropriate organizational and operational policies, principles, procedures, methodologies, rules, guidelines and interpretations in all aspects of daily work.

Judgment/Decision Making:
- Demonstrate ability to analyze relevant information and evaluate alternate courses of action within scope of position; anticipate consequences and assume responsibility for actions taken.

Adaptability/Innovation:




- Demonstrate initiative to respond effectively to challenges and responsibilities; demonstrate flexibility when considering concepts, ideas and work practice; able to initiate new ideas and recommend innovative methods, processes and strategies.

Listening, Understanding and Responding
- Demonstrate the ability to practice active listening; to understand scenarios as they occur, and to respond appropriately when interacting with individuals and groups; liaise effectively and respectfully with team, supervisors, co-workers, service users and the general public.

Achieving Results:
- Able to achieve or surpass identified goals with appropriate use of supervision; consistently produce quality work by establishing priorities, implementing, monitoring and adjusting in order to meet objective and deadlines.

Technological Competence:
- Appropriately and efficiently use office equipment; use technology with fluency and ease; resolve routine problems without assistance; learn new technologies quickly and adapt to change easily; comply with computer and equipment use policy.

Intersectional Feminist Analysis:
- Provide all services and supports using an intersectional feminist approach which recognizes that social norms are set by the dominant social groups, and work towards dismantling those norms; recognize women’s individual and unique social locations and experiences of oppression; understand identities of gender, sex, sexual orientation, class, race, ethnicity, religion or spirituality, immigration status, and ability; understand the complexity of these identities, and connect these social locations to the multi-layered experiences of power, privilege and oppression, and how various social norms give or diminish power; Understand how oppression contributes to systemic injustice and social inequality; demonstrate a robust understanding of all forms of gender-based violence; demonstrate a commitment to continuing education as it relates to feminism and violence against women.

Work Within a Harm Reduction Philosophy:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of harm reduction principles as an evidence-based framework; understand use, effects and impacts of substances and able to communicate both practical and functional aspects of harm reduction practices to the women we serve; meet women “where they are at” with a non-judgmental approach; demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning in regards to trends, strategies, legislation etc.

In keeping with our commitment to represent all our communities, Indigenous women, Francophone women, queer-identified and racialized women are especially encouraged to apply. Compensation: $58,319.00, per year

AI disclosure: We do not use artificial intelligence or automated decision-making tools at any stage of the candidate screening, evaluation, or selection process. All hiring decisions are made by human reviewers.

Vacancy status: This is an existing position vacancy.

Please submit your up-to-date resumé, as well as a cover letter highlighting your experience, to:

Verónica Peña [email protected]

P.O. Box 54

Midland, ON L4R 4K6

Fax: (phone hidden)

www.huroniatransitionhomes.com

📌 Counsellor (Barrie)
🏢 Huronia Transition Homes
📍 Barrie