Counsellor at Athena's Counselling and Advocacy Centre Job Summary 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 qualified 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 strong 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.

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📌 Counsellor at Athena's Counselling and Advocacy Centre (Oro-Medonte)
🏢 Huroniatransitionhomes
📍 Oro-Medonte