Job Posting: Outreach & Counselling Support Worker
Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region Inc. is a feminist organization, dedicated to empowering all persons who identify as women and their children through protected shelter, resources, information and advocacy in order to eliminate violence in their lives. Established in 1992, Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region strives to meet the needs of all women and their children in an inclusive and respectful manner.

Job Title: Outreach & Counselling Support Worker, Community Programs
Number of positions: 1
Terms
Fulltime position. Bargaining Unit Position. Must be available to work onsite at Sandgate Women’s Shelter site in Jackson’s Point in York Region and in the surrounding communities. Occasional evening and weekend availability may be required.

Compensation
$27.23 per hour + benefits

The Outreach & Counselling Support Worker, Community Programs, reports to the Shelter Supervisor and works in co-operation with all staff at Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region. Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region Inc. works within a harm reduction, feminist and intersectional framework, following the mission, vision and guiding principles of the organization.

Major Responsibilities The Outreach & Counselling Support Worker provides mobile, residential, and non-residential crisis support individually and in group settings to develop and carry out individualized goal plans for all persons who identify as women and their children who are affected by violence. Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region Inc. works within a harm reduction, feminist, and intersectional framework, following the mission, vision and guiding principles of the organization.

Community-based Outreach & Counselling

Primarily provides mobile, community-based and non-residential crisis support to persons who identify as women affected by violence, primarily intimate partner violence, and their children

Develop and carry out individualized goal plans with women affected by violence, primarily intimate partner violence, and their children

Provide safety planning, crisis intervention, trauma counseling, advocacy, referrals, and follow up support

Provide community education, development and event planning on issues of violence against women and children

Provide crisis intervention and supportive counseling through the crisis support line and in-person at the shelter(s)

Conduct safety risk assessments and develop proactive safety planning, on the crisis support line and in person

Knowledge of and compliance with relevant legislation (i.e., the Child and Family Services Act)





Provide solution-focused counseling to women in the shelter(s) and on the crisis support line

Conduct an intake for all women and their children who have accessed services within Community Programs

Assist women and children by providing support in navigating the social services system and providing relevant referrals

Provide information on rights, options, and available services

Plan and facilitate support groups designed to improve emotional wellbeing and healing for women in the community and in shelter programs

Administration and documentation

Understand and comply with all organizational policies, procedures and service delivery guides

Collect and report relevant data and statistical information

Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation, i.e.: client management/database updates, monthly reports, communication logs, women’s notes, intake and discharge documentation

Participate in case consultations and warm referrals, as needed

Public awareness

Organize and participate in six or more public awareness/education events on issues related to violence against women annually

Facilitate and participate in appropriate community and coalition meetings

Liaise with schools, teachers and students as requested

Effectively liaise with relevant community stakeholders including public speaking and awareness events

Produce media articles/releases, pamphlets, budgets and reports as required

Team Collaboration and Support

Adhere to all organizational, including emergency, procedures

Adhere to all health and safety requirements and all organization confidentiality requirements

Participate in supervision and/or team meetings

Uphold ethical standards, professional boundaries, and mandatory reporting obligations

Where crisis situations occur, respond in accordance with organizational protocols

Work in co-operation with all Sandgate Women’s Shelter staff, Board members and community partners

Participate in orientation and training of new employees and students, including job shadowing

Co-facilitate support groups as needed

Provide frontline or crisis line coverage as required

Team Collaboration and Support

Work independently and as a team member

Participate in program planning and evaluation





Attend relevant organizational meetings and/or events

Participate in report writing as required

Ability to maintain and secure outreach office (supplies and equipment), including cash

Assume other relevant tasks and activities as required

Qualifications and Skills

Post secondary degree or diploma in a relevant discipline (ie. social work, social services, counselling, women’s studies, or other post-secondary education and experience)

Experience working in gender-based violence and/or sexual violence services

Understanding of gender-based violence, particularly intimate partner violence across diverse intersections of identity (e.g., race, faith, sexual orientation, and gender identities)

Experience working with survivors of gender-based violence and survivor-serving organizations from trauma-informed, feminist, anti-colonial, anti-racist, and anti-oppression frameworks

Experience providing crisis intervention and/or brief counselling

Experience providing in-person community-based outreach

Knowledge of the social services system, and ability to effectively navigate within it

In depth knowledge of York Region’s resources and services

Knowledge of relevant legislation (i.e., the Child and Family Services Act)

Excellent communication, organizational, time management and conflict management skills

An ability to work independently as well as part of a team

Demonstrate active listening and ability to respond appropriately when interacting with individuals or in groups

Facilitator and presentation skills, using a variety of resources and methods

Demonstrated professionalism and a positive work ethic within communication skills, interpersonal effectiveness and conflict resolution

Demonstrated understanding and commitment to the principles of equity of access and cultural diversity

Ability to liaise effectively with community agencies and the general public

Ability to use media, social media, resources, networks to raise awareness and build relationships

Computer proficiency, and experience utilizing one or more outreach design platforms and tools (i.e. Canva, Constant Contact, MailChimp)

Flexibility to work in, and travel to, any part of the region (all Sandgate locations)

A valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle and work-related insurance

A second language other than English and French is an asset

Valid CPR/First Aid certification

Application deadline: October 19 at 5pm
Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in the selection process. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

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📌 Outreach & Counselling Support Worker (Ontario)
🏢 Sandgate Womens Shelter
📍 Ontario