Outreach & Counselling Support Worker

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 safe 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
• 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: December 8 at 5pm

Please submit a cover letter and resume to: Lisa Peters, Administrative Assistant Sandgate Women's Shelter of York Region Inc. Email: [email protected]

Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in the selection process. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.