Frontline Counsellor

Are you committed to ending the cycle of abuse and violence by raising awareness through prevention, education, and advocacy? Are you looking for the opportunity to support women with or without children to live free of abuse by providing shelter and confidential, non
- judgmental services? If this sounds like you then please consider joining the team at Optimism Place

Optimism Place Women’s Shelter and Support Services is an organization that provides emergency shelter, counselling, advocacy, and support for women and their children fleeing domestic violence in Perth County.

**Frontline Counsellor**
- Full Time (70 hours per pay period) continuing position
- Salary range, $21.63-$26.44 per hour
- Paid lunches and breaks
- Accrual of 2 weeks of vacation to start, increasing throughout employment up to 6 weeks, calculated from organizational start date
- Requirements to:

- Able and willing to work day, afternoon, and night shifts, any day of the week; shifts will typically be 10 hours, scheduled 3 shifts one week and 4 shifts the other week
- Potentially work alone in a safe environment with the possibility of encountering high-risk situations
- Complete CPR/First Aid training upon hire
- Provide a valid and recent vulnerable sector check
- Provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination
- Eligibility to participate in health and dental benefits program and RRSP contribution plan
- Reports to the Residential Manager
- Have a positive impact on the lives of women and their children
- Work with like-minded individuals in an anti-oppressive, feminist framework

**The Opportunity Details**:
The Frontline Counsellor is responsible for the delivery of 24/7 confidential, non-judgmental immediate, and initial responses to women in crisis, including answering the crisis line, responding to walk-in clients, and engaging with women and children residing in the secure shelter. Individuals connecting with counsellors could include survivors of gender-based violence, sexual assault, workplace harassment, homelessness, addiction, and mental health. Acts as an ambassador and role model for the agency at all times.
- **In order to be considered for this opportunity you will bring the following**:_

A college diploma from a registered institution in a Social Service Worker or comparable program. A Bachelor of Social Work or Bachelor of Arts in Social Work would be an asset. A minimum of six (6) months of related experience in the field of violence against women services, sexual assault services, or residential services. Volunteer or placement student experience is welcomed. Operates from a trauma-informed perspective.

Demonstrated knowledge or skills in the following areas:

- De-escalation and crisis response
- Individualized engagement and assessment of clients
- Risk assessment and safety planning
- Individual and group counselling
- Housing-focused case planning
- Goal setting and case management
- Problem-solving
- Mediation
- Advocacy
- Recovery orientation
- Non-judgemental and active listening skills
- Trauma-informed approach
- Understanding of housing and homelessness tools and systems is an asset
- A language in addition to English would be considered an asset

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $21.63-$26.44 per hour

Schedule:

- 10 hour shift
- Day shift
- Evening shift
- Night shift

Work Location: In person