Community Counsellor

**Position Description**:
The Community Counsellor supports military families, children, couples, and individuals by helping them develop the skills and resources necessary to improve social functioning. They provide counselling and referrals to other supportive social services. This role also involves offering preventative education and training, facilitating support groups, and fostering connections with both military and civilian community resources.

**Duties & Responsibilities**:

- Evaluate client needs and available resources to create a treatment/support plan.
- Participate in community needs assessments.
- Provide group or individual counselling, referrals, and resources to military family members based on their specific needs.
- Offer counselling to assist in developing client's skills to address and resolve social and personal issues.
- Deliver mediation services and psychosocial assessments.
- Assess the effectiveness of counselling and social programs.
- Provide ongoing counselling and follow-up, adjusting treatment/support plans as needed.
- Facilitate various support groups, educational activities, seminars, and workshops.
- Organize and procure necessary tools, supplies, and requirements for coordinated/facilitated programs.
- Maintain and distribute an up-to-date list of available service and community resources.
- Offer consultation services to government and other organizations, such as the provincial Child and Family Services (CFS) welfare system.
- Ensure backup staff and resources are available during absences and non-working days.
- Provide support tailored to the client's strengths and needs.
- Educate and raise awareness on mental health, domestic violence, and child safety.
- Advocate for individuals and families as needed.
- Use a method of collecting statistics compatible with the MFRC's overall evaluation process.
- Ensure compliance when updating information, data, and activities in the approved cloud-based software platform, Penelope.

**Qualifications**:

- Preferred 3 years of experience with a Bachelor of Social Work. A combination of experience and education in social work, psychology, counselling, or a related field is required. Various combinations of education and experience may be considered.
- Must have professional certification with a registered body that monitors service quality and ethics (e.g., Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba, and the Manitoba College of Social Workers).
- Proven experience and training in a mental health setting, including counselling and working with families and children, is essential.
- Experience working with military families and knowledge of the challenges they face is an asset.
- Strong understanding of adult education, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, family violence, attachment and separation dynamics (cycle of deployment), and psychological trauma and recovery is required.
- Trauma Informed approach and practice is a requirement
- Experience in designing, developing, coordinating, facilitating, implementing, and evaluating workshops, programs, and information seminars is necessary.
- Must be comfortable with public speaking and capable of facilitating group sessions with diverse populations.
- Strong oral and written communication skills are required.
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and record-keeping abilities are essential.
- Strong computer skills, with proficiency in MS Office and the ability to learn new systems, programs, and databases, are required.
- A valid Manitoba driver's license and the ability to travel within the Westman Region are required.
- Familiarity with the military lifestyle and English-French bilingualism are assets.
- A clear criminal record and child abuse check are required.

**Terms of Reference**:
**Location**:In person work at Bldg T-114 at Shilo MFRC

**Anticipated start date**: ASAP

**Term**: Fulltime 1.0 position

**Work Week**: 37.5 hours per week (may involve some evening and/or weekend work)

**Vacation**: 3 weeks of annual leave

**Leave**: Paid Sick Leave

**Pay Scale Range**: Between $34.05 - $38.35 per hour

**Other Compensation**: Mileage compensation available if travelling 16 kms or more for work

**Reports to**: Executive Director

**Other**:
We appreciate all applicants' interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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

Pay: $34.05-$38.35 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

**Benefits**:

- Commuter benefits
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking
- Paid time off

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed

**Education**:

- Secondary School (preferred)

**Experience**:

- BSW or equivalent: 2 years (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

- Professional Certification with a registered body (preferred)

Work Location: In person