Counsellor

**Counsellor**
- Full Time Permanent_

Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre (Cornerstone) has an exciting opportunity in which you get to work within the Community Services team to ensure a strong, innovative support system is in place for women and children impacted by gender-based violence in Northumberland County.

We are looking to work with individuals who share our steadfast commitment to ending gender-based violence. We are driven by our internal agency valuesof leadership, integrity, inclusion, collaboration, and innovation.

We are committed to maintaining a positive and healthy workplace culture through consistent collaboration, open communication, and ongoing training and development opportunities throughout our organization. We are deeply proud of the culture we have developed, and the staff who continue to help us shape it.

We’d love to have you join us

As an ever-evolving organization Cornerstone hires on a regular basis. One recent hire had the following to say about Cornerstone and the work that we do:
**"Working at Cornerstone has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me. My time here has aided both my personal and professional development, and I know that I will take the skills that I have learned through Cornerstone with me for the rest of my life. It is a privilege to be doing such meaningful work alongside the ever-supportive and knowledgeable staff at Cornerstone. I am so grateful to be doing what I love within such a wonderful organization."**
**- Victoria**

**What can I expect to do in this role?**
- Provide individual and group counselling, advocacy and referral services to women who have experienced gender-based violence
- In collaboration with clients, assess counselling needs and create individual service plans
- In collaboration with clients, engage in ongoing assessment regarding the effectiveness of the service plan and adjust as necessary
- Use appropriate counselling modalities to support the ongoing development and implementation of the service plan
- Complete safety assessment and explore risk management strategies with clients
- Co-ordinate and/or facilitate a variety of groups for women who have experienced gender-based violence
- Respond to telephone requests ranging from general information inquiries, to counselling
- Facilitate client accompaniments to court, police, hospitals, etc., where appropriate and when possible
- Collect and maintain accurate service statistics
- Maintain appropriate and accurate file documentation
- Write letters and reports regarding clients' files as required
- Attend staff and team meetings
- Participate in committees as requested
- Participate in staff development/training
- Assist with on-the-job training of new staff, students and volunteers
- Contribute to maintaining security, fire, and health and safety standards
- Collaborate with community agencies
- Perform public speaking engagements, promoting public awareness of domestic violence issues as requested
- Assist/support co-workers within a team model
- Perform other duties as assigned
- The nature of the position requires that the employee have a valid driver’s license and unlimited access to a vehicle

**What do I need for this role?**
- Bachelors or Masters level degree or equivalent
- Eligible to be registered with the relevant Regulated professional College of Ontario and/or Professional Association
- Solid understanding of and ability to use various treatment modalities
- Demonstrated ability to stay versed in relevant current research and pursue ongoing professional development
- Minimum 2 years relevant work experience preferred, with at least 1 year focused on providing counselling services
- Comprehensive understanding of issues related to family violence, including a strong understanding of the links between violence, trauma, addictions and mental health
- Proven ability to respond to complex needs of clients in a counselling capacity
- A clear understanding of group dynamics
- Proven ability to facilitate groups
- Knowledge of the following frameworks:

- Motivational Interviewing,
- The Comprehensive Continuous Integrated Systems of Care model of service provision
- Harm Reduction
- Family and Intimate Partner Violence within a gendered lens, and
- Trauma informed
- Strong crisis intervention skills
- Relevant knowledge of local community and social services
- Sound knowledge of relevant legislation
- Superior organizational and time management skills
- Solid written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Strong analytical/critical thinking skills and sound judgment
- Proven ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
- Basic First Aid and CPR certification

**What can I expect from Cornerstone?**
- Competitive rate of $25.99 to $28.05 per hour
- Receive a competitive benefits package and enrollment in our Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)
- The opportunity to engage in ongoing t