Counsellor

**Counsellor**

Ernestine's Shelter is an organization that provides support and shelter for women, Two-Sprit, trans, non-binary and gender diverse individuals, youth and children experiencing violence. Within a solidarity model, Ernestine's acknowledges the multitude of issues facing survivors of abuse and provides crisis intervention and a range of holistic services.

The Counsellor provides resources and support to clients residing in the shelter. The counsellor will bring strong interpersonal, conflict resolution and relationship building skills, knowledge in providing direct and indirect services to women, Two-Sprit, trans, non-binary and gender diverse individuals and their children escaping violence, advocacy, referrals, crisis intervention, and supportive counseling. The counselor will possess a commitment to facilitate cooperative living in a crisis environment through a proven ability of mediation skills, with the demonstrative competency of ensuring safety and security of women, Two-Sprit, trans, non-binary and gender diverse individuals and their children while on shift. Integral to this role is an understanding of trauma-informed, harm reduction, anti-racist/anti
- oppression and equity principles and frameworks.

**KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Provides crisis support, de-escalation, supportive counselling and conflict mediation.
- Fosters and maintains a trauma-informed approach and harm reduction framework in their work with clients.
- Develops client-centered plans and goals based in their individual needs; including case management plans and risk management plans.
- Offers client centered solution-focused counselling.
- Provides information on community supports and referrals, including warm referrals.
- Conducts case conferences with clients and involved agencies to support client needs.
- Advocates on behalf of clients with various systems.
- Participates on agency committees and contributes to events, which includes team meetings and case management meetings.
- Communicates with team members to share information, provide debriefing opportunities and resolve problems.
- Represents Ernestine is and volunteers on a variety of committees or at events to promote the Shelter, share information and resolve problems.
- Develops and maintains effective and positive interpersonal relationships with all agency staff members, volunteers and external contacts.
- Maintains comprehensive and accurate clients’ records.
- Keeps accurate documented statistics of all clients residing at Ernestine’s Shelter.
- Responsible for providing written reports on monthly statistics and monthly trends.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- A minimum three years’ experience working in a counselling capacity with women, Two-Sprit, trans, non-binary and gender diverse individuals and children who have experienced sexual abuse and/or violence in relationships;
- Post-secondary education and previous front-line shelter work is required;
- Experience providing information and referrals specific to the needs of women, Two-Sprit, trans, non-binary and gender diverse individuals fleeing violence;
- Experience and training in working from an anti-racism/anti-oppression framework, Trauma-Informed care, mental health recovery model and harm reduction framework;
- Demonstrated crisis intervention, risk assessment and management and case management skills;
- Knowledge of the impact of systemic marginalization on women and children, including sexism, racism, poverty, homophobia, transphobia, and dis/ability;
- Demonstrated competencies in communication, innovation, creative problem-solving, flexibility and adaptability, accountability and strategic and collaborative thinking;
- Demonstrated organizational ability and time management skills to handle caseload requirements, set priorities, compile statistical data and reports for review and evaluation;
- Experience working within a diverse work setting and with a diverse client population;
- Excellent professional & empathetic communication and conflict management skills;
- Flexibility to adapt to client’s immediate needs effectively;
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team in a collaborative environment;
- Intermediate computer skills, including knowledge of the WISH Database an asset;
- Fluency in a second language considered an asset.

**The hours of work** are 35 hours a week Monday to Friday, but may vary as needed (this may include evenings and weekends).

**Submit your cover letter and résumé by January 20, 2023 by 5pm.**

Ernestine’s promotes the principles of anti-racist/ anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Ernestine’s is committed to inclusion and equity principles; we encourage all women, Two-Spirit, genderqueer, trans and non-binary individuals to apply, including racialized, indigenous and individuals with disabilities to apply. Ernestine’s provides accommodation during all parts of the