General Counsellor

**Duties**:

- Provides initial intake and needs assessments for newly arrived families/ individuals.
- Provides supportive counselling, crises intervention and initial settlement services as well as follow-up services in special needs cases.
- Works one on one with clients to develop a case plan and connect them to supports and services in the community.
- Provides information and referral for income, employment and health settlement services.
- Delivers orientation sessions on hostel rules, and settlement related topics.
- Advocates and case consults with other social service organizations and service providers.
- Provides crisis intervention and counselling e.g. in cases of conflict,
- Documents services and activities in COSTI’s data base system and prepare necessary reports.
- Refers clients to community & social service agencies for additional settlement services support

**Qualifications**:

- Social Services Worker diploma or equivalent with relevant practicum experience.
- Minimum of twelve (12) months experience providing initial settlement, case management and counselling for newcomers
- Identifying settlement needs through initial assessments and basic mental health assessments;
- Referrals to programs and education within COSTI and other social service organizations, such as language training, income support, health supports, etc.;
- Emotional supportive counselling.
- Experience in crises intervention and de-escalation skills
- **Priority consideration will be given to those that speak a second language**:

- Demonstrated experience providing services in the following areas; wife and child abuse, resettlement and victims of torture, war and displacement.
- Previous case management experience.
- Knowledge of specific issues facing homeless population and resettled refugees in general.
- Ability to negotiate and advocate with mainstream society and able to intervene during crisis.
- Demonstrated experience in data-entry, documentation and reporting.
- Excellent communication, organization and coordination skills.
- Possession of a valid First Aid/CPR training certificate.
- Possession of a valid Naloxone training certificate
- Must have a valid Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS). The VSS must have been completed within the past 6 months.
- Must be fully vaccinated or be exempt from vaccination on human rights grounds. COSTI reserves the right to require information establishing the validity of the exemption.

**Location**:

- Hwy 401 and Dixon Rd

**Duration of Position**:

- April 3, 2023 - December 31, 2023

**Starting Salary Range**:

- $50, 778 - $54, 652 per annum + benefits

**Posting Date**:

- 2023-03-08

**Closing Date**:

- 2023-03-21

**Notes**:

- Priority consideration will be given to those on Notice of Recall.