Counselor

**Position**: Stopping the Violence (STV) Counsellor

**Wage**: $41.78 per hour

This position requires Union (BCGEU) membership (PP: Grid 16 - Step 1)

**Hours**: 28 hours per week

Work hours fall primarily Monday - Friday, between 9am - 5pm; may include some evening and weekend duties.

This position is in person at the VSAC offices on Cedar Hill Rd in Victoria, BC.

**Benefits**: Full benefits package available, paid self-care time, annual professional development compensation and internal and external clinical consultation monthly.

**Position Summary**: Provides individual and group counselling to survivors of sexualized violence, internship supervision and development of counselling program materials.

**Responsibilities**:
Working under the supervision of the Counselling Supervisor and Direct Client Services manager, the STV Counsellor:
Provides Assessment and Referral:

- Processes Counselling Program intakes

Facilitates referrals within the Centre and in the Community

Provides: Individual and Group Counselling to survivors of sexualized violence:

- Conducts assessment interviews, at the same time building a working alliance with each survivor.
- Facilitates the survivor's understanding of their own experience and of the emotional impact of the trauma they have suffered.
- Explores the specific behavioral, emotional, cognitive and physical consequences of the sexual violation.
- Explores with the survivor their past and present coping strategies with the goal of developing new coping skills, strengthening existing ones and discouraging those that are harmful.
- Incorporates a range of approaches, (including both individual and group) to address the individual issues of each survivor (such approaches should take into account the wider social, cultural, and economic values that promote powerlessness and re-victimization).
- Provides support and information to members of the client's support system.
- Conducts group counselling including preparation and follow-up with group members as well as debriefing with co-facilitator as required.
- Maintains accurate records of all support provided for the purposes of statistical and legal records.
- Updates the DCS manager regarding the client's counselling plan, progress and unusual circumstances when required.
- Participates in group curriculum development and revisions.
- Participates in peer support, case consultation and clinical consultation.
- Serve on organizational committees as time and interest allows.
- Provides Access line support, SART response and immediate support to clients as necessary.
- Develops effective links and communication with relevant community agencies.
- Administrative tasks including scheduling clients, maintaining schedule, timesheets, session notes, photocopying and group preparation.
- Takes part in public education and prevention work as requested.
- As determined by the DCS Manager, supervise and support student interns either as primary supervisor or as a mentor for group facilitation.
- Maintains awareness of current issues in the field of sexualized violence through reading, professional development and other activities working within an anti-oppressive framework.
- Commits to an ongoing process of analysis and personal awareness regarding issues of power and oppression.
- Participates constructively as a member of the staff team, with the Manager and Centre as a whole.
- Ensures work performed reflects mission, beliefs, values and goals of VSAC.

**Qualifications**

**Education/Experience**

The position requires:

- Masters Degree in counselling, social work or the equivalent skills and knowledge gained from related experience and training.
- Minimum of two years direct counselling experience
- Direct experience working with survivors of sexualized violence, including recent and historic childhood sexual abuse.
- Experience with group facilitation and group material development.
- Experience working in the anti-violence sector

**Job Skills and Abilities**

The position requires:

- Exceptional communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
- Strong administrative skills and ability to balance contact with counselling clients, relevant community organizations and internal staff.
- Ability to work independently within the individual counselling program
- Well-developed counselling techniques for supporting survivors of violence
- Ability to work collaboratively as a part of a team on group planning, material development and organization wide initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work effectively.
- Anti-oppressive analysis of sexualized violence.
- Criminal record check required.

**Salary**: From $41.78 per hour

Expected hours: 28 per week

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision care

Flexible Language Requirement:

- French not required

Schedule:

- M