Family Counsellor

We are proud and honoured to offer services on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓ əm) First Nations.

**Opportunity**:
We are looking for a **temporary full-time** Family Counsellor (April 1st to September 1st) to work in the Tri Cities area.

You must be able to travel to families’ homes and within their community to provide a variety of parenting education and supportive interventions that promote healthier family functioning, reduce risk factors, maintain safety and increase well-being. Due to the current pandemic, we are also offering virtual services to clients, such as video calls and phone calls.

Cases range from seeing a family one or two times per week for 3/6 months, to delivering intensive intervention support 3 days a week for 8-12 weeks.

**Responsibilities**:
Reporting to the Team Leader, the Family Counsellor will be responsible for the following functions:

- Conducting and completing detailed assessments for clients referred from multiple agency streams.
- Assessing, screening, referring, and linking individuals to internal and community resources as needed.
- Compiling and gathering collateral information.
- Participating in integrative case management meetings as needed to determine outcomes for individuals referred to the Agency.
- Consulting with the Ministry for Children and Family development to co-ordinate and deliver services.
- Communicating and coordinating relevant client information with agency staff across departments.
- Attend as-needed weekly meetings for the intake, transition and discharge of quick response clients.
- Provide interventions and brief therapeutic supports to individuals experiencing crisis.
- Linking individuals with urgent needs to immediate resources (i.e. securing food resources, financial assistance, and housing).
- Attend group consultation meetings, business meetings and monthly supervisions with your supervisor.

**Skills You Bring**:

- Experience working with families who may present multiple service needs related to poverty, addictions, violence, child abuse or neglect, and mental health issues.
- Strong counselling, program planning, and communication skills.
- An understanding of integrated case management.
- Computer proficiency - MS Office, ERP/CRM software systems (e.g. Sohema)
- Current Standard First Aid with CPR & AED Level C certificate.
- Valid Driver’s License with satisfactory driving record and use of own vehicle.
- Pass a satisfactory Criminal Record Check for working with vulnerable persons.
- A second language is considered an asset.

**Requirements**:

- Relevant M.A. degree (i.e. Social Services, Counselling Psychology) with 3 years’ experience or relevant B.A. with 5 years’ experience in family preservation/reunification preferred.

**Why Work for Westcoast**:
Be part of a grassroots community-based agency committed to developing and strengthening our community together. As a Westcoast employee, you will benefit from:

- An opportunity to be a part of a hands-on mentoring experience, through role-modeling and
- Making a difference in your local
- A chance to do meaningful work with a committed team of professionals.
- Contribute to our commitment to being an inclusive and culturally safe environment for all.
- Join us in being allies to Indigenous peoples, on our journey to reconciliation.

**About Westcoast Family Centres**:
Westcoast Family Centres Society ('Westcoast’) is a multi-service community-based non-profit organization delivering child-centered, evidence-based programs and services to children and families in the Lower Mainland. Our mission is to strengthen and develop healthy relationships between children, their families, and their communities. Our programs and services aim to address the unique and varied challenges faced by vulnerable families.

Joining the Westcoast team is an opportunity to be a part of a team where your skills and knowledge will make a positive impact in the lives of children and families. Westcoast takes pride in creating inclusive spaces, where its diverse workforce can thrive.