Crisis Intervention Counsellor

**Reports to**: Manager, Safe Shelter Services

**Location**: Burlington (Shelter 12-3pm/hotel 3-8pm)

**Status**: Temporary Full Time to April 5, 2026, with possibility of extension

**Shift**:Afternoons 1: Monday to Friday 3:30 PM - 11:30 PM (modified during renovations to 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM)

**Classification**: Union

**Department**: Programs & Services

**Application Deadline: Friday, July 25, 2025, at 4pm**

**Agency Overview**:
Halton Women’s Place is the only Safe Shelter program in the Halton Region. We provide a safe haven, information, education, and counselling, to support women and children to live a life free from violence. We operate two emergency safe shelters, as well as community outreach and public education program. Our safe shelter facilities operate on a 24/7 basis.

**Position Summary**

Crisis Intervention Counsellors provide immediate crisis counselling, emotional and practical support to Women and their children, who are fleeing, or attempting to flee, Domestic Violence. This role also provides education, referral services and advocacy to women and their children according to the mandate and policies of Halton Women's Place. They are responsible to ensure the safe, healthy, and effective provision of shelter and crisis line/chat services.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**Client Services**
- Respond immediately to requests for services from the Halton community to provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and practical assistance to women.
- Conduct client needs assessments and provide referrals or linkages to long term case management programs.
- Assess safety concerns and critical care needs, develop/update individualized safety plans.
- Advocate and liaise with other community agencies to provide wraparound support.
- Work from a client centered approach, trauma informed, and anti - oppressive frameworks.
- Maintain confidential client files, accurately documenting intervention/case notes in database.
- Complete all required agency reporting including quantitative and qualitative data.
- May be required to assist with meal preparation and service, supporting nutritional needs, as needed.
- Attend staff meetings as required for this position, including staff professional development meetings, department meetings, and team meetings

**Mentorship, Coaching and Training**
- Assist in the training of staff and volunteers by actively participating in the onboarding and job training process;
- supervise placement students as required;
- Be open to attend and present at periodic community events or committee roundtables;

**Community Advocacy**
- Represent HWP in a professional manner when attending events.
- Participate in workshops and seminars to maintain and develop job related skills.
- Actively engage in periodic fundraising events, representing the agency and supporting the event.

**WORKING CONDITIONS**:

- Position will require working from one of the safe shelter locations, with flexibility to move to the other as needed and, in the case of relief staff, flexibility to work at both is mandatory.
- Attending satellite offices in the community if required and scheduled. (eg, should clients be temporarily housed externally say in a Hotel)
- While the work can be demanding and unpredictable, your ability to remain calm under pressure and prioritize the well-being of our residents will be essential.
- Depending on the number of clients with children, you may be exposed to times when the noise of playing with children is overbearing. Your ability to view this through a lens of compassion will set you up for success at this time.

**QUALIFICATIONS**

**Education**
- Bachelor of Social Work or Social Service Worker Diploma or equivalent academic credential is required.
- A comprehensive combination of education in a related field, combined with significant relatable experience, may be considered.
- BSW or SSW students working towards their degree/diploma, may be considered for relief positions until the completion of their degree/diploma.

**Experience and Knowledge**
- Min. 1 year experience working within a community agency providing crisis intervention and emotional support along with client advocacy services is required. 3 years is preferred.
- Knowledge and ability to work from a client centered, anti-oppression framework that incorporates trauma and violence informed practice.
- Strong assessment, interviewing and crisis intervention skills, including suicide risk assessment and safety planning particularly for those at risk of harm from intimate partner violence.
- Knowledge of legal system (both criminal and family law), intimate partner violence, trauma, and the criminal justice system.
- General knowledge of the social service system and community resources in the Region of Halton.
- Bilingualism and/or ability to speak other languages predominant in the Region of Halton, will be considered a strong asset.

**Skills and Abilities**
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, act wi