General Counsellor

**Duties**:

- Provides initial intake and needs assessments for asylum seekers, refugee claimants, chronically homeless and newly arrived families/ individuals.
- Through a Case Management service model, assist clients with information, referral, documentation, crisis intervention, follow-up and supportive counselling services.
- 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
- Refers clients to community & social service agencies for additional settlement services support
- Keep administrative records of services and activities, prepare necessary reports and input data using COSTI database.
- Perform other duties as required.

**Qualifications**:

- Social Services Worker diploma or equivalent with relevant practicum experience.
- Minimum of twelve (12) months full time experience providing initial settlement, case management and counselling for refugees and 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
- Previous case management experience.
- Through knowledge of specific issues facing homeless population and refugee claimants in general.
- Demonstrated experience providing services in the following areas; wife and child abuse, resettlement and victims of torture, war and displacement.
- **Priority consideration will be given to those that speak a second language**:

- Ability to negotiate and advocate with mainstream society and able to intervene during crisis.
- Demonstrated experience in data-entry, documentation and reporting.
- Demonstrated ability to work under pressure of heavy caseload and deadlines.
- Highly developed organizational skills, ability to multi-task and set priorities
- Good written and oral communication skills in English is required.
- 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**:

- Highway 7 and 404 (Markham)

**Duration of Position**:

- December 16, 2024 to June 30, 2025

**Starting Salary Range**:

- $31.40 to $32.92 per hour

**Posting Date**:

- 2024-11-29

**Closing Date**:

- 2024-12-12

**Notes**:

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