Part Time Shelter Relief Counsellor- Union

Interval House of Hamilton is a 22 bed shelter for women and children who have experienced violence and abuse. We offer crisis intervention counselling, emergency shelter, a transitional housing program and outreach programs. We provide feminist (diverse intersectional)-based compassionate and innovative supports, counselling and therapeutic/activity based group programing for women, and conversely, their children living in the shelter We are seeking talented, energetic and passionate staff to fill our relief roster. Relief Staff are vital to our agency in providing casual, on call coverage for the shelter. We are in need of multiple relief staff who are available to work a variety of shifts sometimes with short notice in our 24/7 facility. Shifts can range from Monday-Friday's, overnights, weekends and holidays.

Interval House of Hamilton is a SEIU unionized workplace.

**POSITION DETAILS**:
The Front-Line Shelter Relief Staff should give support to, and contribute to, the case management goals, plans, and strategies for women and their children in the shelter. They encourage a caring, healthy, safe and positive work and residential setting for women in the shelter. Workers assist woman, and case-management, to asses and plan for her personal safety, coping (harm reduction if necessary), counselling and legal supports needs/requirements. They promote weekly support groups and activities to help women through this difficult time in their lives, and provide productive outlets for them to promote personal growth and healing. Counsellors work to prevent, manage and defuse any behavioral issues that arise within the shelter and to help them manage the personal and emotional issues that are causing them to act this way. AS well they contribute to the maintenance of a clean and healthy workplace through cleaning and assisting with meal prep.

**Hours of Work**:Work is part time and call-in relief. The employee needs to recognize that part time relief work does not offer a predictable work schedule, however guaranteed 1 to 2 shifts per schedule under the terms provided upon employment.

**SKILLS AND COMPENTENCIES REQUIRED**
- Action oriented
- Approachability & Humour
- Client focus
- Compassion
- Creative
- Crisis management/conflict resolution
- Decision quality and results driven,
- Diversity and inclusion practice
- Ethics and Values
- Excellent written and verbal skills,
- Feminist based counseling
- Integrity & Trust
- Interpersonal & Political Savvy
- Listening
- Sound knowledge legislation affecting abused women
- Technical Skills
- Working knowledge of harm reduction strategies

**QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED**

**Education**:
Undergraduate degree in Social Work (from recognized University/College) or related disciplines.

**Experience**:
Minimum two years’ experience working in Women’s Services and preference to residential setting. Experience with group facilitation and program planning. Experience working with high risk women and working with Stages of Change model an asset.

**Other**:
Valid First Aid/CPR certification, Valid ASSIST Certification, Valid PMAB/CPI/UMAB Certification, valid Ontario driver’s license and own vehicle or access to, as well as the appropriate corresponding insurance. Be educated in harm reduction strategies and practices. Member of College of Social Work, bi-lingual or a second language an asset.

**Working Environment/Hazards**

A residential women’s shelter environment is fast past, continuously changing and crisis management communal work. Employees will work with diverse groups of women and children in traumatic emotional states, and must be willing to assist them with personal care items, assist with communal living, conflict management, crisis counselling and advocate for women with community and justice services.

Front-line relief staff are expected to do a reasonable amount of work in the office due to documentation and therefore some sitting is required. However, staff must also maintain a presence on the floor and assist the women with their reasonable daily needs.

**PLEASE FORWARD RESUME & LETTER OF INTEREST describing your skills, competencies and experiences and your knowledge of feminist counselling along with a current resume to**:
Sue Taylor, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

**NOTE: Resumes will not be accepted after the deadline.**

**Please notify of accommodations required, if selected for an interview.**

**Job Types**: Part-time, Casual

Pay: From $26.38 per hour

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Work Location: In person