Service Navigator

**The Organization**

The Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre (ORCC) provides services and supports to people in Ottawa and its surrounding areas who have experienced sexual and/or gender-based violence. As a Service Navigator, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the evolution of the ORCC’s counselling team as a historic and survivor-centered not-for-profit organization. You will be joining an organization that continues to uphold and navigate best practices in service delivery for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

It is a time of excitement, innovation, and growth for the organization. You will be a vital part of the ORCC’s efforts to broaden its reach to those in need of our services throughout the city as the organization implements new strategies to better serve BIPOC folks, the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, newcomers, disabled individuals, the economically marginalized, and rural residents.

**ORCC’s Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion**

The ORCC is committed to operationalizing the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work. Every ORCC member will benefit from training and opportunities to make meaningful contributions in these areas. We invite people who embrace these values to join our team.

**Role Summary**

Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Service Navigator will serve as the initial point of contact for new ORCC clients and support those on ORCC’s waitlist. As part of this role, the Service Navigator will conduct initial screening and assessments, offer options for appropriate ORCC or community services and assist with referrals. The Service Navigator will support the management of the waitlist for ORCC’s counselling services and will utilize basic formal biopsychosocial intake assessment tools (i.e. risk assessment) for incoming clients and provide limited crisis intervention focused around de-escalation on an as-needed basis. The Service Navigator will be skilled in Motivational Interviewing and responsible for ongoing community resource knowledge. The Service Navigator collaborates extensively within the counselling team and larger community to overcome logístical barriers, increase care quality and support the improvement of care continuity.

As an essential member of the counselling team, the Service Navigator will collaborate to understand and implement a team approach in providing holistic, client-centered, trauma-informed care coordination to ORCC’s diverse clients.

**Overview of Role and Responsibilities**

The Service Navigator will be responsible for services in the following areas:

- Screening & Assessment_
- Provide initial contact to all new ORCC clients, establish rapport, conduct assessment interviews, assist in identifying needs and provide information about services
- Provide support and crisis intervention to clients on ORCC’s waitlist and new clients (1-2 sessions) on an as-needed basis
- Conduct therapeutic, trauma-informed risk assessment and safety planning
- Maintain complete client records in the ORCC electronic client records database in accordance with ORCC policies
- Service Navigation & Community Partnerships_
- Respond to inquires from clients, provide information and facilitate referrals to ORCC and broader community resources, partners, agency programs, other professionals, agencies, services, or community resources appropriate to clients' identified needs;
- Develop and strengthen relationships and partnerships with health and social service agencies in the Ottawa community and surrounding areas;
- Assist in the development and maintenance of a database on community supports, services and resources, as well as relevant organizations and agencies
- Ability to travel to community locations and attend community meetings, as required
- Team Support & Engagement_
- Participate actively in staff and counselling team meetings, and professional development activities;
- Contribute to ORCC’s culture by engaging in internal activities, sharing feedback, and bringing a problem-solving perspective.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting, sharing and receiving opinions and relevant client care support suggestions respectfully

**Qualifications**
- Education/Experience_
- A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a Social Service Worker Diploma; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- _**Must be a member in good standing**_ of the College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers of Ontario or College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
- Minimum of 2-3 years' experience working in a community setting in direct service, crisis intervention, case coordination, trauma, or mental health
- Experience working with racialized, colonized, oppressed, and/or marginalized communities
- Job-Related Knowledge_
- Demonstrated ability to utilize short-term counselling modalities such as motivational interviewing and solution-focused approaches; knowledge of the principles and pr