Counsellor-1year Contract

Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) of Halton, a non-profit organization, provides free, confidential, and nonjudgmental 24-hour support to all survivors of violence. SAVIS advocates against violence in the community at large and promotes prevention through community education.

**JOB SUMMARY**

Working under the general supervision of the Manager of Counselling Services, the Counsellor works directly with individuals in the Halton Region. This position provides support to Two-Sprit, women, men, trans, non-binary and gender diverse individuals to locate and access appropriate resources within the community and participate in community initiatives that address the needs of survivors of violence.

The individual in this position will bring strong interpersonal, conflict resolution and relationship-building skills, knowledge in providing direct and indirect services to survivors of gender-based violence, sexual assault and exploitation, and violence. Services may include advocacy, referrals, crisis intervention, and supportive counselling.

This position will also be responsible for delivering quality educational, social, and informative workshops to community agencies and closed groups, upholding the values of anti-racism, anti-oppression, and working from harm-reduction and trauma-informed approaches.

**DUTIES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES**

**COUNSELING (70%)**
- Provide one-on-one client support, case management and trauma-informed counselling, and act as an advocate with emphasis on developing appropriate resources and connections to community supports and services.
- Provide effective short-term, solution-focused, supportive counselling, and conflict mediation and de-escalation skills.
- Possess a solid understanding of the Gender-Based Violence Sector, Rent-Geared-to-Income Special Priority Program, Victim Impact Statements, Child Protection legislation, Legal system and the systemic and political barriers facing individuals experiencing violence.
- Demonstrate competency in the issues of gender-based violence, sexual assault, historic childhood sexual abuse and/or other forms of sexual violence and individuals who have faced systemic barriers.
- Provides individual and group counselling care, including (but not limited to) crisis management, counselling, education/employment/skills development and connection to community-based resources for clients.
- Demonstrated knowledge, skills, training and experience with providing services to clients with single or polysubstance use, using a harm-reduction approach.

**GROUP FACILITATION (15%)**
- Partner with community agencies to facilitate groups and promote awareness of gender-based violence.
- When needed, provide one-to-one crisis intervention, counselling, and referrals to individuals within the program.
- Provide interactive supportive counselling programming to closed groups to build resilience, increase self-esteem, and decrease isolation for each member.
- Under the direction of the Manager of Counselling Services, identify and participate in community committees, networks and initiatives that address systemic issues related to community violence.

**QUALIFICATIONS**
- Completion of a University Degree or College Diploma in Social Services/Social Work /Gender Studies or other relevant fields.
- A minimum three years’ experience working in a counselling capacity with Two-Sprit, women, men, trans, non
- binary and gender diverse individuals and children who have experienced sexual abuse and/or violence in relationships.
- Experience and training in working from an anti-racism/anti-oppression framework, Trauma-Informed care, mental health recovery model.
- Knowledge of the impact of systemic marginalization on survivors of sexual assault and violence including sexism, racism, poverty, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism.
- Demonstrate understanding of the social determinants of health and knowledge of accessing and referring clients to appropriate community resources and services.
- Participate in developing, implementing, and reviewing program work plans and delivery models.
- Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, Access, etc.).

**The hours of work **are 35 hours a week Monday to Friday, but may vary as needed (this may include evenings and weekends). This position works primarily at the SAVIS office.

**PLEASE QUOTE ‘CONTRACT FULL-TIME’ IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR EMAIL**

SAVIS of Halton promotes the principles of anti-racism and anti-oppression, and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario

Human Rights Code. SAVIS of Halton is committed to inclusion and equity principles; we encourage all Two-Spirit, women, gender diverse, trans and non-binary individuals to apply, including racialized, Indigenous individuals, and individuals with disabilities to apply. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation.

SAVIS is committed to a staff team that reflects the diversity within the comm