Shelter Trauma Counselor

Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke
Shelter Trauma Counselor
Permanent, Part-Time, 4 week rotation

**Hours**
Schedule for 3 weeks out of 4 weeks (37.5 hours)
Sunday - 2pm-10pm
Monday - 2pm-10pm
Thursday - 10am-6pm
Friday - 2pm-10pm
Saturday - 2pm-10pm

Schedule for 4th week out of 4 weeks (32 hours)
Sunday - 2pm-10pm
Monday - 2pm-10pm
Thursday - 10am-6pm
Friday - 2pm-10pm
Saturday - 2pm-10pm

Women’s Habitat is unionized through CUPE Local 3877 and this position is within the bargaining unit.

REPORTS TO: Manager of Programs and Client Services

AGENCY SUMMARY
Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke (WHE) is a feminist, multi-service, community-based organization in South Etobicoke, serving diverse women and their dependents experiencing violence and poverty since 1978. In 2006, WHE opened an outreach centre to respond to the increasing needs for services for victims and survivors of domestic violence.

WHE offers transformational services and programs in two distinct locations to address the impact of violence and poverty on women and their dependents which includes, safety audits, safety planning, trauma-informed crisis and ongoing counseling services, housing support services, advocacy and referrals to settlement and community resources, as well as skills and capacity building for promoting healthy relationships and prevention of gender-based violence.

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking to fill one (1) Counselor position for our emergency anti-violence against women shelter. The primary responsibility of the Shelter Trauma Counselor is to practice from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, trauma-informed approach in working with shelter residents including, intake and assessment, case management, one to one counselling, advocacy, referrals and support to residents.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
**Trauma-Informed Intake and Assessment**
- Conduct risk audits and on-going safety planning using a trauma-informed approach
- Using a trauma-informed approach provide crisis counselling and support to residents who have experienced trauma
- Conduct residents’ intake procedures.
- Answer 24/7 crisis line and provide trauma-informed crisis counselling and support by phone. - Conduct resident needs assessments

**Trauma-Informed Case Management and Ongoing Service**
- Supports residents’ goal planning
- Provide support and assistance to residents throughout their stay at the shelter.
- Provide information on and referrals to a variety of resources (legal, housing, education, health, child support, etc.)
- Plan, execute and evaluation group facilitation (groups on life skills, self-esteem building, sustainable livelihoods, etc.)

**Administration and Planning**
- Set program goals and objectives in conjunction with the Shelter Manager
- Maintain appropriate records and statistical information including internal database.
- Maintain up to date resident records including relevant case histories, interventions, and daily program activity reports.
- At all times, maintain and protect the confidentiality of resident information.
- Attends internal and external meetings as required.
- Participate in internal committees as required.

CORE COMPETENCIES:
Each employee will adhere to, and reflect in all areas of their work, the policies, procedures, mission, vision and values of Women’s Habitat. Therefore, each employee will have the following competencies:
1. Ensure that the Health and Safety guidelines are followed in accordance with the policies and procedures of the agency.

2. Ensure appropriate notification of child abuse as required by the Child and Family Services Act.

3. Adhere to and abide by Women’s Habitat’s harm reduction philosophy.

4. Ability to conduct trauma-informed work when dealing with agency clients.

5. Understand and adhere to the Ontario Human Rights Code at all times and in all aspects of your work.

6. Understand and implement anti-oppression and equity principles in all aspects of your work.

7. Ability to respond to a crisis in ways appropriate to your role at Women’s Habitat.

8. Demonstrate willingness and the necessary skills to attend to conflict and tension with colleagues and non-client stakeholders.

9. Engage in constructive communication with peers, staff, clients, volunteers and other stakeholders, share information in an appropriate and timely manner and adhere to the agency’s confidentiality agreement.

10. Ability to critically examine how you carry out your role and takes responsibility for the impact of your behaviours on others.

11. Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning in order to ensure the delivery of high quality service.

12. Has the ability to work collaboratively as part of an effective team to best meet the evolving needs of clients and advocate on their behalf.

13. Build strong working relationships and communication with colleagues, the management team and other stakeholders to ensure optimal efficiency and fulfillment of Women’s Habitat’s mandate.

14. Ensure timely, acc