Crisis Counsellor

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL POSTING

Job Title**:Crisis Counsellor**

Status**:Full-time indeterminate**

Hours**:35 hours/week**

Benefits**:4 weeks of vacation leave, Personal leave, Cost-share insurance and health coverage, HOOPP pension**

Salary**:$49,554 annually**

Language**:Bilingualism (English/French) and other languages an asset**

Application Deadline**:March 12, 11:59 p.m.**

Bringing care and community together since 1986. Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre connects children, youth, parents, adults and seniors with services and resources in Ottawa west. We are committed to supporting our diverse communities in far west Ottawa by providing and coordinating accessible health and social services. Our work is guided by our four core beliefs: _empowerment_, _equity_, _partnership_ and _innovation_ and demonstrated through our day-to-day interactions with clients, partners, volunteers, members and staff.

Working at WOCRC means working within our Guiding Beliefs and making a difference to our community. As our employees support the community, WOCRC supports and values its employees by offering a generous wellness package including vacation leave, personal leave, insurance and health coverage, HOOPP enrolment, and maternity leave top-up for full-time indeterminate employees.

**Position Summary**

Under the supervision of the Manager, the Crisis Counsellor provides crisis and brief intervention services, information, assessment and referral to clients of the WOCRC.

**Principal Duties and Responsibilities**

**Provide Direct Service**:

- Provide initial contact to all new clients of the WOCRC, establish rapport, assist in identifying needs and provide information about services;
- Provide crisis intervention services through telephone contacts and on a walk-in basis;
- Provide brief intervention counselling;
- Provide short term counselling using evidence based techniques;
- Connect clients with appropriate internal and community resources.

**Advocate on behalf of clients**:

- Participate in advocacy and coordination committees about services available, gaps in services, and issues affecting individuals, couples and families;
- Promote participation of clients and community in general, in activities designed to educate and/or advocate for prevention.

**Participate in community education concerning social issues and services**:

- Act as a consultant to colleagues, agencies and the community regarding crisis services in the Ottawa area;
- Respond to community requests for information;
- Present to community groups.

**Ensure coordination of policy and service**:

- Participate as a direct intervention team member at internal and external meetings;
- Advocate for coordinated planning of services;
- Establish and maintain links with community groups and agencies to facilitate referrals and positive working relationships;
- Coordinate inter-agency referrals.

**Knowledge, Experience and Skills**
- Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent in education and training;
- Two-year pertinent experience in direct service, crisis intervention and brief therapy;
- Obtain and maintain membership in CRPO or the college of Social Workers;
- Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of community-based model of intervention and health equity principles;
- Knowledge of the _Child and Family Services Act_;
- Knowledge of the _Mental Health Act_:

- Knowledge of social services delivery in Ottawa;
- Excellent assessment skills;
- Strong organizational and communication skills;
- Strong public speaking and popular education skills;
- Demonstrated commitment to an anti-racist/anti-oppression principles;
- Ability to work in a team environment.

Address cover letters to:
People Services Manager

Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre

2 MacNeil Court

Kanata, ON K2L 4H7
- WOCRC has an accommodation process in place that provides accommodations for employees with disabilities. If you require a specific accommodation because of a disability or a medical need, please do not hesitate to let us know how we can best accommodate you._
- We thank all applicants for their interest in this employment opportunity. Please note however that, due to the volume of résumés received, only those applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted._

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: $49,554.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Evening shift
- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Kanata, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

**Education**:

- Master's Degree (preferred)

Work Location: One location