par counsellor – full time

INTERNAL/ EXTERNAL JOB POSTING: PAR COUNSELLOR – FULL TIME

Hours of Work: 35 hours/ week, Full-time Permanent

Hourly Wage: $31.29 Plus Benefits as per the CA

Reports to: Program Manager

Vacancy Status: Existing

Classification: Counsellor (Bargaining member position)

Location: On- Site at office in Toronto, ON,

About Us

Elizabeth Fry Toronto delivers gender-based, trauma-informed services and advocates for justice and equity for criminalized women, Trans, non-binary, and Two Spirit people, as well as their families. We envision communities where women and gender-diverse people are not criminalized. Our work is grounded in an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, intersectional feminist, abolitionist framework and guided by our values of Compassion, Equity & Inclusion, Excellence, and Accountability. We support the empowerment and well-being of criminalized individuals through responsive, client-centered programs that address the complex and systemic barriers they face. Our services are rooted in trauma-informed and harm reduction practices, assisting people at various stages of involvement in the criminal justice system.

We are Currently hiring a PAR Counsellor -Full Time to provide group and individual counselling to women involved in the criminal justice system. This role focuses on trauma-informed, harm reduction-based care and requires in-person / Virtual service delivery.

The Partner Assault Response (PAR) is a 12-week group program offering information, education, and support to women charged in domestic violence situations. This court-mandated initiative provides specialized, community-based counselling and psycho-educational group support focused on abuse and emotional management. Reporting to the Program Manager, this role requires flexibility to deliver both virtual and in-person services, including sole facilitation of groups. Working within the mandated protocols you will be required to provide the following:

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counselling to PAR clients, including crisis intervention when required
• Facilitate and co-facilitate psycho-educational workshops and support groups
• Conduct client intakes, eligibility assessments, and mid/post-program evaluations
• Complete risk assessments and develop safety plans based on individual client needs
• Track and monitor client progress throughout the program
• Advocate on behalf of clients and assist with navigating systemic barriers
• Provide clients with relevant information, resources, referrals, and ongoing support
• Maintain accurate, timely case notes and update client files at every point of contact in to the data management system.
• Liaise with referral agencies, courts, and community partners as needed
• Write court-mandated progress and completion reports for group participants
• Document group activities and client interactions in agency data systems
• Submit monthly program statistics and maintain program documentation.
• Submit reports as per the defined format on or before the due date to comply with program requirements.
• Coordinate all aspects of group sessions, including scheduling, space, and logistics
• Attend team and agency meetings; contribute to program evaluations and planning
• Support new staff, students, and volunteers as and when require.
• Respond to telephone and in-person inquiries and communicate program information
• Maintain confidentiality and security of all client and agency-related information
• Ensure compliance with agency policies, procedures, and health and safety standards
• Participate in ongoing professional development and internal/external committees.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Education: Degree or diploma in Social Work, Community/Social Services, Psychology, Criminology, or a related field, or a combination of education and experience.
• Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of counselling and facilitation experience, preferably working with women from diverse ethno-cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, including transgender and LGBTQ2+ communities. Experience working with justice-involved women and marginalized groups is an asset.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of the criminal justice system, especially as it relates to women; trauma from feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppression perspectives; and restorative justice principles.
• Commitment: Demonstrated use of trauma-informed, feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppression, and harm reduction practices.
• Skills: Strong facilitation and client engagement skills, case documentation and management, crisis intervention, problem solving, and decision-making using appropriate communication channels.
• Technical: Proficient in updating client information systems, Microsoft 365 suite, and virtual platforms.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal, relationship management, oral and written communication, and organizational skills.
• Availability: Ability to work independently and collaboratively in both virtual and in-person settings, including court-based and community locations in Toronto.
• Languages: Bilingual in French or other languages is an asset.
• Travel: Ability to travel occasionally between offices and community locations as required.

Working Conditions

• Primary work location will be in person at the office located at 658 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON. This may change based on program needs.
• Limited travel between offices and community location may be required.
• Some evening or weekend hours may be required to serve clients who are unable to attend group / Counselling sessions during regular working hours.

How to Apply

Please send your cover letter and resume in ONE document to Applicants must list PAR Counsellor - Full time in the subject line of the email.

We appreciate all applications, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

AI Disclosure:

We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants at any stage of the hiring process.

Diversity Statement

Elizabeth Fry Toronto is committed to equity and inclusion and encourages applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled, and other equity-deserving communities. We recognize the importance of lived experience in the criminal justice system and value applications from those with relevant personal insight. We are committed to creating a respectful, barrier-free hiring process. If you require accommodation during any stage of the hiring process, please let us know.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $31.29 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Paid time off

Application question(s):

• Do you have Experience in Group Facilitation ? if yes for how many years?
• Do you have experience in individual counselling? if yes for how many years?

Work Location: In person