Anti-Human Trafficking Crisis Intervention Counsellor

Victim Services of York Region Inc.

ANTI HUMAN TRAFFICKING - CRISIS INTERVENTION COUNSELLOR

Victim Services of York Region (VSY) is a non-profit charitable agency that works in partnership with York Regional Police and the OPP (Aurora Detachment) to provide emotional support and practical assistance to persons victimized by crime or tragic circumstance. Victim Services of York Region is seeking a full-time Anti Human Trafficking - Crisis Intervention Counsellor to assist persons victimized by human trafficking, crime and tragic circumstance.

Reason for posting: Maternity Leave Coverage, two (2) year contract to March 2027

Salary: $73,000-$75,900 per annum

AI is not used in the screening or selection of candidates. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those under consideration for an interview will be contacted

The successful applicant will be required to work varying shifts in the evenings, mornings and weekends – 35 hours per week through a four day week of ten hour shifts: 7:00am-5:00pm or 11:00am to 9:00pm. There is also a rotating mandatory on-call component including a rotating weekend shift 8:00am-6:00pm. This schedule is subject to change with operational needs.

Office Administration

· Deliver VSY services in York Region in accordance with VSY's mandate, procedures and guidelines

· Work cooperatively in a team environment with the VSY Board of Directors, Executive Director, Staff, Police and Fire Services, Volunteers and Community Partner Organizations.

· Maintain strict client confidentiality, as per VSY's policy and procedure guidelines, including issues or concerns with: Victims/ Witnesses, Volunteers, Board and Staff, or Community Partners

· Maintain, document and keep statistical data on client records

· In consultation with the Team Leader, Program Manager, and the Executive Director, ensure current service delivery of VSY based on local needs and/or resources is being met

· Foster and maintain open communication with Team Leaders, the Anti HT Specialist, the Program Manager, the Human Resources Manager, and the Executive Director concerning all operations and risk management issues related to the VSY organization

-Chair CPAST meetings, write up minutes, maintain email list

-Assist HT Specialists with committee meetings (eg.: coordination, correspondence, minutes, set up)

Client Service Delivery

· Provide immediate, trauma informed, responses to victims of human trafficking, crime and/or tragic circumstance to stabilize their experience, provide practical assistance, and make relevant referrals and connections to long term supports available in the community

· Responsible for timely telephone follow up support for occurrences that are: attended in person by VSY staff, client self referrals, and referrals from police services to assist with safety planning and accessing resources

· Rotational back-up on-call responsibility for VSY's response line after office hours, to assess client needs and to dispatch volunteers as needed. This may require attendance on scene if volunteers and on-call overnight counsellors are unavailable to fulfill the on-call role or additional assistance at an on scene is required

· Assist, as needed, with on-call, overnight crisis intervention counsellors and any involved volunteers' direct service needs while on shift, including debriefs

· Responsible for telephone follow up of occurrences where a Victim Response Team has assisted to: ensure that the client's needs have been met; assess that appropriate referrals for longer-term assistance have been shared, and ensure on-call overnight counsellors and/or any attending volunteers have responded to the client in a sensitive, caring, respectful and appropriate manner.

· Ongoing, time sensitive, responsibility for telephone follow-up, office appointments, and on-scene requests for service providing clinical support including, but not limited to: intake, needs assessment, safety planning, practical assistance, and appropriate referrals.

· The successful candidate will provide clinical support to existing and new HT client files, as well as other types of client files while working closely with the Anti Human Trafficking Specialist to further develop the role of HT Counsellor through training opportunities, committees, and community partner outreach events

· Ensure clients have been assessed for and receive internal support programs when needed and eligible, for example: High Risk Program, Project ANGEL, and/or Victim Quick Response Program (VQRP)

· Assess clients for suitability for holiday sponsorship programs

· Other duties as assigned

Training & Outreach:

· Liaising with local programs, police service agencies, community partner organizations and the broader community when required, to promote the VSY program, exchange information and establish and maintain cooperative alliances.

· Educate Police Officers, Fire Service and Emergency Services personnel in the appropriate use of the VSY program

· Participate in municipal, and or regional disaster/emergency response training opportunities

· Actively involved in volunteer training through the preparation and presentation of area of expertise to volunteer candidates

-Assist with VSY funding initiatives, including attending charitable bingo operations in rotation with all staff

Qualifications

· The successful candidate will possess, at a minimum, an undergraduate degree in social work, or addiction and community health, and/or a Master's degree in counselling psychology. Candidates with a diploma in social service work plus lived experience will be considered

· The candidate will have experience in dealing with persons victimized by crime such as; domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, traffic and fire fatalities, suicide, sudden death, and homicide

· The ideal candidate will have strong organizational abilities, the ability to take initiative, will be comfortable working autonomously and as part of a team, and excels in interpersonal skills, including participating in regular performance feedback meetings

· Sound, trauma informed knowledge of crisis intervention and victim issues

· Experience with writing client report notes, knowledge of services and remedies available to clients

· Experienced with Microsoft Office programs such as: WORD, EXCEL. Experience with PARALUCENT or other electronic record tracking software.

· The candidate must work, in person, at the VSY office, as well as attend on-scenes in person

· The successful candidate will be flexible to potentially work occasional evenings and weekend, as well as have the ability to travel throughout the York Region with short notice

· The successful candidate must have a valid G license and regular access to a reliable vehicle

· In keeping with our ongoing efforts to promote equity and reflect the diversity of York Region, those having a second language are strongly encouraged to apply

VSY provides equal employment opportunities for all individuals regardless of age, sex, disability, race, ethnic origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, marital status or any other ground as described in the Ontario Human Rights Code. In keeping with our ongoing efforts to represent the diversity of our community, we encourage Women of Colour, Indigenous, Asian, Immigrant, Lesbian, Women with Disabilities, Francophone and women from other diverse groups to apply.

Job Type: Fixed term contract

Contract length: 24 months

Pay: $73,000.00-$75,900.00 per year

Benefits:

• Mileage reimbursement
• On-site gym
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person