Outreach Counsellor

Posted:January 16, 2026

Closes: January 30, 2026

Posting #: 1135

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL POSTING

OUTREACH COUNSELLOR

FULL-TIME, CONTRACT ENDING JUNE 5, 2026

CUPE Local 3521

OFFICE LOCATION: Stevenson Hall (216 Simcoe Street, Peterborough)

START DATE: ASAP

WAGE RANGE: $ $32.64 /hr (includes pay equity adjustments to March 2025)

HOURS: Full-Time, Contract

CONTRACT ENDING: June 5, 2026, with a possibility of extension

POSITION PURPOSE:

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton provides safe shelter, resources and support to help women escape gender-based violence, build upon their existing strengths, and move forward in their lives. With the help of our community, we're interrupting the cycle of gender-based violence and creating a safer, more equitable future for all.

As a member of YWCA Canada, we are part of a global movement dedicated to ending gender-based violence in all its forms.

We are committed to engaging with all women and children in a manner experienced as allyship. We see women and children as their most vulnerable moments; thus we are in a position to offer an experience of trust , respect, and genuine care that has the potential to provide a key step towards healing. We take this responsibility seriously. Out work is rooted in principles of intersectional feminism and anti-oppression/anti-racism, is trauma and violence-informed, person-centered and focused on harm reduction. We intent to be as low-barrier as possible and responsive to women and their families in whatever ways they need us to be. We aim to lift each other, and other women, up.

Our hope, grounded in our shared passion and intentional approaches, make for a powerful force against gender-based violence.

YWCA-PH includes all women-identified people in our use and understanding of "woman" and "women" regardless of the sex they were assigned at birth.

POSITION PURPOSE:

To provide safe, secure, confidential crisis support and counselling services to abused women and their children in Haliburton and Peterborough Counties. To empower women and their children, working within the YWCA philosophy and policy guidelines.

This position works in close collaboration with many community partners at part of the Week Without Violence Committee, START, and with Children's Aid Society as part of the Differential Response initiative.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide telephone and/or face-to-face crisis support counselling to women and children, responding to requests as needed.
• Assist women to take practical steps to address self-identified priorities by providing information and referrals. Provide services and follow-up support to abused women in agreed-upon locations (i.e., WSN office, court house, etc.).
• Conduct Danger Assessment, assess for immediate danger and independent living skills, and create a safety plan to access services as appropriate (i.e., counselling, shelter, SafeSpace).
• Provide telephone and one-to-one supportive counselling techniques.
• At intake, complete all required documentation, and ensure a safety plan is created to meet the woman's changed circumstances.
• Ensure that client confidentiality is maintained and that record keeping / files are documented according to agency procedure.
• Advocate for women by accompanying them to court, police detachments, lawyer and doctor appointments, social service agencies, etc.
• Promote awareness of women abuse issues through advocacy and education initiatives in Peterborough and Haliburton counties.
• Provides workshops, public education and training to community organizations as requested. Represent the YWCA on community committees or steering groups with approval from the supervisor and Director.
• Design and implement regular support groups for women, with an evaluation component.
• Perform a variety of related administrative tasks, such as statistical record keeping for organizational planning purposes, report preparation and petty cash.
• Attend staff meetings, training events, and YWCA organizational meetings as requested.
• Attend program staff meetings and YWCA organizational meetings as required. Participate in program planning, evaluation and implementation of program review recommendations, according to the YWCA short-and long-term strategic plan.
• Assist in training students or volunteers to ensure the work is carried out within YWCA policies.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Completed relevant post-secondary education and three years of experience in the social service field.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work with women and their families using agency-approved methodology techniques.
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding, and ability to respond appropriately to women and their children as they deal with: the short- and long-term effects of surviving trauma; surviving in an abusive situation; and the impact of leaving an abusive situation from a client-centered perspective.
• Knowledge of, and proven ability to use, crisis prevention and intervention skills in order to diffuse and prevent crisis situations.
• Incorporate knowledge and understanding of the impact of marginalization on women. Women may be marginalized by: living in a rural and/or isolated location; housing/homelessness; poverty; physical and mental health status; use of legal/illegal substances; differing ability/disability; language; culture; religion; education; employment; source of income; socio-economic status; literacy and numeracy skills; and so forth.
• Demonstrated ability to be self-reflective and self-aware in the role of Outreach Counsellor to develop effective working relationships with abused women and their children.
• Demonstrated awareness of the personal impact o VAW work, and create and use a personal well-being plan in order to handle with the impact of the work.
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to professional standards in all facets of VAW work; with clients; with co-workers; and with the public.
• Demonstrated knowledge, commitment and ability to create a healthy workplace environment for clients / residents and co-workers.
• Demonstrated knowledge, commitment and ability to incorporate anti-oppression and anti-racist understanding into daily practice.
• Demonstrated ability to incorporate training and professional development into day-to-day work.
• Understand and work within the parameters of YWCA VAW program and YWCA policies.
• Demonstrated skill in facilitating support groups.
• Knowledge of local and urban resources and how to access them.
• Proven ability / experience with developing short and long-term individual goals, objectives and program plans.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work alone and in a team.
• Proficient computer skills in WISH, Microsoft Office (reports, stats, letters, etc.) mobile devices and other software is an asset.
• Clear CPIC with vulnerable sector screening required
• The YWCA Vaccination Policy requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Valid exemptions pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton has an exemption to hire women or those identifying as women only.

Please submit resume and cover letter in one PDF file by 4:00pm on January 30, 2026 by visiting our Career Centre:
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Career Centre

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton actively encourages applicants from all women-identified individuals from all equity deserving groups. YWCA Peterborough Haliburton embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to attract, develop, and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. We thank all applicants and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

In accordance with Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance to Human Resources at .

---