Relief Shelter Trauma Counselor

Women's Habitat of Etobicoke

Job Posting

Relief Shelter Trauma Counselor

(Part-Time, Casual, Varied Hours)

AGENCY SUMMARY

Women's Habitat of Etobicoke (WHE) is a feminist, multi-service, community-based organization in South Etobicoke, serving all 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

Reporting to the Manager of Residential Services, the Relief Shelter Trauma Counselor uses a feminist based, trauma-informed, anti-racist/anti-oppression and harm reduction lens in all aspects of intake and assessment, goal planning and case management including offering short-term counseling for our emergency anti-violence against women shelter. The primary responsibility of the Relief Shelter Trauma Counselor is to provide crisis prevention and intervention, one to one counseling, advocacy, referrals and support to residents. Relief Shelter Trauma Counselors are required to fill shifts when permanent staff are absent. The schedule varies and includes day, afternoon, evening, overnight, weekday, weekend shifts and statutory holiday shifts.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Trauma-Informed Intake and Assessment

• Conduct intake procedures, inform residents of WHE services and programs
• Perform risk audit to assist residents to identify areas of risk and develop a documented safety plan
• Support new residents to complete intake assessments to assess their basic needs
• Conduct housing readiness assessment and determine supports needed
• Provide crisis counselling and support to residents who have experienced trauma
• Answer 24/7 crisis line and provide trauma-informed crisis counselling and support by phone.
• Assess crisis calls to determine if the individual seeking shelter meets our mandate

Trauma-Informed Goal Planning and Case Management

• Collaborate with the residents to develop goal plans and activities
• Provide trauma-informed crisis and ongoing individual counselling according to our Length of Service policy
• Engage in harm reduction principles (collaboration, choice, resource/information sharing, safety, empowerment, non-judgmental, acceptance, minimize harm, community involvement, flexibility, etc.)
• Address the impact of systemic barriers on the resident's life

Referrals and Systems Navigation

• Provide support regarding systems navigation to residents to access needed and critical resources
• Arrange and work with cultural interpreters as appropriate.
• Assist residents to develop awareness of internal/external referral options
• Collaborate with colleagues to refer residents to other counselors, support workers or other organizations as additional needs are identified

Monitoring and Follow-Up

• Track case management and evaluate progress
• Seek ongoing resident feedback to ensure residents' needs are being met and goal plans remain relevant
• Provide check-ins with the resident
• Monitor progress of goal plans
• Provide ongoing support and follow-up to ensure their safety and well-being over time.

Group Programming

• Develop and design group programming, as required
• Facilitate group workshops and one on one sessions to educate on topics
• Organize other special groups/events that are of interest to resident population or based on feedback identified by residents

Community Engagement and Advocacy

• Act as an advocate if necessary/appropriate
• Act as a resource for groups and individuals from the community requesting information or assistance in the area of gender-based violence
• Participate in speaking engagements on the topic of gender-based violence and the services provided by WHE
• Represent WHE in the community on task forces and on working groups, as assigned by the Manager, the Executive Director or designate
• Liaise with colleagues in other Shelters to refer residents
• Liaise and maintain positive working relationships with service providers, other shelters, mental health agencies, other community agencies, etc.
• Represent WHE in all communications with residents, other community services and the general public that aligns with our mission, vision and values
• Participate in community meetings and events, as well as training and workshops where applicable.

Administration and Planning

• Set goals and objectives with the Manager
• Keep the Manager apprised of service delivery and issues.
• Develop and implement shelter related programs and its components
• Maintain up-to-date selection of resource materials
• Participate in supervision, staff and case management meetings as scheduled
• Responsible for the supervision of students and volunteers when necessary
• Complete an annual self-evaluation form
• Maintain and protect the confidentiality of resident information and maintain confidential case records as appropriate ensuring all documentation is stored in the database
• Participate in training and workshops where applicable.
• Responsible for other duties as assigned

Data Collection, Reporting and Evaluation

• Complete "Days End" procedure and responsibilities (overnight shifts only)
• Log into external portal to update available shelter bed space (overnight shifts only)
• Document and collect data and maintain up to date record keeping (per WHE documentation policies and using the internal database) that includes each stage of engagement
• Report on case management and client goal progress
• Conduct evaluations to measure the effectiveness and impact of our services throughout each stage of engagement
• Conduct annual evaluation to assess overall program outcomes and measure against annual targets
• Participate in requested feedback for shelter related programming

Discharge/Closure

• Complete resident departure form to:
• Update, store and close relevant resident information in the database

SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

• A Degree in Social Work or diploma in Social Services or related field from recognized post-secondary institutions
• A minimum of 1 year experience in trauma-informed crisis counselling, including group work.
• A minimum of 1 year experience working with women and children who are impacted by gender-based violence, with demonstrated knowledge of the issues of gender-based violence
• VAW (Violence Against Women) Shelter experience is an asset
• Experience working in a harm reduction model would be an asset.
• Working knowledge of income security programs such as Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program, etc.
• Working knowledge and experience of completing and submitting housing applications including knowledge of Special Priority Program and other programs
• Demonstrated ability to develop safety plans for women and their dependents who have experienced gender-based violence
• A critical understanding of trauma-informed, harm reduction, feminist, anti-oppression, anti- racist principles and frameworks and the demonstrated ability to incorporate them in all aspects of their work.
• Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act Ontario, Child Protection Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, etc.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, including resources for individuals with precarious immigration status, relevant legislation and social justice issues.
• Demonstrated knowledge of various systems impacting or intersecting with the lives of residents who have experience violence (eg. legal, child protection, immigration)
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of the intersections of violence, trauma, mental health and addiction
• Knowledge of and application the intersections of colonialism, oppression and marginalization and experiences of trauma.
• Ability to assess a situation quickly and take appropriate action that will ensure the safety of all residents.
• Extensive and applied knowledge of crisis management including, crisis prevention, intervention and problem solving that supports resident and colleague safety and promotes overall health and safety
• Maintain the confidentiality and security of resident-related and Agency information.
• Demonstrated ability to support women and children with a positive, calm and collaborative approach
• Ability to respect and promote an inclusive work environment to uphold the Culture of Wellness
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries at all times.
• Ability to work equitably and collaboratively with cultural, racial, economic and socially diverse communities.
• Be a dedicated and flexible team player, able to interact with team members and colleagues at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite, Internet search and navigating database systems.
• A Trauma Awareness/Trauma Informed Practice Certificate is an asset
• Vulnerable Sector Check and valid First Aid CPR AED Certification is required.
• Must be able to work regular evening, overnight and/or weekend shifts.
• Ability to perform harm reduction supports are required for this position and may include but are not limited to: administration of Naloxone.

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

Hourly Wage: starting at $20.68/hour + 4% vacation + 6% in lieu of benefits increasing to $21.42/hr after 250 hours worked.

Accommodation: Should you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment and selection process we will be happy to accommodate as best we can. Please let us know by emailing: -

Job Type: Casual

Pay: From $20.68 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person