Optimism Place Women's Shelter and Support Services is an organization that provides emergency shelter, counselling, advocacy, and support for women and their children fleeing domestic violence in Perth County.
Region: Huron and Perth
Position: Frontline Counsellor
Description: The Frontline Counsellor is responsible for the delivery of 24/7 confidential, non-judgmental immediate, and initial responses to women experiencing violence, including answering the crisis line, responding to walk-in clients, and engaging with women and children residing in the secure shelter. Individuals connecting with counsellors could include survivors of gender-based violence, sexual assault, workplace harassment, homelessness, addiction, and mental health. Acts as an ambassador and role model for the agency at all times.
Information/Benefits: Full Time (70 hours per pay period) continuing position Salary range, $24.00-$26.44 per hour Paid lunches and breaks Accrual of 2 weeks of vacation to start, increasing throughout employment up to 6 weeks, calculated from organizational start date Requirements: Able and willing to work day, afternoon, and night shifts, any day of the week; shifts will typically be 10 hours, scheduled 3 shifts one week and 4 shifts the other week Potentially work alone in a safe environment with the possibility of encountering high-risk situations Complete CPR/First Aid training upon hire Provide a valid and recent vulnerable sector check Eligibility to participate in health and dental benefits program and RRSP contribution plan Reports to the Residential Manager Have a positive impact on the lives of women and their children Work with like-minded individuals in an anti-oppressive, feminist framework Qualifications: A college diploma from a registered institution in a Social Service Worker or comparable program. A Bachelor of Social Work or Bachelor of Arts in Social Work would be an asset. A minimum of six (6) months of related experience in the field of violence against women services, sexual assault services, or residential services. Volunteer or placement student experience is welcomed. Operates from a trauma-informed perspective.
Demonstrated knowledge or skills in the following areas:
De-escalation and crisis response Individualized engagement and assessment of clients Risk assessment and safety planning Individual and group counselling Housing-focused case planning Goal setting and case management Problem-solving Mediation Advocacy Recovery orientation Non-judgemental and active listening skills Trauma-informed approach Understanding of housing and homelessness tools and systems is an asset A language in addition to English would be considered an asset Demonstrated commitment to the women's anti-violence movement. Continued commitment to ongoing education and professional development, keeping up with current trends and research in the Violence Against Women field and its intersection with homelessness, harm reduction, and mental health. Proven ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, including the ability to generate professional documentation (note-taking, preparing letters, and reports). Understanding and welcoming of diversity. Computer literacy in various applications (e-mail, word processing). Ability to operate with independence and as part of a team.
Salary: $24.00-$26.44
Terms of Employment: Full-Time
Deadline for Application: Tuesday, December 31, 2024
How to Apply: Interested candidates are asked to send their resume to Hannah Skinner, Residential Manager, at with the subject line, "Frontline Counsellor".
Optimism Place is committed to equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates including women, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and Indigenous persons, individuals of diverse gender and sexual orientation and all groups protected by the Human Rights Code. In alignment with its commitment to equity, Optimism Place values diversity and provides a positive and supportive environment. Optimism Place offers reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities to participate in the recruitment process. If you are contacted regarding this opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation. While we appreciate all interest in our positions, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Location: Stratford
Profession Type: Social Services (Social Workers, Counsellors)
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