Part-Time Shelter Support Worker – Trauma Counsellor (YWCA Toronto)

YWCA Toronto is an association of diverse and caring women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls through dynamic leadership, advocacy and a range of unique and essential services that promote personal growth and economic independence. 
 
Part-Time Shelter Support Worker – Trauma Counsellor
YWCA Arise
 
JOB ID: ARIS0161
 
YWCA Arise is a twenty-four hour staffed emergency shelter that proves safe refuge, crisis counselling, and specialized support to abused women and their children who are fleeing violence.
 
The Shelter Support Worker – Trauma Counsellor works in conjunction with women and children to establish a plan which will facilitate a safe and effective path to independence.  The Shelter Support Worker – Trauma Counsellor is responsible for providing a full range of services which includes crisis counselling and the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops and programs that address the dynamics of woman abuse and trauma.   
 
Reporting to the Manager of YWCA Arise, the Part-Time Shelter Support Worker – Trauma Counsellor’s responsibilities include the following:

• acts as a resource to staff and clients in the area of trauma and the dynamics of woman abuse;
• interviews, conducts preliminary assessments and identifies clients’ needs in the areas of trauma support and  woman abuse;
• develops safety plans with clients;
• provides information and referrals as required; liaises with professionals and agencies in the community to facilitate the access to services as required by the clients;
• researches, creates and obtains material to address the needs of clients;
  • provides initial crisis intervention and counselling for women and their children;
  • works with the women individually and/or in groups to develop improved social and living skills by assisting them to: set goals, follow through on plans, discuss alternatives and make choices and decisions;
  • provides crisis counselling to residents by telephone or in-person;
  • uses mediation and counselling skills to maintain a co-operative, supportive and productive house environment

• conducts weekly residents meetings;
• develops, implements and evaluates workshops and groups that address clients’ trauma and woman abuse issues and collaborates with other YWCA programs in these areas;

• maintains, records and  compiles program statistics; prepares reports and correspondence;
• ensures that residents understand house procedures, rules and responsibilities;
• attends regular staff meetings, staff training sessions and case meetings as required;
• ensures that workshop and program notes are accessible on designated shelter software;
• completes social assistance forms and liaises with the designated social assistance worker as necessary;

• ensures that the Health and Safety Guidelines are followed in accordance with the policies and procedures of YWCA Toronto;
• wears appropriate safety equipment when carrying out responsibilities;
• ensures appropriate notification of child abuse as required by the Child and Family Services Act;
• participates in case conferences and acts as an advocate on behalf of the resident;
• provides daily support services to residents (e.g. weekly allowance, bus tickets/taxi vouchers, first aid, long-distance calls and assists with completion of forms and statements).  

You will have:

• In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of a clinically supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW);
• 1 to 3 years’ experience in counselling and group work with clients at risk with demonstrated ability to work under pressure;
• a certificate in trauma response would be an asset;
• in depth knowledge of the dynamics of woman abuse and trauma required;
• demonstrated experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of workshops and groups ;
• counselling approach that is flexible, de-escalates tension, teaches conflict resolution and is focused on success;
• ability to deliver culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment;
• ability to work with an anti-oppression and feminist framework;
• knowledge and understanding of mental health issues, advocacy, employment, child development and parenting, children’s programming and/or substance abuse issues would be an asset;
• ability to handle crisis situations effectively both in person and by telephone;
• strong interpersonal skills;
• excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• proficiency in Microsoft Word, e-mail and the internet;
• ability to maintain a positive approach and a professional manner at all times;
• knowledge of a second language an asset. 

Core Competencies: The employee is expected to:

• Engage in a self-reflective and collaborative practice that is non-judgmental and compassionate and reflects the mission of YWCA Toronto;

• incorporate principles of anti-oppression and equity in responding to the service needs of women and children and work toward removing systemic barriers to independence and wellbeing;

• demonstrate respect, consideration and acceptance of the opinions of others while expressing her own expertise and effectively utilizing relevant resources and specialists;

• consistently collaborate with team members, sharing ideas and differences openly;

• be receptive to new ideas and adapt to change as necessary;

• value the contribution of others and take action to strengthen partnerships and support others to achieve effective outcomes;

• take action to avoid or solve problems and create opportunities for positive change;

• demonstrate commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.  

The hours of work for this position are 24 hours per week.  Note: on-call duties rotating every third week. The salary for this position is $48,933 per annum (prorated to $33,554 per annum for this 24 hour per week position) (Level 6), plus comprehensive benefits.                               
 
Please note: A police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. This position is within the Bargaining Unit. For internal applicants, this position is not secondable.
 
Submit your cover letter and résumé to: Carol Hines-DaCosta, Manager of YWCA Arise. YWCA Toronto. 412 Roncesvalles Avenue, Unit #203, Toronto, ON M6R 2N2.  E-Mail: arisejobs@ywcatoronto.org
 
Internal Deadline: Friday, December 14, 2018                                       
External Deadline: Monday, December 17, 2018
 
Please quote JOB ID number ARIS0161 and your name in the subject line.
 
YWCA Toronto promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations. YWCA Toronto provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation.
 
While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  No telephone enquiries please. 
 
YWCA Toronto is a Scent-Sensitive Workplace