SHELTER COUNSELLOR
WEEKEND EVENING SHIFT (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Schedule: (Thurs 1-2:30pm, virtual meeting)

Friday (9:30am-8:30pm), Saturday & Sunday (8:00am-8:30pm)

About Yellow Brick House: Yellow Brick House is a leading provider of life-saving services to women, families and children who have experienced violence and abuse. We offer emergency shelter, individual, group and child counselling, legal support services, transitional housing support, and public education programs.

POSITION OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Direct Services Supervisor (Shelter), The Shelter Counsellor position is responsible to provide support to individuals identifying as female and their children who are temporarily residing in the shelter.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Service:

Provide screening, intake, and assessment for clients in order to determine the appropriate programming and/or services.

Counsel clients, individual and in group sessions, to assist in overcoming trauma, adjusting to life, and making changes.
Acts as a resource to clients in the areas of mental health, harm reduction and the dynamics of gender-based violence.
Provides crisis intervention to residents by telephone, text, or in-person.
Intervene as advocate for clients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
Conducts discharge interviews with residents as required.
Assists individuals who identify as women to understand the cycle of violence and the effects of violence on themselves and their children.
Provides support to address individuals who identify as women’s needs in a communal living setting.
Explore all available resources in maximizing the most effective plan for the client.
Liaise with community resources as necessary, in assisting and supporting residents throughout the shift (i.e., hospital, police, Children’s Aid Society, etc.)
Provide ongoing evaluation and revision of client’s goals/progress.
Provide appropriate intervention to the client and the community based on their assessment and plan.
Maintain positive relationships with other service providers, including but not limited to Children’s

Aid Society, law enforcement, social workers etc.

Overall monitoring of the shelter(s) to ensure safety for all residents and staff.
Other duties as required.

Documentation:

Maintains daily confidential, pertinent, accurate and non-judgmental logging on each client as per Yellow Brick House procedures.
Create and maintain client files according to Yellow Brick House policies.
Compile caseload statistics and prepare program and client reports as required.

Engagement

Communicate fully and openly with supervision; keeping supervisor fully informed of relevant client and staff member information, at all times.
Active positive participation in regular team meetings
Maintain a positive approach and a professional manner at all times.
Keeps up-to date on issues relating to gender-based violence and evidence-based practices for intervention as it pertains to woman and children.
Maintain community awareness of Yellow Brick House programs throughout York Region
Acts as a Brand Ambassador for the Yellow Brick House
Participates in internal/external committees as required.
Attends training sessions as required.
Works in a team environment; provides support and information to team members and assists other staff when required.
Fosters and maintains an anti-oppression working environment.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

Client Satisfaction
Service Quality
Accurate Documentation
Meet program targets as defined.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

Completion of a clinically supervised undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited university (e.g., BSW, MSW)
2-3 years working with diverse clientele.
Mental Health/Addiction counselling experience would be considered an asset.
Knowledge and understanding of abuse/violence against women and children.
English language as well as other languages used by client population (i.e., Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Farsi etc.)
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and database applications. Wish would be considered an asset.
Familiar and comfortable with technology-assisted platforms, specifically video conferencing, MS Teams, Zoom, etc.
Capable of working in a multidisciplinary environment with a variety of community professionals.
Knowledge of the Mental Health Act, the Child and Family Services Act and adherence to ethical and professional standards of conduct is required.
Capable of using therapeutic modalities to work with different types of clients presenting a wide range of issues. (Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed)
Must be able to work flexible hours including days, weekends, evenings.
A current police vulnerable sector screening (VSS) is required.
Reliable Transportation
Must be able to attend Team Meetings (Thursday afternoon)
Working knowledge of application of Anti-Oppressive and Feminist frameworks

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Interpersonal
Deadline Attainment
Communication (Written and Verbal)
Decision Making
Crises Management
Collaborative
Ability to work independently.
Trauma informed.
Cultural Sensitivity
Ethics and Integrity
Planning and Organizing
Energy and Stress
Problem Solving
Research and Analysis
Providing Consultation
Accountability and Dependability
Policy Adherence
Coaching and Mentoring
Mediating and Negotiating
Enforcing laws, rules and regulations

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works in a shelter environment either inside or outside in typically pleasant conditions.
Typical conditions are such that some risk of injury or harmful effect may be possible.
May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions including exposure to Covid.
Interacts with clients, staff, visitors, government agencies, personnel under all circumstances, which may be traumatic situations.
Some travel required between shelters.
Must be able to sit/stand for extended period of time.
Irregular hours
Intermittent physical activity, including lifting, standing, walking, and supporting clients.

Yellow Brick House would like to thank all applicants for their interests; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Yellow Brick House is an equal opportunity employer, and we will accommodate your needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Upon individual request, hiring processes will be modified to remove barriers to accommodate those with disabilities. Should any applicant require accommodation through the application, interview or selection processes, please contact the Human
Resources Department for assistance.

Please submit your resume to jobs@yellowbrickhouse.org

Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 5 months

Pay: $48,000.00-$52,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company events
On-site parking

Schedule:

Every Weekend

Supplemental pay types:

Overtime pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1L9: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

Bachelor's Degree (required)

Language:

a second language? (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-05-31
Expected start date: 2024-06-04

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Shelter Counsellor