Gender Based Violence Counsellor

YWCA Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A community service organization in Hamilton is seeking a GBV Counsellor to provide individual and group support to women impacted by violence. The role requires a strong background in trauma-informed care, and the ability to navigate the criminal justice system. Candidates should have at least two years of college education in social work or human services, along with three years of relevant experience. The position offers a part-time work week with flexible scheduling, focusing on empowering clients through various support strategies.

Benefits

On-the-job training

Childcare discounts

Professional development opportunities

Competitive rewards package

Qualifications

• Completion of 2 years’ college in social work or human services.
• 3 years’ experience in violence against women services.
• Familiarity with the Child and Family Services Act.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual counselling and group facilitation to women in conflict with the law.
• Conduct client intake meetings and assessments to identify needs.
• Maintain professional recordkeeping standards.

Skills

Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care

Experience in group facilitation

Excellent communication skills

Understanding of criminal justice system

Ability to work in high conflict situations

Education

2 years’ college in social work or human services

Job description

Who We Are

Founded in 1889, YWCA Hamilton is known as one of Hamilton’s original social innovators and works from a feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework. We are dedicated to strengthening women’s and girl’s voices, broadening their choices, building dynamic leadership and providing essential services that promote safe, inclusive and equitable communities.

YWork for us?

At YWCA Hamilton, we are intentional about fostering a workplace culture that values positive physical and emotional well‐being through our values of Intersectional Feminism, People Centred, Belonging, Responsibility, and Partnerships. We invest in our employees so that we can bring our values into the communities in which we live. We offer our employees:

• On‑the‑job training and professional development opportunities
• Childcare discounts
• Opportunities to get involved in our community
• A competitive total rewards package

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of women, children, and families every day, we would love for you to join our team!

Position Description

Job Code: 2-JOS-2025

Department: Housing and GBV Support Services

Reports to: Supervisor, GBV Support Services

Location: Hamilton, ON

Hours of Work: 16-29 hours/week

Contract Start Date: TBD

Contract End Date: March 31, 2027

Posting Date: December 2, 2025

In this role, you will provide individual counselling and group facilitation to women who are or have been in conflict with the law. The GBV Counsellor will provide access to trauma informed and harm reduction‑based intervention for women and gender diverse individuals with a focus on support and education around the impacts of violence on their lives. Facilitation of group workshops year‑round that address a broad range of topics of which YWCA has specialized knowledge including emotional wellbeing, housing, gender based violence, and healthy relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively with women and gender diverse individuals to support a diverse range of needs including legal support, systems navigation, housing, education, employment and mental health/addictions to establish and maintain a plan to assist them with a safe and effective path to independence;
• Support with release planning, safety planning & risk assessment, harm reduction strategies, referrals to community agencies and case management;
• Conducts intake meetings and assessments of clients to identify needs and establish service goals;
• Applies the knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of woman abuse to develop and implement effective support strategies;
• Supports the training of placement students and provides feedback to Program
• Supervisor for evaluation of placement students;
• Works within general rules, procedures and standards, referring issues or problems to direct supervisor;
• Maintains professional recordkeeping standards in a system for reports and statistics on client interactions;
• Communicates, advocates and collaborates with community agencies (e.g. courts, legal services, housing) to provide resources and services to clients/residents;
• Offers clients crisis intervention, supportive counselling, referrals and advocacy;
• Provides programming and facilitates group workshops (e.g. safety plans, healthy relationships, impact of trauma on children);
• Provides crisis intervention and response as required;
• Maintains high level of confidentiality when working with sensitive and personal client, employee and contract information;
• Maintains accurate records/statistics and evaluation information related to the activities undertaken/outcomes achieved;
• Implements appropriate program guidelines and procedures/templates for program to ensure consistency and excellence;
• Provides program reports to Supervisor as required;
• Attends industry related networking events and representing the YWCA on community committees;
• Understands and incorporates emerging trends, leading practices, industry professional standards;
• Works safely, reports all workplace hazards and follows all YWCA Hamilton Health and Safety policies and procedures,
• Familiar with, and adheres to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, (OHSA)
• Workplace Safety Insurance Board Act (WSIB), Human Rights and Employment
• Standards Act (ESA);
• Participates in annual Health & Safety training provided by the YWCA;
• Attends and participates in staff/team meetings;
• Ensures compliance with YWCA Hamilton policies and procedures;
• Supports YWCA Hamilton mission, vision and values;
• Performs other duties as required.

Working Conditions

• Works 16-29 -hour work week; regularly on‑call rotation for emergencies, crisis situations and resourcing issues;
• Work schedule includes days, afternoons, weekday and/or occasional weekends;
• Often works in high conflict situations requiring resolution and safety planning for clients and staff.
• Ability to use frequent medium to heavy physical effort: lifting up to 22.7 kg (50 lbs.), bending and stooping.

Qualifications

• Completion of 2 years’ college in social work or human services, or equivalent;
• 3 years’ experience working in violence against women services and supportive counselling;
• Strong knowledge and experience in group or workshop facilitation;
• Sound knowledge of the Canadian criminal justice system, court processes.
• Ability to navigate legal resources, Probation and Parole, as well as familiarity with various justice services partners
• A solid understanding of factors that contribute to individuals’ involvement in the criminal justice system and the systemic causes of the over representation of women and gender‑diverse people with mental health and addictions issues in the criminal justice system
• Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act and Immigration and Family Law is an asset;
• Experience in trauma‑based counselling and education;
• Must be able to work from a feminist, anti‑racist/anti‑oppressive perspective;
• Ability to work a schedule which includes days, afternoons, weekday and/or occasional weekends;
• Must provide a current Vulnerable Sector Police check or willingness to obtain at own cost;
• Must have current Standard First Aid and CPR certificate or willingness to obtain at own cost;
• Knowledge of community resources in the violence against women sector;
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and also work effectively in a team;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Bilingual English/French or other languages is an asset.

As part of YWCA Hamilton’s commitment to Access and Equity, we strive to represent the diverse communities that we serve. Individuals who are women, First Nations, Métis, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ2S+; individuals with disabilities; and individuals from racialized communities or other marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process. Please inform us of any accommodation requests.

Please Note: Personal information collected during the recruitment process will only be used for employment opportunities only in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. Only applications from individuals eligible to work in Canada will be considered.

Thank you for your interest in YWCA Hamilton. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.