Outreach & Counselling Support Worker

Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses; Canada; Hybrid; CAD 56,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region Inc. in Jackson’s Point seeks an Outreach & Counselling Support Worker to provide mobile, residential and non-residential crisis support for women and their children affected by violence.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed care, goal planning and advocacy within a feminist framework. The position requires onsite work, some evenings and weekends, and collaboration with community partners to deliver safety planning, counselling and education across York

Qualifications

• Experience with survivors of gender-based violence in trauma-informed frameworks.
• Knowledge of York Region resources and services.
• Post-secondary degree or diploma in a relevant discipline and strong communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle and related insurance.
• Ability to travel to any part of the region including Sandgate locations.
• Strong organizational, time management and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide mobile, residential, and non-residential crisis support to women and children.
• Deliver safety planning, crisis intervention, trauma counselling, advocacy and referrals.
• Organize community education events on violence against women and related topics.
• Offer crisis line and in-person support, with intake for all accessing services.
• Maintain confidential documentation and participate in case consultations.
• Collaborate with staff, board and community partners to plan programs and outreach.

Skills

Crisis counseling

Mobile crisis support

Group facilitation

Advocacy

Safety planning

Trauma-informed care

Community education

Referrals

Education

Post-secondary degree or diploma in a relevant discipline

CPR/First Aid certification

Tools

Canva

Constant Contact

MailChimp

Job description

Employer: Sandgate Women's Shelter of York Region Inc

Location: Jackson's Point

Job Type: child youth and family

Closes: September 15, 2026

Job Posting:

Outreach & Counselling Support Worker

Job Title: Outreach & Counselling Support Worker, Community Programs

Number of positions: 1

Terms: Full time position. Bargaining Unit Position. Must be available to work onsite at Sandgate Women’s Shelter site in Jackson’s Point in York Region and in the surrounding communities. Occasional evening and weekend availability may be required.

Compensation: $27.23 per hour + benefits

The Outreach & Counselling Support Worker provides mobile, residential, and non-residential crisis support individually and in group settings to develop and carry out individualized goal plans for all persons who identify as women and their children who are affected by violence. Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region Inc. works within a harm reduction, feminist, and intersectional framework, following the mission, vision, and guiding principles of the organization.

Major Responsibilities

The Outreach & Counselling Support Worker provides mobile, residential, and non-residential crisis support individually and in group settings to develop and carry out individualized goal plans for all persons who identify as women and their children who are affected by violence. Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region Inc. works within a harm reduction, feminist, and intersectional framework, following the mission, vision, and guiding principles of the organization.

• Primarily provides mobile, residential, and non-residential crisis support individually and in group
  settings to develop and carry out individualized goal plans for all persons who identify as women and
  their children who are affected by violence
• Provide safety planning, crisis intervention, trauma counselling, advocacy, referrals, and follow up
  support
• Provides community education, development and event planning on the issues of violence against
  women
• Provide crisis intervention and supportive counselling through the crisis support line and in-person
  at the shelter(s)
• Conduct safety risk assessments and develop proactive safety planning, on the crisis support line and
  in person
• Knowledge of and compliance with relevant legislation (i.e., the Child and Family Services Act)
• Provide solution-focused counselling to women in the shelter(s) and on the crisis support line
• Conduct an intake for all women and their children who have accessed services
• within Community Programs
• Assist women by providing support in navigating the social services system and providing relevant
  referrals, as per the woman’s individual needs
• Provide information on rights, options, and available services
• Plan and facilitate support groups designed to improve emotional wellbeing and healing for women in
  the community and in shelter programs

Administration and Documentation

• Understand and comply with all organizational policies, procedures and service delivery guides including:
  • Safety, security and emergency procedures
  • All organizational procedures
• Describe and model Sandgate Women’s Shelter service processes, commitments, values and obligations to support-seekers
• Collect and report relevant data and statistical information
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation, i.e.: client management/database updates,
  monthly reports, communication logs, women’s notes, intake and discharge documentation
• Participate in case consultations and warm referrals, as needed

Public Awareness

• Organize and participate in six or more public awareness/education events on issues related to
  violence against women annually
• Facilitate and participate in appropriate community and coalition meetings
• Liaise with schools, teachers and students as requested
• Effectively liaise with relevant community stakeholders including public speaking and awareness events
• Produce media articles/releases, pamphlets, budgets and reports as required

Team Collaboration and Support

• Adhere to all organizational, including emergency, procedures
• Adhere to all health and safety requirements and all organization confidentiality requirements
• Participate in supervision and/or team meetings
• Uphold ethical standards, professional boundaries, and mandatory reporting obligations
• Where crisis situations occur, respond in accordance with organizational protocols
• Work in co-operation with all Sandgate Women’s Shelter staff, Board members and community
  partners
• Participate in orientation and training of new employees and students, including job shadowing
• Co-facilitate support groups as needed
• Provide frontline or crisis line coverage as required
• Work independently and as a team member
• Participate in program planning and evaluation
• Attend relevant organizational meetings and/or events
• Participate in report writing as required
• Ability to maintain and secure outreach office (supplies and equipment), including cash
• Assume other relevant tasks and activities as required

Key qualifications

• Understanding of gender-based violence, particularly intimate partner violence, across diverse
  intersections of identity (e.g., race, faith, sexual orientation, and gender identities)
• Demonstrated experience working with survivors of gender-based violence and survivor-serving
  organizations from trauma-informed, feminist, anti-colonial, anti-racist, and anti-oppression frameworks
• Experience working in gender-based violence and/or sexual violence services
• Flexibility to work in, and travel to, any part of the region (all Sandgate locations)
• A valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle and work-related insurance
• Experience providing crisis intervention and/or brief counselling to survivors of gender-based violence,
  particularly intimate partner violence
• Experience working with women of diverse backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses and other diverse
  social identities
• Knowledge of the social services system, and ability to effectively navigate within it
• In depth knowledge of York Region’s resources and services
• Knowledge of relevant legislation (i.e., the Child and Family Services Act)
• Excellent communication, organizational, time management, conflict management, and interpersonal
  skills
• An ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to communicate effectively with service users and
• coworkers through various tools and techniques
• Demonstrate active listening and ability to respond appropriately when interacting with individuals or in
• groups
• Facilitator and presentation skills, using a variety of resources and methods
• Ability to find solutions to problems and provide workable solutions
• Demonstrated professionalism and a positive work ethic within communication skills, interpersonal
• effectiveness and conflict resolution
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to the principles of equity of access and cultural diversity
• Ability to liaise effective­ly with community agencies and the general public
• Ability to use media, resources, network to raise awareness and build relationships
• Post secondary degree or diploma in a relevant discipline (ie. social work, social services, counselling,
  women’s studies, or other post-secondary education and experience)
• Computer proficiency, and experience utilizing one or more outreach design platforms and tools (i.e.
  Canva, Constant Contact, MailChimp)
• A second language other than English and French is an asset
• Valid CPR/First Aid certification, is an asset

Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in the selection process.
Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.