Sandgate Women's Shelter - Outreach Counselling & Support Worker

Sandgate Women's Shelter - Outreach Counselling & Support Worker

Posted on Mar 18, 2025

Position Overview

The Outreach Worker 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. Community education, development, and event planning on the issues of violence against women will also be a focus for this position. You will provide safety planning, crisis intervention, trauma and clinical counseling, advocacy, referrals, and follow-up support. All aspects of this position are performed within a harm reduction, feminist, anti-oppression, and intersectional framework, following the mission, vision, and guiding principles of the organization.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Provide crisis intervention and supportive counselling in person and via telephone.
• Support women who have experienced violence and/or sexual abuse through the provision of clinical counselling.
• Assist women through the process of navigating the social services system and provide relevant referrals, as per the woman’s individual needs.
• Attendance at appropriate meetings or appointments with women as necessary.
• Organize and participate in public awareness/education events on the issue of violence against women, attend speaking engagements as agency representatives as required.
• Facilitate and participate in appropriate meetings as required.
• Complete indirect service components in a timely manner as required: logging/ tracking, information bridging, follow-up, recording and reporting.
• Participate in program planning and evaluation as approved.
• Participate in grant applications, proposal and report writing as approved.
• Effectively liaise with relevant community stakeholders including public speaking and awareness events.
• Facilitate, plan, and develop support groups designed to improve emotional well-being and healing from trauma for women in the community and in residential programs.
• Maintain flexibility in scheduling and travel – some evening and weekend work may be required.
• Provide front line shelter coverage or other relevant duties as required.
• Produce media articles/releases, pamphlets, budgets, and reports as required.
• Liaising with schools, teacher education, one-on-one counseling as requested.
• Understand and comply with all organizational policies, procedures, and the Service Delivery Guide.

Requisite Skills and Qualifications

• University Degree in Social Work or Psychology.
• Two to three years of related experience.
• Experience in group facilitation and supportive crisis counseling.
• Education and experience in clinical counselling.
• Demonstrated ability in public speaking, education, and event planning.
• Commitment to continuing education on women’s issues, with a particular emphasis on violence against women.
• Intermediate competency with computer hardware and software.
• Fluency in a second language spoken by a significant regional population will be considered an asset.
• Valid driving license, valid car insurance, and reliable vehicle.

Job Requirements

• Commitment to and promotion of a woman-centered service within a feminist analysis in all aspects of work.
• Experience in working within a trauma informed approach framework.
• Ability to work independently and as an effective transition team member, with willingness to cover duties/shifts for other positions if required.
• Assume other relevant tasks and activities as required.
• Respect for and valuing of community diversity.
• Work within an anti-racism/anti-oppression framework.
• Ability to challenge current systems and co-workers and resolve conflict.
• Flexibility to work in, and travel to, any part of the region (all organizational locations), as per operational requirements.
• Proof of Clear Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Proof of CPR/First Aid Certification.

Please note that this position reports to and is supervised by the Shelter Supervisor for Jackson’s Point.

Application Procedures

In keeping with our ongoing efforts to promote equity and reflect the diversity of York Region, we welcome applications from Aboriginal Women, Women of Color, Immigrant women, Lesbians, and other women from the LGBTTTIQQ community, women with disabilities and Women from other diverse groups to apply.

Apply in writing to the HR Manager at saditag@sandgate.ca by closing date listed above by 5:00pm.