Employment

SASC Job Opportunities

Counsellor/Advocate
Internal / External Posting

The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region supports survivors of sexual violence. We listen, facilitate healing, and celebrate resiliency. Using an intersectional feminist approach, we work to transform systems which promote gender-based violence.

Due to the generosity of our community and COVID relief funds, we’re recruiting a full-time Counsellor/Advocate! Reporting to our Director of Services, the successful candidate should feel inspired by our work and have a genuine desire to support our mission, vision, and values. They will have experience providing support to individuals who have experienced sexual violence and a warmth and maturity about them.

Essential Requirements of Education / Experience:
· Post-secondary education in a counselling-related program

Key Areas of Responsibility:
· Individual and group counselling with survivors of sexual violence
· Advocacy and accompaniments with survivors
· Maintenance of client files and statistics
· Student supervision, as required

Knowledge and Skill Required:
· Knowledge of sexual violence, trauma, and recovery
· Proven skills in counselling, group facilitation, crisis intervention, and advocacy with survivors of sexual violence
· Demonstrated commitment to anti-violence work and an intersectional feminist approach
· Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
Office hours are 9:00AM to 4:30PM however some flexibility is needed for evening and occasional weekend work.

*Due to the COVID pandemic, staff are working remotely.
Salary: $49,847.12 to $58643.68 annually, 35 hours/week, plus benefits and a generous vacation package. This is a one year contract, beginning immediately.

Committed to reflecting our diverse community, we especially encourage applications from BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ candidate

We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls or email inquiries please.

COUNSELLOR / ADVOCATE
JOB DESCRIPTION

 Job Summary
Reporting to the Director of Services, our Counsellor / Advocates are accountable to provide supportive, strengths-based, non-judgmental advocacy, psycho-education, and individual and group counselling to survivors and their families who have been impacted by sexual violence.

 Duties and Responsibilities
 Direct Service
· Provide an average of 17 individual counselling sessions per week for people, 16 years of age and older, who have experienced and/or have been impacted by sexual violence.
· Provide advocacy and accompaniments to survivors. Provide accompaniments to court, the hospital, the police station, mental health appointments, CIBC hearings, etc.
· Write letters of support/advocacy and CICB therapy reports.
· Participate in case conferences and consultations.
· Make appropriate referrals to other community services and communicate with other service providers to support clients.
· Maintain and build community partnerships, within the scope of a Counsellor/Advocate role.
· Provide practical assistance to clients as necessary and available. (E.g. bus tickets, grocery vouchers, hygiene products, food items, book loans, etc.)
· Provide support with Group Counselling as requested by the Director of Services.
Additionally, in a small agency, it is often the case that work of a nature similar to that in each job is either assigned or known to be necessary to be done. As well, from time to time, work that is not similar in nature to the job may also be required to be done by individuals in any job in order to accomplish the SASC’s purpose.

Qualifications
· Post-secondary education in a counselling-related program and relevant experience.
· Knowledge and training pertaining to sexual violence, trauma and recovery.
· Proven skills in support, crisis intervention, safety planning, and advocacy with survivors of gender-based violence.
· Familiarity with community services.
· Knowledge of how sexual violence relates to forms of oppression.
· Demonstrated experience working with marginalized and at-risk communities.
· Experience supporting and advocating for survivors with mental health needs, safety concerns, etc.
· Exceptional organizational, time-management, and communication skills.
· A strong ability to work independently, with minimal supervision.
· Must attend and successfully complete volunteer training program upon initial employment.

 Communications
Strong communications and interpersonal/human relations skills are required in the position to articulate policy, concepts, etc., motivate others and effect change both inside and outside the organization. There is regular contact with clients, as well as community partners.

Working Conditions
This job is partly performed in a comfortable office environment, with occasional travel around Waterloo Region to partner agencies. Much of the work in the office involves sitting, but there is opportunity to stand and move about.
This job requires intense concentration during meetings with clients. Repeated exposure to details of violence and assault can lead to vicarious trauma. The need for debriefing, communication with management, self-care, and balance is critical for incumbents in this position.

*Much of this position will be home-based during COVID.

Direct Reports
While no employees report to this position, our Counsellor/Advocate may supervise the work of students in the program.

Contract length: 12 months
Application deadline: 2021-03-21
Expected start date: 2021-03-29
Job Types: Full-time, Contract
Salary: $49,847.12-$58,643.68 per year
Benefits:

• Dental care
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision care
• Wellness program
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work remotely:

• Temporarily due to COVID-19

COVID-19 precaution(s):

• Remote interview process
• Virtual meetings

Click here to apply