CRISIS COUNSELLOR

Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre•Kanata, ON

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC) and be part of a passionate team dedicated to improving lives and making a tangible impact on the community. WOCRC values the diversity of its employees and the knowledge, skills, and contributions each brings to the organization. Our work is meaningful, fulfilling, and can be demanding, so we are committed to offering our staff fair and competitive compensation along with a comprehensive suite of benefits to support staff health, wellness, and financial security. This is a unionized position. Under the supervision of the Manager, the Crisis Counsellor provides crisis and brief intervention services, information, assessment, and referral to clients of the WOCRC.

Requirements

Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent in education and training.
Two-year pertinent experience in direct service, crisis intervention and brief therapy.
Obtain and maintain membership in CRPO or the college of Social Workers.
Ability to communicate fluently in English, spoken and written.
Word processing – Intermediate
Clinical note taking and documentation.
Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of community-based model of intervention and health equity principles.
Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act.
Knowledge of the Mental Health Act.
Knowledge of social services delivery in Ottawa.
Excellent assessment skills.
Strong organizational and communication skills.
Strong public speaking and popular education skills.
Multitasking abilities.
Demonstrated commitment to an anti-racist/anti-oppression principle.
Ability to work well in a team environment.

Nice To Haves

Ability to communicate fluently in French, an asset

Responsibilities

Provide initial contact to all new clients of the WOCRC, establish rapport, assist in identifying needs and provide information about services.
Provide crisis intervention services through telephone contacts and on a walk-in basis.
Provide brief intervention counselling.
Provide short term counselling using evidence-based techniques.
Connect clients with appropriate internal and community resources.
Assist clients in accessing desired services.
May include facilitating concrete services such as child care, transportation, etc.
Assess level of risk and provide follow-up as required.
Facilitate education and support groups as required.
Participate in advocacy and coordination committees about services available, gaps in services, and issues affecting individuals, couples and families.
Promote participation of clients and community in general, in activities designed to educate and/or advocate for prevention.
Act as a consultant to colleagues, agencies and the community regarding crisis services in the Ottawa area.
Respond to community requests for information.
Present to community groups.
Participate as a staff member in public relations and fundraising events, as requested.
Participate as a direct intervention team member at internal and external meetings.
Advocate for coordinated planning of services.
Establish and maintain links with community groups and agencies to facilitate referrals and positive working relationships.
Coordinate inter-agency referrals.
Offer in-service training to colleagues.
Provide training to community groups.
Provide support and training to students as required.
Provide support and training to volunteers as required.
Participate in WOCRC evaluation processes.
Prepare and maintain all necessary documentation and statistics related to crisis intake activities on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
Ensuring that the commitment to WOCRC’s vision, mission and beliefs are understood and respected.
Ensuring that the commitment to diversity is understood and respected. This includes diversity of culture, language, faith expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic resources and degrees of physical (dis)ability.
Maintaining up-to-date professional skills and knowledge through formal and informal training.
Acting as an “ambassador” for WOCRC within and outside the Centre by creating an awareness of WOCRC programs and promoting services offered.
Compliance with all mandated legal/regulatory requirements related to working at WOCRC, (, Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety, standards of professional conduct).
Maintaining awareness of and compliance with WOCRC policies and procedures.
Maintaining awareness of and compliance with funder requirements, policies, procedures and regulations.
Attending/chairing team and staff meetings as required.
Perform other related duties as assigned.