Job Description

Reports to

: Manager, Safe Shelter Services

Location

: Burlington (Shelter 12-3pm/hotel 3-8pm)

Status

: Temporary Full Time to April 5, 2026, with possibility of extension

Shift:

Afternoons 1: Monday to Friday 3:30 PM - 11:30 PM (modified during renovations to 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM)

Classification:

Union

Department

: Programs & Services

Application Deadline: Friday, July 25, 2025, at 4pm

Agency Overview:

Halton Women's Place is the only Safe Shelter program in the Halton Region. We provide a safe haven, information, education, and counselling, to support women and children to live a life free from violence. We operate two emergency safe shelters, as well as community outreach and public education program. Our safe shelter facilities operate on a 24/7 basis.

Position Summary

Crisis Intervention Counsellors provide immediate crisis counselling, emotional and practical support to Women and their children, who are fleeing, or attempting to flee, Domestic Violence. This role also provides education, referral services and advocacy to women and their children according to the mandate and policies of Halton Women's Place. They are responsible to ensure the safe, healthy, and effective provision of shelter and crisis line/chat services.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Client Services

Respond immediately to requests for services from the Halton community to provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and practical assistance to women. Conduct client needs assessments and provide referrals or linkages to long term case management programs. Assess safety concerns and critical care needs, develop/update individualized safety plans. Advocate and liaise with other community agencies to provide wraparound support. Complete applications for the Victim Quick Response Program Plus (VQRP+) in support of high-risk clients. Work from a client centered approach, trauma informed, and anti - oppressive frameworks. Maintain confidential client files, accurately documenting intervention/case notes in database. Complete all required agency reporting including quantitative and qualitative data. May be required to assist with meal preparation and service, supporting nutritional needs, as needed. Attend staff meetings as required for this position, including staff professional development meetings, department meetings, and team meetings

Mentorship, Coaching and Training

Assist in the training of staff and volunteers by actively participating in the onboarding and job training process; supervise placement students as required; Be open to attend and present at periodic community events or committee roundtables;

Community Advocacy

Represent HWP in a professional manner when attending events. Participate in workshops and seminars to maintain and develop job related skills. Actively engage in periodic fundraising events, representing the agency and supporting the event.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Position will require working from one of the safe shelter locations, with flexibility to move to the other as needed and, in the case of relief staff, flexibility to work at both is mandatory. Attending satellite offices in the community if required and scheduled. (eg, should clients be temporarily housed externally say in a Hotel) While the work can be demanding and unpredictable, your ability to remain calm under pressure and prioritize the well-being of our residents will be essential. Depending on the number of clients with children, you may be exposed to times when the noise of playing with children is overbearing. Your ability to view this through a lens of compassion will set you up for success at this time.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor of Social Work or Social Service Worker Diploma or equivalent academic credential is required. A comprehensive combination of education in a related field, combined with significant relatable experience, may be considered. BSW or SSW students working towards their degree/diploma, may be considered for relief positions until the completion of their degree/diploma.

Experience and Knowledge

Min. 1 year experience working within a community agency providing crisis intervention and emotional support along with client advocacy services is required. 3 years is preferred. Knowledge and ability to work from a client centered, anti-oppression framework that incorporates trauma and violence informed practice. Strong assessment, interviewing and crisis intervention skills, including suicide risk assessment and safety planning particularly for those at risk of harm from intimate partner violence. Knowledge of legal system (both criminal and family law), intimate partner violence, trauma, and the criminal justice system. General knowledge of the social service system and community resources in the Region of Halton. Bilingualism and/or ability to speak other languages predominant in the Region of Halton, will be considered a strong asset.

Skills and Abilities

Ability to maintain confidentiality, act with diplomacy and professionalism while exercising sound judgment in work with clients and external agencies. Flexibility, time management and multi-tasking skills. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to use conflict resolution skills as necessary. Comfort working in a fast-paced environment at times means working under pressure due to the nature of a crisis environment. Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office and experience working with a client database.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

Clear Police Record Check, including Vulnerable Sector, is required to secure and maintain employment. Verification of COVID vaccinations as mandated by the Ministry, is required to secure, and maintain employment. A clear reading on a Step one TB test is required to secure and maintain employment.

As part of the recruitment and selection function, HWP will collect voluntary self-identification data from applicants in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, HWP Hiring Practices Administrative Procedure, HWP's Employment Equity Policy and Ontario's Anti Racism Data Standards: Personal information is collected under the authority of the Anti-Racism Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 15, in compliance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56. In accordance with HWP's Employment Equity Policy, personal information collected on this form will aim to achieve an inclusive, diverse and representative workforce. It works to intentionally identify and remove barriers for equity-deserving communities at each stage of the hiring process. Encouraging diversity of the workforce is vital because the workforce should be reflective and representative of the community.

Although hiring policies must adhere to the qualification requirements set out in applicable Regulations and any applicable collective agreement provisions, HWP recognizes the importance of the following when developing its selection and evaluation criteria: valuing applicants' additional experience, lived experience, skills, backgrounds and perspectives; and granting first consideration, where the skills, ability, and qualifications of the applicants are relatively equal, to applicants who self-identify as members of historically under-represented communities.

We encourage you to respond to our voluntary applicant self-identification questions. This data will inform our understanding of the diversity of our applicant pool as well as the progress of applicants throughout the hiring process. This data will inform our goals, strategies and actions and our progress towards creating and sustaining an inclusive and equitable workforce.

The section includes questions from Ontario's Anti-Racism Data Standards (Standards, 2017). The Standards were established to help identify and monitor systemic racism and racial disparities within the public sector. The Standards establish consistent, effective practices for producing reliable information to support evidence-based decision-making and public accountability to help eliminate systemic racism and promote racial equity (adapted from Ontario's Anti-Racism Data Standards, 2017).

Accommodation:

Upon request, we will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates who have temporary or permanent disability, or who otherwise require accommodations based on the protected grounds highlighted in the Ontario Human Rights Code in respect to the recruitment and selection process.

Wellness:

HWP is committed to providing a respectful and healthy work environment.Include shift schedule
Not Included

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