Job Description

JOB OPPORTUNITY: Family Counsellor
Download PDF Job Posting Here

Family Counsellor Competition #57-22
DO YOU WANT A MEANINGFUL CAREER, HELPING OTHERS? JOIN US!
About the Role
At Family Services of Greater Vancouver, we’ve been helping people in crisis since 1928. As a non-profit, we help people develop skills and knowledge, empowering our neighbours to create positive change in their lives. Our team is made up of more than 420 staff, including expert counsellors and support workers who provide compassionate, client-centered care to youth experiencing homelessness, families and children impacted by trauma, victims of domestic violence, and other vulnerable people from an evidence-based, trauma-informed lens. We believe in building a brighter future for all British Columbians and providing a supportive and inclusive workplace for all our staff.
Provide counselling, parent-education and support to families and children (0- 12 years) referred by MCFD and to provide linkage between the family, the community, MCFD and other professional services.
What we offer you:
Benefits of working with us:
Flexible scheduling
Starting at three weeks’ vacation for full time staff (pro-rated for part-time) and growing to more +
Three (3) paid household leave days a year
One paid Wellness Day a year
Paid sick days
Two and a half paid Agency days for full time staff (pro-rated for part-time)
Five paid days for education leave/year (pro-rated for part-time)
One paid Moving Day/year
Subsidized professional association annual dues (if applicable)
Possibility of remote work/ hybrid work
A work culture that values transparency, teamwork, learning, fairness and integrity
Health and Welfare benefits:
Generous group health/dental benefits after 3 months.
Three flex options for health/dental coverage depending on the coverage you need
Option of psychological/counselling services (up to $1500/year)
Employee Assistance Plan
Long Term Disability Plan
Group Life Insurance, Travel insurance, ++
Pension: Pension plan enrollment after 12 months
Work Hours: 24.5 hours per week (Part Time)
Salary: GS12B $41,226.64 annually
Location: Work in the culturally diverse cities of Surrey, Delta and Langley.
Posting End Date: Posting will remain open until filled
What you bring:

• Knowledge of child welfare policies and procedures.
• An understanding of integrated case management/wrap around services delivery.
• Working knowledge of different parenting strategies and the ability to share these strategies with families.
• In-depth knowledge of child abuse dynamics.
• Excellent crisis intervention skills
• Excellent verbal (including telephone and in-person) and written communication skills (including the ability to write assessment reports).
• Ability to work with families who may present with multiple service needs related to poverty, addictions, violence, child abuse or neglect, attachment and mental health issues who are from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Competence in a window PC environment including MS WORD and EXCEL.

Education, Training, Experience

• Family counsellors will have a minimum of a Masters degree in a social science (e.g. MSW/MA/MEd in counselling psychology) and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3 years experience working with children ages 0 - 12 years

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Family Counsellor is responsible for:

Counselling:

Conduct assessments of the needs, dynamics and functioning of families.

• Develop goals with the family, and redevelop those goals as necessary.
• Develop and implement a counselling service, support and intervention plan in collaboration with the family and MCFD.
• Provide service in the family home, at the PPFS office or in the community as appropriate.
• Arrange integrated case meetings and participate in meetings in collaboration with the family.
• Connect children and parents to the appropriate supports and services.
• Advocate for the child and/or family, particularly in regard to housing, health, basic needs or schooling.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of services delivered to the child or family.
• Observe interaction between parent and child in their home environment during key times of the day, e.g.: mornings, mealtimes, bedtime. Coach, model and educate using various therapeutic parenting models and psycho-education.
• Provide information on child development, nutrition, safety, discipline, and home management.
• Also address concrete needs dependent on family needs, as required.

Consultation, Referral and Education

• Liaise as appropriate with other agencies/professionals for purposes of consultation, referral and advocacy, in order to ensure that clients receive comprehensive service.
• Testify in court when required.

Case management/ Record-Keeping

• Maintain case records as part of client files, including a log of client sessions; the focus of each session; the approach/intervention utilized; the outcome of the session; and any plans as a result of the session.
• Maintain accurate records of assessments, contacts, referrals and report to MCFD as required by contract.
• Maintain up-to-date case files in the agency information management system.
• Maintain other elements of client files as necessary to the provision of services and case management.
• Complete assessment and progress and closing reports for MCFD.
• Complete data collection for agency programs and agency accreditation and reporting needs.
• Ensure that agency and accreditation standards are met in delivering services and maintaining records.

Professional Development

• Remain up-to-date on: best practices for family preservation and reunification, child welfare, parenting and counselling.
• Network with colleagues and other professionals in the field.

Other

• Complete administrative requirements i.e. on-line timecards
• Attend staff/team meetings as required, and contribute to the development of knowledge and best practices for the team.
• Actively engage in team building, including participating in agency committees on behalf of the program.
• Participate in and be prepared for clinical supervision.

Additional Requirements

• Vehicle Required (with valid BC drivers license)
• Ability to drive clients when necessary
• Ability to work evenings
• Persons with a second language are encouraged to apply.
• Successful completion of criminal record check
• Proof of Covid-19 vaccination status will be required

How to apply:
If this describes you, please submit your application to us through our website, https://fsgv.ca/careers/
Only short listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. Thank you for your interest.
We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the communities we so proudly serve, while encompassing the principles of equity, inclusion and diversity. We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, people of all gender expressions and sexual orientations including queer, trans, and two-spirit people. In our words and actions, we recognize the challenges for those facing inequalities, while acknowledging our privilege, as we continuously strive to remove bias and reduce barriers that individuals may experience in the hiring and job-seeking process. We invite feedback from all applicants who apply for roles with the Agency.
If you require a disability-related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please email your resume and cover letter (indicating the competition number #57-22 in email subject line) outlining your interest and relevant experience to your contact information to hrinbox@fsgv.ca for follow-up. **if you are an internal candidate, please indicate “Internal Candidate” in the Comments section at the bottom of the online application**
Our programs are located on the traditional, ancestral, and unseeded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw(Squamish), Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil Waututh), Qayqayt,Katzie, Kwantlen, Kwekwetlem,Semiahmoo,Matsqui,and Tsawwassen First Nations. Huy ch q’u.