City : Toronto

Category : Talent Recruitment

Industry : Education

Employer : Seneca

Position Summary:

The Counsellor, Gender Based Violence reports to the Director, Counselling and Accessibility Services to provide immediate and on-going support and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault, harassment and/or violence as defined under Bill 132.  The scope of this functional role involves consultation and support to key stakeholders in the College system including Security, Student Conduct, School/Academic areas consistent with the legislation including relevant policy and procedures.  The Counsellor will assist administration, faculty and staff, in a consultative role, in identifying and addressing appropriate academic accommodations for student survivors of sexual assault, sexual violence and/or harassment issues.

This position home campus will be Newnham. However, inter-campus travel is required.

Responsibilities:

Student Support

• In consultation with the Senior Manager of Counselling Services, designs, maintains and facilitates a student support group.
• Provides crisis intervention, safety planning, and assistance with referrals to community and college supports.
• Provides campus-related advocacy and accompaniments for students where appropriate.
• Corresponds and consults with students, counselors and others on various issues related to disability and counselling within a post-secondary context in implementing supports or services.
• Ensures the Director is informed and updated on critical supports or interventions in a responsive and timely manner.
• Accurately maintains student files in an online clinical database and record keeping system.

Department and Community Support

• Assists the Sexual Assault and Bystander Training working committees with community engagement, promotions, and marketing to enhance awareness, education and support services.
• Works in collaboration with other campus resources to effectively support survivors’ needs.
• Supports a campus coordinated response to sexual assault and takes part in case consultation meetings.
• Attends staff meetings and supervisory meetings whilst upholding the standards of confidentiality and respect.
• Represents Director as a delegate when requested in the greater community events.

Qualifications:

Education

• A completed and recognized Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counselling, Adult Education or Rehabilitation. If in another discipline, state how the field of study is related.
• Must be a current member, in good standing within a Regulated Health Professional College. 

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience working with students with disabilities in a post-secondary environment with a familiarity of academic accommodations.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience working in the area of sexual violence.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to deliver training and workshops to staff and students in the areas of sexual violence, sexual assault and sexual harassment.
• Thorough working knowledge of the resources and supports available to victims of sexual violence in the Greater Toronto area.
• Demonstrated ability to understand documentation frequently submitted to post-secondary disability and counselling offices such as psycho-educational report, medical reports and individual education plans (IEP).
• Excellent communication and human relation skills are essential to interact effectively with the College’s multicultural/racial backgrounds and diverse abilities within the student and staff population, as is an understanding of and commitment to equity in education.
• Excellent computer skills and knowledge of specialized educational software to support students with unique learning needs.
• Familiarity with brief therapy or solution focused training and learning strategies is essential.
• Ability to be innovative and possesses a team orientated approach.
• Familiarity with issues of disability as well as being knowledgeable in the Ontario Human Rights Code.
• Demonstrated ability in crisis intervention, including abuse, grief and suicide counselling is considered to be essential skills.
• A valid Ontario driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle are required for travel between campuses.  

Note:  A skills assessment test may be administered during the recruitment process.