
Counsellor
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.