The Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC) is a community-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting health, wellness, safety, and inclusion across far west Ottawa. Since 1986, WOCRC has supported individuals and families through a wide range of community, social, and health services designed to strengthen and empower the communities we serve.

Our programs support children, youth, families, newcomers, seniors, and individuals experiencing crisis or social isolation through counselling, housing and violence against women services, community development initiatives, health promotion, and family support programming.

At WOCRC, we are committed to fostering healthy, inclusive, vibrant, and resilient communities where individuals feel supported, connected, and empowered to thrive.

Title: Crisis Counsellor

Reports to: Team Manager, Counselling & Community Response

Compensation: $54,149.00 - $55,232.00

About the Role:
Under the supervision of the Manager, the Crisis Counsellor provides crisis and brief intervention services, information, assessment and referral to clients of the WOCRC.

How You'll Make an Impact:
Provide Direct Service

• 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

Advocate on behalf of clients

• 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.

Participate in community education concerning social issues and services

• 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

Ensure coordination of policy and service

• 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

Serve as a staff resource for training and development

• 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

Ensure evaluation of service

• 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.

All WOCRC employees have some fundamental responsibilities that go beyond the confines of their occupations. These include:

• 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.

Your Skills & Experience

• 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.

Language

• Ability to communicate fluently in English, spoken and written, required
• Ability to communicate fluently in French, an asset

Computer Competencies

• Word processing – Intermediate
• Clinical note taking and documentation

Other

• 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

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC) is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and equitable workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We value diversity and are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

WOCRC welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences, including but not limited to women, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, newcomers, and individuals from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

We are committed to providing accommodation throughout the recruitment and selection process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Applicants requiring accommodation are encouraged to contact Human Resources via email at peopleservices@wocrc.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, due to the volume of applications received, only those selected for interview will be contacted.

Note: WOCRC may use AI-enabled tools to support the recruitment process including application tracking and/or resume screening, etc.