At Valora Place (formerly Violence Against Women Services Elgin County) our doors are always open – 24 hours a day. For safety when you need it. Community you can count on. Connection where you feel understood.
We serve women and their children who are experiencing harm in their relationships or struggling with how they’re feeling. We support family, friends, and co-workers too. Care is immediate, respectful, and compassionate. Each year over 2,000 people find the help they seek.
24-Hour Services are delivered through our Community Help Line, Drop-In Support, and Emergency Shelter to offer immediate support; right when it’s needed most. No appointment is needed.
Community Based Services are delivered in person by appointment to support women who have experienced abuse; women who have experienced sexual assault; women who are looking for support with housing; women who are navigating family court; and children who have witnessed abuse.
We are hiring Full Time Emergency Shelter Counsellors. Work is in person 40 hours a week at our 24-Hour location in St. Thomas. Pay commences at $54,000 per year.

QUALIFICATIONS

You’ll bring empathy, compassion, and adaptability, along with a strong desire and ability to build and maintain trusting relationships in a 24/7 direct care environment. You’ll also need to

• Understand the societal context of gender-based violence and its daily impacts, including holding a trauma informed lens that understands the effects of coercion and control in the lives of women and children.
• Support the values, purpose, and vision of Valora Place.
• Demonstrate strong abilities in dynamic risk assessment, safety planning, emotional support, and counselling.
• Have strong communication skills - written and verbal – for in-person care, phone-based support, and collaboration with team members.
• Be able to effectively prioritize and problem solve
• Manage sensitive and confidential matters professionally, with attention to boundaries, discretion, and safety needs.
• Possess a nimble spirit and the flexibility necessary to adapt and remain steady when things don’t go as planned.
• Approach your work with curiosity, reflection, and a commitment to learning and growth.
• Hold post-secondary degree or diploma and related work experience, ideally in social services or a similar field.
• Be proficient with Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Outlook, and Excel.

You will need to be able to lift up to 30lbs, provide a current and clear Criminal Reference Check and Vulnerable Persons Screen, have current CPR/First Aid certification, and have daily access to reliable transportation.

As an Emergency Shelter Counsellor and Care Lead you will play a lead role in providing safety, support, and guidance. Work is onsite and your responsibilities will include:

• Facilitating dynamic risk assessment and safety planning
• Providing emotional support and counselling
• Exploring the effects of abuse each woman is experiencing and providing effective strategies for consideration to help mitigate the impacts in day-to-day life.
• Sharing information and resources with women who have experienced hurt as well as with their family members, friends, and co-workers who are looking for ways to support them.
• Facilitating care planning, advocacy, and system navigation in support of each woman’s hopes and direction.
• Maintaining a trauma-informed environment that is confidential, secure, clean, organized, and always ready to welcome the next person who calls or walks through our door.

Given the nature of 24-hour service delivery, your work will include awake overnight hours and weekends. A night shift premium is provided for overnight shifts.