Crisis Counsellor

Job Information

Overall Purpose

• Under the direction of the Manager, Victim Crisis, the Crisis Counsellor will be responsible for providing crisis intervention, post trauma counselling, assessment and referral to victims and survivors  of crime, tragic circumstances and critical incidents liaising between the police service, Ottawa Victim Service, and other partners in the justice system and the community to ensure optimal provision of services.   

Major Responsibilities

Provide Direct Crisis Intervention and Post Trauma Counselling:

• Crisis intervention and post trauma counselling to victims / survivors of crime, tragic circumstances, critical incidents, and disasters. 
• Working in Partnership with Ottawa Victim Services, Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army and the City of Ottawa and other community service providers to provide these direct services to victims and survivors of crime and trauma.

Provide assessment and referral of victims / survivors to appropriate community resources: 

• Assessing and triage accordingly all assigned cases for high-risk lethality.
• Assessing focusing on identifying the level of risk, impact of the event and availability of resources to individuals, groups and community.
• Ensuring that all high-risk partner assault cases are referred to the Partner Assault Support Team for review as well as liase with PAST team agencies when mandated to do so.
• Referring to appropriate community resources including working collaboratively with Ottawa Victim Services to provide services. 
   

Major Responsibilities (continued)

Liaise with OPS Members and Community Agencies in Providing Services to Victims / Survivors: 

• Working in conjunction with sworn members to ensure that victims/survivors are provided the best possible service.
• Working in conjunction with community partners respecting all existing Memorandums of Understanding. 
• Ensure that cultural interpretation is provided to individual, groups and community when required

Advocating for victims / survivors. 
Assist in the Development of Services for Victims/Survivors of Crime including liaising with other partners within the OPS, criminal justice system and the community to enhance and develop services for victims / clients.
 

Major Responsibilities (continued)

Assist in VCU enhancing and Maintaining its Service Delivery and Administrative Functions:

• Providing input on standard operating procedures and protocols as requested.
• Participating in the evaluation of day-to-day operations to ensure ongoing improvements to function and services.
• Participate in team meetings. 
• Actively participating in Clinical Supervision and creation of annual short and long term goals. 
• Actively seek feedback from colleagues, manager and victims / survivors regarding the provision of services and participate in ongoing professional development activities.
• Provide training and presentations to members of the community and to members of the police service. 
   

Statement of Required Qualifications

Education

• Masters in counselling, Psychology, Social Work or Demonstrated current registration in one of these Masters programs. 

Experience

Three (3) years experience including:

• Direct experience in crisis intervention and post trauma counselling with victims of crime, trauma, critical incidents Experience working with victims/survivors of violence against persons.
• Experience in clinical assessments and triaging multiple files including knowledge of identifying, assessming and managing high-risk indicators.
• Experience in Post Trauma Interventions. 
• Experience in assessment, triage and knowledge of a variety of community resources.
• Working knowledge of Criminal Justice System.
• Experience in suicide risk assessment and intervention. 

Language

• English – fluency in oral, reading, and writing.
   

Certifications and Licences

• N / A

In service Training

The following mandatory training and education is provided to all employees of the OPS:

• Occupational Health & Safety.
• Respectful Workplace. 
• Violence in the Workplace.
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI).
• Road to Mental Health Readiness (R2MR).
• Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE).
   

Suicide Intervention Training will be provided if required. 

Job Knowledge

A sound understanding the Organization’s Mission, Vision and Values.
Working knowledge of:

• Professional code of ethics relevant to College. 
• Child Family Services Act.
• Mental Health Act.
• Provincial and Federal Victims Bill of Rights.
• Best Practices in Crisis Intervention and Early Intervention.
• Social Service Agencies within City of Ottawa.

The nature of work necessitates continuous awareness of developments in the social services field.
Understanding and sensitivity to community diversity and related issues. 
 

OPS Competencies

Hours of Work

Effort and Working Conditions

• Work within the Victim Crisis Unit is challenging and requires extensive interaction with operations, investigative services, and community groups.
• Work is generally performed on scene or in an office environment with controlled public access.
• Some risk is involved in often dealing with upset and traumatized individuals.
• Work requires driving to and attending scenes of critical incidents to provide crisis intervention to victims.
• The incumbent must be able to work shifts as designated in the “Hours of Work” section of the job description.
   

Desired Qualifications

• Oral, reading, and writing fluency in French or other languages.
• Suicide Intervention Training.
• Disaster Mental Health Training.
• Advanced Level Post Trauma Interventions Training.