Community Counsellor

Full-time Contract until March 31, 2024

Bargaining Unit/ Salary- $58, 000 (Cat 1)

WHO WE ARE

ACT works to reduce new HIV infections in Toronto and promotes the independence, dignity, health and well-being of people living with HIV and AIDS and those at increased risk of HIV.

ACT does this through a variety of programs and services for women, young people and gay, bi, queer men including one-on-one counselling, psychosocial and social support groups, and harm reduction and outreach services, both online and in community. ACT produces sexual health information campaigns to help priority populations make informed choices about their sexual and mental health, and offers a one-of-a-kind employment services program for people living with HIV and 2SLGBTQ+ people on ODSP income supports. ACT serves all in the community who are living with or concerned about HIV, with 50% of people accessing services from BIPOC communities and other communities of colour.

WHY WORK WITH US?

All staff have access to:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Training and development opportunities
• Opportunities to participate in various committees that allow for learning and collaboration across the organization
• Organizational commitment to work-life balance
• Opportunity to contribute meaningfully towards improving the sexual, mental and emotional health of people living with HIV and those at increased risk in our community

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

We are currently looking for a temporary Community Counsellor to join our team!

JOB SUMMARY

This Community Counsellor position will provide assessment, counselling, and referral services to assist service users in discussing issues related to their sexual and mental health, including but not limited to substance use, coming out, disclosure of HIV status, HIV stigma, relationship issues, anxiety and depression, isolation and marginalization, adjusting to life in Canada, shame and guilt, negotiating safer sex, and body image.

The majority of the role will be providing individual counselling services for communities of people living with or affected by HIV.

This role will also work in partnership with HQ Toronto, a new health hub for GBT2Q communities, to deliver mental health group interventions for GBT2Q communities.

Individual counselling will be provided at ACT’s offices or virtually and group counselling will be provided at HQ Toronto located at 790 Bay St.

As the Counsellor will be working with GBT2Q communities, someone identifying as a GBT2Q guy is required for this position.

Specific duties and responsibilities will also include, but are not limited to the following and may be subject to change:

RESPONSIBILITIES

Counselling

• Provides assessment, individual counselling, and referral services to communities of people living with or affected by HIV
• Facilitates group-based interventions on a variety of mental health and substance use issues in collaboration with HQ Toronto for GBT2Q communities
• Counselling modalities could include, but not limited to, CBT, Narrative, Solution Focused, and Motivational Interviewing, using anti-oppressive and harm reduction frameworks
• Continually assess needs, including other support or on-going counselling services, financial assistance and/or other community supports and makes referrals where appropriate
• Identifies anxiety and depression, possible self harm and suicide risks and makes referrals.
• Provides affirming, supportive experiences to foster a sense of community
• Addresses sexual health issues using a risk reduction and sex positive approach
• Advocates on behalf of service users with health care providers
• Provides affirming, supportive experiences to foster a sense of community through a BIPOC lens of inclusion

Community Development and Representation

• Represents the agency on sector-wide working groups related to partnerships, program evaluation and the development of new services
• Represents the agency at a variety of ASO network meetings
• Prepares and delivers workshops on mental health and sexual health as needed

Counselling Student Supervision

• Provides supervision, training, and support to counselling placement students, as required.
• Evaluates student performance and reports back to the post-secondary institution.
• Liaises with the Field Placement Coordinator to communicate information

Administration and General Duties

• Maintains program records, including maintenance of information in databases of appropriate service user demographics and service provisions
• Contributes to statistical and program reports and proposals
• Actively involved with the ongoing evaluation, development and maintenance of all aspects of the counselling program, including evaluating needs and services required.
• Participates on ACT teams and external committees to plan, coordinate and deliver new and existing services, communicate information, resolve problems and achieve the goals of the organization
• Participates on the HQ Toronto team to help plan and coordinate group delivery needs
• Participates in monthly external clinical consultation
• Responds to telephone, email and online inquiries related to counselling services and provides information, support and referrals
• Demonstrates ethics and integrity throughout course of employment
• Other duties as assigned by the Manager of Gay Men’s Health Programs

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work & Master’s Degree in Social Work
• Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers is an asset
• Minimum two years related experience in counselling, crisis intervention, group facilitation or case management with a working knowledge of a variety of counselling approaches appropriate to the intervention context, including: CBT, Narrative, Solution Focused, and Motivational Interviewing, using anti-oppressive and harm reduction frameworks
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of health issues that impact GBT2Q communities and an understanding of the ways that other intersecting identities shape lived experiences (e.g., race, age, gender identity, gender expression, ability/disability, socio-economic status, immigration status, etc.)
• Demonstrated understanding of substance use issues and how they intersect with sexual health
• Experience in the delivery of virtual and/or telephone counselling is an asset
• Ability to use sound judgement during high pressure situations, where service user safety may be at risk
• Ability to anticipate potential problems/conflicts and take appropriate actions for resolution
• Knowledge of community resources and referrals
• Ability to use discretion, independent judgment, and tact in handling very complex, sensitive or confidential information or situations
• Experience fostering working relationships with key partners who have diverse interests in community development working with GBT2Q communities
• Experience dealing with complex intersectional issues requiring multi-step decision making capacity.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including availability for evening and weekend work
• Excellent organizational, computer (Microsoft Office), problem solving, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Components of this position require the staff person to conduct counselling in sexualized environments
• Fluency in other languages, in addition to English is an asset
• Willingness to work within anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks and actively engage in ongoing learning about these frameworks

JOIN US!

Two step application process:

Step 1) Send your cover letter and resume to:

              Please include the job title in the subject line

Step 2) Complete the following Equity Questionnaire: ACT Equity Questionnaire

As part of ACT’s Equity Hiring Strategy, we are committed to advancing employment equity and reducing barriers to employment for equity deserving groups. We are looking for qualified candidates from any of the following under-represented groups:

• Racialized Persons/Visible Minorities
• Indigenous Persons
• Persons living with Disabilities (this includes individuals living with HIV and AIDS)

The deadline date to apply is February 10, 2023