Gender Violence Counsellor

Who We Are

Founded in 1889, YWCA Hamilton is known as one of Hamilton’s original social innovators and works from a feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework. We are dedicated to strengthening women’s and girl’s voices, broadening their choices, building dynamic leadership and providing essential services that promote safe, inclusive and equitable communities.

At YWCA Hamilton, we are intentional about fostering a workplace culture that values positive physical and emotional well‐being through our values of Intersectional Feminism, People Centred, Belonging, Responsibility, and Partnerships. We invest in our employees so that we can bring our values into the communities in which we live. We offer our employees:

• On‑the‑job training and professional development opportunities
• Childcare discounts
• Opportunities to get involved in our community
• A competitive total rewards package

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of women, children, and families every day, we would love for you to join our team!

Job Code: 2-JOS-2025

Department:
Housing and GBV Support Services

Reports to:
Supervisor, GBV Support Services

Location:
Hamilton, ON

Hours of Work: 16-29 hours/week

Contract

Start Date:

TBD

Contract End Date:
March 31, 2027

Posting Date:
December 2, 2025

In this role, you will provide individual counselling and group facilitation to women who are or have been in conflict with the law. The GBV Counsellor will provide access to trauma informed and harm reduction‑based intervention for women and gender diverse individuals with a focus on support and education around the impacts of violence on their lives. Facilitation of group workshops year‑round that address a broad range of topics of which YWCA has specialized knowledge including emotional wellbeing, housing, gender based violence, and healthy relationships.

• Works collaboratively with women and gender diverse individuals to support a diverse range of needs including legal support, systems navigation, housing, education, employment and mental health/addictions to establish and maintain a plan to assist them with a safe and effective path to independence;
• Support with release planning, safety planning & risk assessment, harm reduction strategies, referrals to community agencies and case management;
• Conducts intake meetings and assessments of clients to identify needs and establish service goals;
• Applies the knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of woman abuse to develop and implement effective support strategies;
• Supports the training of placement students and provides feedback to Program
• Supervisor for evaluation of placement students;
• Works within general rules, procedures and standards, referring issues or problems to direct supervisor;
• Maintains professional recordkeeping standards in a system for reports and statistics on client interactions;
• Communicates, advocates and collaborates with community agencies (e.g. courts, legal services, housing) to provide resources and services to clients/residents;
• Offers clients crisis intervention, supportive counselling, referrals and advocacy;
• Provides programming and facilitates group workshops (e.g. safety plans, healthy relationships, impact of trauma on children);
• Provides crisis intervention and response as required;
• Maintains high level of confidentiality when working with sensitive and personal client, employee and contract information;
• Maintains accurate records/statistics and evaluation information related to the activities undertaken/outcomes achieved;
• Implements appropriate program guidelines and procedures/templates for program to ensure consistency and excellence;
• Provides program reports to Supervisor as required;
• Attends industry related networking events and representing the YWCA on community committees;
• Understands and incorporates emerging trends, leading practices, industry professional standards;
• Works safely, reports all workplace hazards and follows all YWCA Hamilton Health and Safety policies and procedures,
• Familiar with, and adheres to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, (OHSA)
• Workplace Safety Insurance Board Act…