MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELLOR FOR OUR HOSTEL SERVICES

Overview

COSTI is a multicultural organization providing social services, settlement, employment, and language training services. For more information about COSTI, please visit our website at www.costi.org.

Hostel Services program provides short-term accommodation and support services for vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness including but not limited to families, refugees, women fleeing domestic violence and singles. COSTI’s shelters provide clients with a pet friendly dwelling.

This is a contract position scheduled to work 35 hours per week,
Monday to Friday, (11:00 am to 7:00pm)

This position is required to work in a stressful environment often dealing with clients in crisis situations. The ability to function independently and frequently under pressure while managing multiple concurrent duties, including managing emergency situations is an expectation of this job.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Conducts mental health assessments for refugee clients experiencing homelessness
• Provides crisis intervention to clients experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis.
• Provides Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Treatment clients.
• Provides individual, couples and family counselling to clients experiencing personal, emotional, mental health or addiction issues.
• Develops and implements counselling and intervention plan.
• Develops and delivers mental health workshop sessions
• Assist clients to gain insight, define goals, and plan action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment.
• Work closely with general and housing counsellors to support case plan leading into housing when needed
• Makes referrals to appropriate health/mental health and social service agencies.
• Liaises with other organizations, and service providers.
• Documents services and activities in COSTI’s data base system and SMIS (Shelter Management Information System) and prepares necessary reports.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelors of Social Work and at least 2 years clinical counselling experience working with vulnerable population. Masters of Social Work will be an asset.
• Knowledge of housing issues local and community resources
• Demonstrated ability in crisis de-escalation skills applied in a team setting
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
“We thank all applicants for their interest in COSTI. However, only candidates selected for
an interview will be contacted. No telephone inquiries please.”
COSTI encourages applications from individuals reflecting the diversity of our community.
COSTI is committed to fair and accessible employment practices and when requested,
will make reasonable effort to accommodate people with disabilities during
the recruitment and assessment processes when filling positions.
Accelerating Engagement
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals who are marginalized, under served and who may be at risk of homelessness or homeless.
• Demonstrated ability working with individuals living with untreated mental illness.
• Understanding of a trauma informed approach.
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation practices.
• Demonstrated counselling skills.
• Experience in case planning.
• Sound culturally competent clinical skills.
• Fluency in English is a must. Fluency in another language is an asset.
• Must have valid first aid/ CPR certificate.
• Possession of a valid Naloxone training certificate is required.
• Required to provide a valid Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) Police check. The VSS must have been completed within past 6 months.
• Flexibility to work morning or evening hours.
• Must be fully vaccinated or be exempt from vaccination on human rights grounds. COSTI reserves the right to require information establishing the validity of the exemption.

LOCATION: Hwy 401 and Victoria Park
DURATION: October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025
SALARY RANGE: $33.37 to $34.98 per hour
POSTING DATE: September 13, 2024
CLOSING DATE: September 27, 2024
Priority consideration will be given to those on Notice of Recall.
Qualified candidates are invited to submit their resumes and cover letters as one file, by quoting

reference #150-24, and clicking on the below link:
https://creg.costi.ca/ui/hr/resume.aspx?refno=150-24&site=costi