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Counsellor
Families in Transition
Permanent part-time (0.5fte/17.5 hrs per week)
Post date: Jan. 25, 2012
Family Service Toronto (FST) helps people face a wide variety of life challenges. For over 90 years we have been assisting families and individuals through counselling, community development, advocacy and public education programs. We also work with a range of partners to build a vibrant community social services sector. Family Service Toronto is a proud United Way member organization. Our services are available to everyone who lives or works in Toronto.
Families in Transition (FIT), a department of FST, provides specialized services for separating, divorcing and remarrying families. The focus of FIT's work is supporting child adjustment and adaptation to these family changes through counselling, group therapy, educational programing, and closed mediation of parenting plan issues.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Providing evidence-based divorce-specific interventions that focus on child adjustment to separation, divorce, or remarriage including:
- individual and family counselling from assessment to termination for children and parents
- leading or coleading therapy groups for children and parents experiencing separation, divorce, or remarriage/repartnering
- closed mediation of parenting plan issues
- leading educational seminars on topics such as reducing parent conflict, co-parenting relationships, child grieving, child-parent relationship
- responding to urgent situations identified by clients (e.g. suicidal ideation, child welfare concerns, transfer issues, etc.)
· Advocating for individual clients as well as identifying systemic issues that may arise in the course of child-focused divorce-specific practice
· Preparing excellent written clinical assessments, case notes, and letters
· Integrating outcome measurement tools (ORS/SRS) into clinical practice
· Ensuring the regular and timely recording of data as per agency and funder requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
· MSW or equivalent combination of education and experience over a minimum five-year period (foreign credentials and relevant experience will be considered)
· Minimum of 5 years post-graduate clinical experience including short-term therapeutic interventions and group therapy with children and parents, and provision of educational programs for adults
· Demonstrated experience in:
- Providing therapeutic interventions with children and parents including assessment, planned brief interventions, including group therapy
- Adult education: working with and presenting to a range of community groups
- Clinical theory: child development, communication and conflict resolution, grieving and loss, separation and divorce
- Ethical dilemmas: identifying and managing divorce-related concerns within the scope of therapeutic practice
- Working knowledge of current Canadian and Ontario family law legislation
· Strong assessment, intervention and written documentation skills
· Ability to provide therapeutic interventions in English and another language (e.g. Farsi, Mandarin, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, or Urdu) preferred
· Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and set appropriate priorities in a fast-paced environment
· Demonstrated commitment to principles of equity, inclusion and cultural competency
· Good computer skills particularly in a Windows-based environment
· Training and experience in closed mediation strongly preferred
· Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team
· Experience working with students and/or volunteers is an asset
· Ability to work one evening per week and up to eighteen Saturdays per year required
· Up-to-date police reference check
LOCATION: 700 Lawrence Avenue West (Lawrence Square Mall) with potential for occasional assignments in other agency or community locations
SALARY RANGE: Salary Grade 8 Bargaining Unit; $51,580 - $63,530 (pro-rated to time worked)
DEADLINE TO APPLY: No later than 5 p.m Feb. 2, 2012
Interested applicants are invited to submit a letter of application and resume, quoting File FIT#02-12 to
Human Resource Services
Family Service Toronto
355 Church Street
Toronto, ON M5B 1Z8; OR e-mail: hrdep@familyservicetoronto.org
FST is committed to a policy of equity and inclusion. We offer opportunities for growth in a team-oriented environment, as well as competitive salary and benefits packages. We thank all applicants and will contact the individuals selected for an interview. No phone calls please.
