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Number of Vacancies: 1 Type of Contract: Permanent Hours of Work: 37.5 Hours/Week Compensation: $52,037-$52,055/Year Job Code: 1-GBV-2026 Start Date: TBD Department: Gender Based Violence Support Services Location: Hamilton, ON About Us Founded in 1889, YWCA Hamilton is known as one of Hamiltons original social innovators and works from a feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework. We are committed to providing meaningful and accessible services that create opportunities to amplify voices and co-create gender-inclusive and equitable communities. Grounded in our core values of intersectional feminism , people-centred approaches, belonging , shared responsibility and strong partnerships , our work is guided by the belief that lasting change can be created together. YWCA Hamilton envisions an equitable world where women (cis and trans), girls, Two-Spirit and genderdiverse people have the rights and resources to shape their own lives and lead their communities. Join us in taking bold action that leads to lifechanging impacts in our community. As a YWCA Hamilton employee you get Onthejob training and professional development opportunities Childcare discounts Opportunities to get involved in our community A competitive total rewards package that may include extended health benefits and paid sick time (eligibility criteria applies) Responsibilities The Gender Based Violence Prevention Counsellor will provide individual counselling and group facilitation to women and gender diverse individuals, including those with developmental disabilities. The GenderBased Violence Prevention Counsellor will be working closely with the Developmental Services Department to provide accessible, traumainformed, inclusive services with a focus on the impacts of violence and trauma, gender inequity, and ableism on participants lives. The role includes delivering education and prevention programming focused on but not limited to healthy relationships, consent, sexual health, bodily autonomy, boundaries, online safety, and recognising and preventing abuse. The Gender Based Violence Counsellor will have a breadth of knowledge on accessibility and developmentally appropriate approaches while working with clients and in facilitating workshops. Work collaboratively with women and genderdiverse individuals, including those with developmental disabilities, to support education, counselling, and coaching related to healthy relationships, consent, sexual health, bodily autonomy, boundaries, online safety, and recognising and preventing abuse; Provide accessible counselling and adapt communication methods and materials to ensure understanding and informed decisionmaking; Support with safety planning, risk assessment, referrals to health care, social services, and case management as needed; Conduct intake meetings and assessments to identify needs, strengths, accessibility requirements, and service goals; Apply knowledge of trauma, the dynamics of woman abuse, systemic ableism, and intersecting forms of oppression to develop and implement effective support strategies; Deliver education and prevention programming related to Healthy relationships, Consent, Sexual health, reproductive health, and safer sex practices; Digital safety, exploitation prevention, Boundaries, communication skills, and selfadvocacy; Develop, implement and facilitate evidencebased accessible, inclusive group workshops using plain language, visual supports, interactive tools, and other adaptive strategies appropriate for individuals with developmental disabilities; Supports with the creation of formal and informal learning opportunities for internal teams on trends and best practices approaches related to GBV; Provide crisis intervention, supportive counselling, referrals, and advocacy; Communicate, advocate, and collaborate with community agencies (e.g., housing providers, developmental service agencies, healthcare providers, legal and social service partners) to coordinate wraparound supports; Works cross departmentally to enhance service coordination and delivery; Maintain professional recordkeeping standards for reports, statistics, and evaluation of client interactions and program outcomes; Maintain high levels of confidentiality when working with sensitive client and contract information; Implement appropriate program guidelines and procedures to ensure consistency, accessibility, and excellence; Provide program reports to Supervisor as required; Nurtures and forms meaningful internal and external working relationships and partnerships; Attend industryrelated networking events and represent YWCA Hamilton on community committees, including those focused on developmental services and violence prevention; Understand and incorporate emerging trends, leading practices, and professional standards in GBV, disability justice, and sexual health education; Work safely, report workplace hazards, and follow all YWCA Hamilton Health and Safety policies and procedures; Adhere to the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA), Workplace Safety Insurance Board Act (WSIB), Human Rights Code, and Employment Standards Act (ESA); Attend and participate in mandatory staff/team meetings and trainings as outlined by the YWCA Hamilton; Ensure compliance with YWCA Hamilton policies and procedures; Support YWCA Hamilton mission, vision, and values; Perform other duties as required Working Conditions Works 37.5hour work week; Often works in high conflict situations requiring resolution and safety planning for clients and staff; Ability to use frequent medium to heavy physical effort: lifting up to 22.7 kg (50 lbs.), bending and stooping; Work schedule includes days, afternoons, and/or occasional weekends. Qualifications Completion of 2 years college in social work, developmental services, human services, or equivalent or equivalent academic and/or work experience; Minimum 3 years experience working in violence against women services and supportive counselling, with experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities preferred; Experience working with Developmental Services Ontario is considered an asset; Strong knowledge of community resources, and programs within the Hamilton Region; Ability to navigate legal resources as well as familiarity with various justice service providers is an asset; Strong knowledge and experience in accessible group or workshop facilitation; Demonstrated experience adapting materials for diverse learning styles and cognitive abilities; Strong understanding of gender-based violence, systemic ableism, and intersecting forms of oppression; Knowledge of consent education, sexual health promotion, and violence prevention frameworks; Experience in traumabased counselling and education; Demonstrated commitment to disability justice, accessibility, and antiableist practice; Must be able to work from a feminist, antiracist, antioppressive, and intersectional framework; Ability to work a flexible schedule including days, afternoons, weekdays and/or occasional weekends; Must provide a current Vulnerable Sector Police Check or willingness to obtain at own cost; Must have current Standard First Aid and CPR certificate or willingness to obtain at own cost; Knowledge of community resources in the violence against women and developmental Services sectors; Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and effectively within a team; Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including plain language communication; Bilingual English/French or other languages is an asset. As part of YWCA Hamiltons commitment to Access and Equity, we strive to represent the diverse communities that we serve. Individuals who are women, First Nations, Mtis, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ2S+, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from racialized communities or other marginalized communities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process; if you require accommodation please reach out to . #J-18808-Ljbffr