Residential Counsellor # 2 – Full Time

Date Posted: August 15, 2025

Hours of Work: Full-time Permanent position ,36.5 hours/week, for afternoon shifts (4:00 PM to 12:30 AM), subject to change based on program needs

N.B. The Phyllis Haslam Residence program operates 24/7. Applicant for this position MUST be flexible with all other shift timings.

Hourly Wage: $31.29 (plus benefits)

Reports to: Program Manager

Classification: Residential Counsellor # 2 (Bargaining member position)

Location: On- Site in Toronto, ON for Phyllis Haslam Residence

About Us

Elizabeth Fry Toronto delivers gender-based, trauma-informed services and advocates for justice and equity for criminalized women, Trans, non-binary, and Two Spirit people, as well as their families. We envision communities where women and gender-diverse people are not criminalized. Our work is grounded in an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, intersectional feminist, abolitionist framework and guided by our values of Compassion, Equity & Inclusion, Excellence, and Accountability. We support the empowerment and well-being of criminalized individuals through responsive, client-centered programs that address the complex and systemic barriers they face. Our services are rooted in trauma-informed and harm reduction practices, assisting people at various stages of involvement in the criminal justice system.

We are Currently hiring a Residential Counsellor 2 -Full Time to provide in a 19-bed community residential facility the Residential Counsellor supports our mission by ensuring the women we serve have access to supports and services needed for a successful reintegration into the community while ensuring safety and security of the facility.

This position requires shift work, hours of work will be determined. Up to date First Aid certification and the ability to pass a Reliability Clearance are mandatory for this position.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducts client interviews, prepares case histories, assesses problems, and develops individualized counselling plans.
• Meets with residents to identify needs, discuss programs, set goals, and provide guidance on personal issues.
• Provides counselling to residential clients and incarcerated women, conducts intake processes, and completes incident reports while advising the on-duty Parole Officer.
• Assesses risk factors including drug use, aggression, and suicide, and takes actions to ensure resident safety.
• Communicates with residents to track progress, supports goal achievement, and develops individualized care and correctional plans.
• Liaises with community agencies and partners, advocates for clients, provides referrals, resolves problems, and supports release plans.
• Provides crisis intervention, mediates conflicts, offers practical assistance (e.g., budgeting), participates in recreational activities, and locates in-kind resources.
• Monitors residential operations, parole compliance, security, orients residents, and completes intake/discharge procedures.
• Participates in committees and team meetings, shares information, resolves problems, and trains staff and volunteers.
• Documents case notes, reports, and advocacy letters, maintains confidentiality, and applies trauma-informed, gender-responsive, and anti-oppressive practices.

Qualifications and Skills

• Education: Degree or diploma in Social Work, Community/Social Services, Psychology, Criminology, or a related field, or a combination of education and experience.
• Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of counselling and facilitation experience, preferably working with women from diverse ethno-cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, including transgender and LGBTQ2+ communities. Experience working with justice-involved women and marginalized groups is an asset.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of the criminal justice system, especially as it relates to women; trauma from feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppression perspectives; and restorative justice principles.
• Commitment: Demonstrated use of trauma-informed, feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppression, and harm reduction practices.
• Skills: Strong facilitation and client engagement skills, case documentation and management, crisis intervention, problem solving, and decision-making using appropriate communication channels.
• Technical: Proficient in updating client information systems, Microsoft 365 suite, and virtual platforms.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal, relationship management, oral and written communication, and organizational skills.
• Availability: Ability to work independently and collaboratively in both virtual and in-person settings, including court-based and community locations in Toronto.
• Languages: Bilingual in French or other languages is an asset.
• Travel: Ability to travel occasionally between offices and community locations as required.

Working Conditions

• Primary work location will be in person at the office for the Phyllis Haslam Residence program.
• Limited travel between offices and community location may be required.

How to Apply

Please send your cover letter and resume in ONE document to careers@efrytoronto.org .Applicants must list Residential Counsellor 2, Full-time in the subject line of the email or just click the Apply button below.

We appreciate all applications, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Diversity Statement:

Elizabeth Fry Toronto is committed to equity and inclusion and encourages applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled, and other equity-deserving communities. We recognize the importance of lived experience in the criminal justice system and value applications from those with relevant personal insight. We are committed to creating a respectful, barrier-free hiring process. If you require accommodation during any stage of the hiring process, please let us know.