Counsellors for the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre

Update: Note: This poster was amended on 10 Aug 2023 to include an organizational need pertaining to employees at British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS). See the 'organizational need' section for details.

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

📢 How does this work?

✅ Step 1: Read the entire advertisement. Let us know you’re interested and click “Apply Online”

✅ Step 2: Tell us about yourself. Attach your resume and answer the screening questions in the online application. Do not assume that the screening board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. You must be specific and provide concrete examples/details for each experience element, as applications will be screened only on the information provided.

✅ Step 3: We will carefully review all of your qualifications. If we determine you can help in one of our immediate or upcoming opportunities, we may contact you for further information or assessment.

Creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued begins with self-declaration. Count yourself in and self-declare by identifying to which employment equity group(s) you belong. In order to self-declare, please ensure to indicate this by checking off the appropriate box within the online application as part of the Employment Equity section.

Duties

As a counsellor, you will serve as the first point of contact at the Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC) for Defence Team members (serving CAF members, former CAF members, DND Federal Public Service Employees and Cadets and Junior Rangers over the age of 16) on a 24/7 phone line, a dedicated email and/or text/chat services. You will provide confidential, supportive counselling services in response to crisis situations (suicidal, violent and/or critical incident), assessing for immediate safety concerns and engaging proper authorities if required. Building relationships of trust with individuals who have experienced or been affected by sexual misconduct is necessary in order to effectively provide information and to present options to assist and empower them to make informed decisions based on their individual needs. You will also participate in activities that raise awareness of the SMSRC Program mandate and act as a technical resource (subject matter expert) for both internal and external audiences. This position requires strict adherence to the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector and to the Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces Code of Values and Ethics. If you are ready to serve in this vital role, read the entire advertisement and click “Apply Online”.

Work environment

The Department of National Defence (DND) is one of the largest federal government employers, offering over 70 types of civilian career opportunities. DND's role is to provide services and support to the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in their operations and missions at home and abroad. The civilian workforce is an essential part of the Defence Team. Your knowledge and expertise contribute to the overall mission. In this regard, the department fosters a work environment where you have opportunities to learn, to develop your talents, to progress in your career and have job satisfaction over the long-term.

Together, DND and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) form the largest and most complex organization in Canada. DND's role is to provide services and support to the CAF in their operations and missions at home and abroad. DND and the CAF work side-by-side to fulfill the Government of Canada’s mission to defend Canada and Canadians and contribute to international peace, security and stability efforts.

What do we offer?

🍁 At DND we foster a work environment where employees have opportunities to grow, learn, progress in their careers and have job satisfaction over the long-term. You’ll enjoy:

✅ A career among a dynamic and dedicated team
✅ Opportunities for advancement
✅ A diverse, respectful and inclusive work environment
✅ A total benefits package including a competitive salary, health and dental insurance plans, pension plan and a variety of leave entitlements

🌿 Work life balance! Including opportunities for:
o Telework and flexible work arrangements
o Flexible hours of work and compressed work weeks

Telework, may be considered, depending on the operational requirements of the position.

Please note: You may be required to report the designated worksite at the request of the manager. Additionally, telework arrangements are not long-term commitments and will be evaluated, at minimum, annually. Should the telework agreement come to an end, you will be required to report to and work from the designated worksite.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to fill current and future vacancies in various locations with various employment tenures and language profiles within the Department of National Defence.

Positions to be filled: 5

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Education:
Graduation with a baccalaureate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with an acceptable specialization relevant to the position being staffed (i.e., social work, psychology, sexology, etc.).
OR
A college diploma in a field related to mental health, community or social services (ex. social work, victimology, etc.) in combination with a minimum of 2 years’ experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Experience providing counselling support to vulnerable populations (ex. trauma, mental or physical illness, etc.).
Experience providing suicide intervention strategies in a social service or health care context, including conducting suicide risk assessments.
Experience liaising with internal or external community stakeholders.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative: CBC/CBC
English Essential
French Essential

Information on language requirements

Second Language Writing Skills Self-Assessment
In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your writing skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

For more information, please consult:
Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills

Competencies:
Demonstrating integrity and respect
Thinking things through
Working effectively with others
Showing initiative and being action-oriented
*Communication

*Being able to communicate effectively is a skill that allows you to understand and be understood by others. These can include but are not limited to effectively communicating ideas to others and actively listening in conversations.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Education:
A graduate degree in a program relevant to the position to be staffed (i.e., social work, psychology, sexology, etc.)

Degree equivalency

Occupational Certification:
Current member, in good standing, with a recognized regulatory body related to the position to be staffed (E.g. Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers).

Experience:
Experience providing providing support to members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and/or employees of Department of National Defence (DND).
Experience providing support to victims of sexual trauma or violence.
Experience providing counselling support via telephone, text or chat platforms.
Experience developing and delivering information briefings or presentations.
Experience providing counselling support to youth
Experience providing advice, coaching and guidance and/or mentoring to team members.
Experience developing, implementing and updating program policies, procedures or service standards.
Experience reviewing confidential records and electronic data to ensure the provision of quality service and adherence to standards.
Experience working with web-based case management systems.
Experience planning and managing the operations of a social service delivery environment, including staffing and succession planning.

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

↪The Department of National Defence is committed to providing an environment where justice, fairness and the elimination of barriers helps build a skilled, diverse and representative workforce reflective of Canada. We welcome diversity in all its forms, promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply. Please note that preference for hiring will first be given to candidates who are members of the above mentioned designated groups.

↪In support of Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE) initiative #24, consideration may be given to the spouses or common-law partners of CAF members.

↪As a result of the reduction of training activities at British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS), the Department of National Defence is committed to providing access to other work opportunities for BATUS employees. Employees of UIC 7777 – BATUS may be appointed or deployed to positions for which they are qualified ahead of other candidates.

Operational Requirements:
Willing and able to work overtime on short notice.
Willing and able to travel on short notice.
Willing and able to work in office during core hours of operation which are currently 07h00 to 17h00 local time but are subject to change on short notice. Service is provided 24/7.
Willing and able to work on standby/shift work from a remote location (e.g. home) during week days/nights, weekends and holidays. Must be able ensure a confidential environment free of disruption or distraction during remote hours. These hours are rotated on a weekly basis between the counselling staff.
Requirement to have access to functional internet and cellular services.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

▶ If there are limitations or special circumstances preventing you from submitting your application via the PSRS online portal, you must contact us and receive approval to apply via an alternate means PRIOR to the closing date.

▶ Depending on the position being staffed:
↪ Additional qualifications, operational requirements and/or conditions of employment may be required
↪ Varying degrees of breadth and depth of experience may be deemed essential
↪Asset qualifications may be invoked as essential qualifications
↪You may be contacted and asked to submit information or be further assessed

▶ Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

▶ A variety of assessment tools may be used. This may include application screening, interviews, role play scenarios, written assessments, reference checks, board knowledge, interactions with internal staff during the process, etc.
↪ Please note that your overall conduct and communications, including email correspondence, throughout the entire process may be used in the assessment of qualifications and competencies.

▶ Our organization will only accept on-line applications for this opportunity. Please click “Apply online” to submit your application. Should you have a disability or an exceptional circumstance that requires an alternative application method, please contact us for guidance.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Apply online