Relief Counsellor, Mobile Crisis Response Team
Direct Service - (OPSEU)
St. Thomas, Ontario (Elgin Zone)
This posting is the result of an expansion of a relief pool
- Application Deadline: July 7, 2026 -
When individuals in our community experience an urgent mental health or addiction crisis, they deserve a response that is person-centered and supportive, while focusing on personal dignity and wellbeing.
This position is responsible for working in a dedicated capacity supporting the St. Thomas Police Service (STPS), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Aylmer Police Service (APS) by providing a mobile response to individuals experiencing a mental health or addictions related crisis at the point of time of direct contact with police. The MHRW will occupy office space at the reporting police headquarters and respond with patrol officers to assist with de-escalation, diversion from medical intervention where possible, and facilitation of transition to acute care where required to help ensure positive outcomes for the individual.
We are currently seeking candidates with open availability for all shifts, including weekdays and weekends; including day, afternoon, evening, and overnight shifts. Shift length in these programs varies. Relief staff have flexibility to accept shifts that suit their schedules but will commit to accepting a minimum of three shifts per month. While the minimum shift requirement is currently three shifts per month, Relief staff have the ability to pick up shifts at their discretion up to a maximum of 44 hours per week.
Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 4 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.
Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team!
WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:
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What you'll be making - Starting rate for this role is $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($30.01 per hour for Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated):
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Successful candidates who are registered with one of the designated professional colleges (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO) will receive the wage differential for regulation
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Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($34.41 per hour for non-regulated, and $37.26 per hour for regulated)
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For internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
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When you'll work: Casual Shifts to include days, afternoons, evenings, nights and weekends
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Your pension plan – Immediately eligible for optional enrolment in in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
Assessment, Direct Service, and Linking
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Work directly alongside police officers, including going out on patrol as needed, and to be ready to respond during working hours to assist in the de-escalation of crises.
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Complete crisis and mental health status assessments with individuals who come into contact with police and where the involvement of the MHRW is requested by an officer.
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Deliver support to individuals who have come into contact with police or to their family members in a safe, ethical, and sensitive manner.
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Employ training, knowledge, and expertise in the de-escalation of crises and, where possible, to help prevent incarceration or hospitalization as an outcome of police involvement.
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Complete additional mental health or addictions screening, comprehensive needs assessments, or service prioritization evaluations where appropriate to inform and facilitate community service referrals.
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Facilitate referrals for further specialized or formal assessment.
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Facilitate access to secondary healthcare services where voluntarily agreed to by an individual as part of an intervention or upon enforcement under the Mental Health Act, liaising directly with health professionals at St. Thomas – Elgin General Hospital to ease the transition from police custody to acute mental health care.
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Make service recommendations for individuals who come into contact with police or for their family members, and to facilitate referral processes where indicated
Support to Officers and Family Members of Victims of Accident or Crime
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To act as a resource for STPS, OPP and APS employees, working closely with the STPS Peer to Peer Support Team to monitor and identify incidents that may suggest a member is in need of peer-to-peer, employee assistance, or other support.
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Where requested by officers, to participate in death notifications and link individuals to victim services or other supports as required.
Record Maintenance, Confidentiality, and Testimony
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To maintain scrupulous and accurate recording of all police incidents arising in the course of the work, as well as any follow-up completed.
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To maintain dual records, recording both in the format required by, and in accordance with the documentation and record storage policies and procedures of, STPS, OPP and APS, as well as in the format required by, and in accordance with documentation and record storage policies of, CMHA, or direction by supervisor.
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To adhere to the privacy policies of, and privacy legislation respecting, STPS, OPP, APS, and CMHA collection and disclosure of information, undertaking responsibility for maintaining awareness of the unique differences between the privacy frameworks of municipal services and health services.
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To compile documentation such as affidavits or will-say statements where required by STPS, OPP, APS and CMHA, or where compelled by the court.
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To testify professionally and accurately at hearings, trials, and such other judicial or quasi- judicial proceedings as may be compelled from time to time, arising from the nature of the work.
Professional, Program, and Community Development
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To establish and maintain liaisons and cooperative working relationships with STPS, OPP, APS, Victim Services Elgin, St. Thomas – Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) and other social or health service providers.
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To monitor and report on quality of services provided, identifying deficiencies and respectfully advocating positive change.
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To participate in committees, working groups, or Situation Tables as needed to promote effective service coordination and collaboration, and deliver presentations from time-to-time as needed.
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To keep abreast of current principles, best practices, standards, and models of mental health service provision through active pursuit of professional development, training, and networking opportunities.
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To compile and maintain resources relevant to the services provided for distribution where appropriate.
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To compile and maintain program statistics as required by CMHA or STPS, OPP, or APS, and to provide narrative detail or write-ups when requested, in order to support future grant or funding proposals.
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To represent CMHA, STPS, OPP and APS professionally and positively in the community.
General Duties
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To adhere strictly to health and safety provisions put in place by STPS, OPP, APS, and/or CMHA, and to assume an active and diligent role in contributing to a safe and healthy workplace.
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To respect the authority of the STPS, OPP, APS Officer, Inspector, or other STPS, OPP, APS staff person assigned to functionally direct the work performed as part of this role (“functional supervisor”).
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To meet and communicate regularly with the CMHA Program Manager to discuss attendance and scheduling, training needs, professional development, clinical service provision, work performance, and CMHA operational changes.
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To attend work regularly and on-time, notifying both the Program Manager the STPS, OPP and/or APS functional supervisor of any absences or tardiness as soon as possible in accordance with the attendance procedures of both organizations, and recording worked time and time off accurately as prescribed by CMHA practices and/or procedures.
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To comply with CMHA policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures, as well as STPS, OPP and APS policies and procedures as they apply directly to the position or the workspace.
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To report any deficiencies in equipment provided by STPS, OPP and APS immediately to the functional supervisor or designate
24/7 Reach Out Addiction and Mental Health Crisis Line responsibilities as assigned:
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All Crisis Services Staff are to provide support to individuals through Reach Out
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Provide crisis intervention services and supports on Reach Out via phone, text and web chat.
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Respond to voicemails from Reach Out.
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Establish a therapeutic relationship with individuals accessing Reach Out, and work with individuals to address their immediate concerns.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:
Police Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements
Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the last six months. Interested applicants who reside in the City of London and are in need of a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible as PVSCs in the City of London are currently taking approximately 2 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.
We require the following qualifications:
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College Diploma or University Degree in a mental health or addictions related field or a minimum of 3 years of experience in a direct-service role and some post-secondary education in a mental health or addictions related field (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
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Valid Driver’s License: minimum G2 class required
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Access to a vehicle required for personal transportation
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Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly
We prefer the following qualifications:
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Registration in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO), or the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)
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A minimum of three (3) years’ direct client support experience in the community mental health sector, with preference given to applicants who also have experience working with individuals with addictions or problematic substance use
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Extensive knowledge of serious mental illness as well as trends and best practices in the delivery of support services to individuals accessing mental health supports.
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Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery model.
- Ability to develop short- and long-term treatment plans in conjunction with the individual
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Planning and organizational abilities
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Ability to Advocate and coordinate service access
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Strong active listening and verbal communication skills
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Proven ability to work collaboratively
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Ability to build relationships
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Computers skills
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Crisis Management/Intervention Skills
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Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada
INTERNAL APPLICANTS: To be considered as an internal applicant, current staff members are reminded to apply using their @cmhatv.ca or @slwar.ca email address.
Get your application in by – July 7, 2026:
Our recruitment process allows us to learn about your previous work experience, your qualifications and your commitment to fulfilling our vision. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those individuals being considered for a position will be personally contacted by someone from the interview team.
We welcome and encourage applications from all members of our community including persons of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of visible minorities. If you require accommodations related to a disability at any point during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected]
Legal Notifications:
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For legal purposes our full business name is: Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
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Artificial Intelligence is not currently employed in our recruitment processes
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