Job descriptionRelief Counsellor, Mobile Crisis Response Team Direct Service - (OPSEU) Relief This posting is the result of a current vacancy. Strathroy, Ontario (Middlesex Zone) Application Deadline: May 21, 2026
Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) staff will support individuals accessing services by providing a psychosocial response in order to promote crisis resolution and empowerment for the individual. MCRT staff are responsible for providing a mobile response to individuals experiencing a mental health or addictions related crisis at the point of direct contact with police. MCRT staff occupy office space at respective police headquarters and respond to live and follow‑up calls 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. MCRT will also work collaboratively with individuals to assess and identify their needs and link them to appropriate supports in the community.
MCRT Middlesex‑Strathroy staff are responsible for working in a dedicated capacity supporting the Middlesex Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Strathroy‑Caradoc Police Service (SCPS).
Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team!
WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:
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):
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
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); for internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
Premiums of $2.00 will be applied for eligible Evening/Night and Weekend Shifts
When you'll work
– Casual shifts up to 44 hours per week; Rotating days, afternoons and evenings with a possibility for Saturday shifts.
Your pension plan
– Immediately eligible for optional enrolment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Direct Service:
Work directly alongside police officers during regular work hours to assist in de‑escalation of crisis
Complete mental health and addiction assessments with individuals and family members who come into contact with police based on theory of crisis management including rapid response to identify:
the impact of psychiatric symptoms on functioning
risk factors related to safety of client and others
opportunities for de‑escalation and stabilization
Establish a therapeutic relationship to maximize the benefits of engagement with the individual and their family members
Provide short‑term telephone and in‑person follow‑up support to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer‑term support service as needed
Coordinate and facilitate referrals to internal and external services and supports for individuals or for their family members
Advocate as necessary in order to facilitate access to services and supports with the objective of remediating immediate crisis situation
Engage emergency services when it is determined that additional intervention is required
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 care professionals (e.g. hospital) to ease the transition from police custody to acute mental health care
Assess barriers to successful community living (e.g. treatment options, transportation, finances, etc.)
Obtain information, as needed, from other relevant sources
Interact and provide support and assessment in a nonjudgmental fashion and provide care that demonstrates sensitivity to individual diversity (e.g. culture, race, age, sexual orientation, gender, beliefs and values).
Support the individual in developing skills for self‑advocacy to learn new behaviours and develop coping skills fostering healthy interdependence through limit setting.
Provide health teaching and information regarding coping techniques and strategies, e.g. grounding, breathing techniques, self‑care, nutrition, sleep hygiene, techniques to enhance overall well‑being.
Where requested by officers, to participate in death notifications and link individuals to victim services or other supports as required
Act as a resource for officer wellness providing system navigation for their own mental health support based on training and orientation to the respective police service’s internal wellness resources
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
To meet and communicate regularly with CMHA Leadership to discuss attendance, scheduling, training needs, professional development, clinical service provisions, work performance and operational changes
Crisis Intervention:
Provide short‑term, psychotherapeutic intervention to assist individuals in gaining insight and improving coping skills within the framework of the crisis model.
Perform in a calm, competent and efficient manner in an emergency situation acknowledging the individual’s need for privacy and dignity.
Utilize harm reduction principles to identify, reduce and remove risk factors.
Crisis Follow‑up:
Refer individuals for additional assessments as is determined to be necessary and/or appropriate
Assist the individual to identify and connect with personal/natural supports
Provide follow‑up support and/or check‑ins to bridge the gap from referral to engagement with a longer‑term support service as appropriate
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 5 weeks to be processed and offers of employment cannot be made without receipt of a PVSC.
We require the following qualifications:
Completed post‑secondary education in a relevant field of study e.g. social work, psychology, or a related discipline (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
Current, satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly
We prefer the following qualifications:
Training in crisis intervention and crisis resolution, including ASIST
Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience working in mental health
Minimum of 2 years’ experience in mental health crisis intervention
Experience with, and detailed knowledge of, mild, moderate & serious mental illnesses, usually gained by several years of working with this population
Experience working in a community‑based setting; preferably with an established network of service & support resources
Extensive knowledge of community resources, service & support programs, and barriers participants face in accessing same
Working knowledge of a variety of treatment, intervention, and support strategies
Valid Driver’s Licence and access to a vehicle with adequate insurance to carry out job duties
Bilingual both official languages, preferred; une préférence sera accordée aux personnes possédant descompétencesdans 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 – May 21, 2026
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 Human.Resources@cmhatv.ca.
Legal Notifications:
For legal purposes our full business name is: Canadian Mental Health Association Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services
Artificial Intelligence is not currently employed in our recruitment processes
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