Indigenous Counsellor

MATTER HERE. Situated on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish peoples, Vancouver Island University is a comprehensive teaching university with 13,000 students across four campuses. VIU proudly fosters student success, strong community connections and meaningful collaborations by providing access to a wide range of programs, from academic undergraduate and master’s to industry-responsive trades and vocational training. VIU provides a learning environment that is accessible and relevant for all learners, celebrates success and acknowledges Indigenous history and traditions.

To be a part of the VIU community is to know what it is like to matter here. We are currently accepting applications for an INDIGENOUS COUNSELLOR.

JOB SUMMARY

As the Indigenous Counsellor, you will provide culturally sensitive, individual counselling, assessment, and crisis intervention services to enrolled students presenting with personal, emotional and mental health issues from a perspective that respects Indigenous ways of being and knowing. You will focus on and promote Indigenous students’ emotional, spiritual and physical well-being; engage Indigenous students through a ‘have lived it’ understanding of the history of Indigenous education; and operate from a place of understanding of traditional concerns and contemporary challenges facing Indigenous students. Developing programs for Indigenous students and fostering relationships with the Indigenous community is second nature to you and at the heart of your work is the goal of supporting VIU's commitment to addressing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action.

Successful candidate selection will be reserved for candidates of Indigenous ancestry, as granted by the Human Rights Tribunal Special Programs pursuant to s. 42(3) of the Human Rights Code. By applying to this position with Special Program Status, you are self-identifying as a person of Indigenous ancestry.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Indigenous Counsellor reports to the Director of Student Affairs the Counsellor. The regular tasks of this position include:

• Providing culturally sensitive individual counselling, assessment, and crisis intervention services to enrolled students presenting with personal, emotional and mental health issues, from a perspective that respects Indigenous ways of being and knowing.
• Assessing and responding appropriately to emergent situations.
• Designing, planning and delivering culturally based workshops and group sessions on a wide range of wellness and personal management topics for students.
• Facilitating workshops for faculty and staff on supporting students in distress and suicide awareness.
• Liaising with and referring students to other services and resources within the University or to agencies/programs in the community as needed to coordinate treatment.
• Maintaining confidential counselling records/databases and providing statistical reports on service delivery as required.
• Acting as a resource on counselling and mental health issues to students, faculty, and staff within the University.
• Participate on Departmental and University committees.
• Acting as a resource on counselling and mental health issues to students, faculty, and staff within the university.

Key Counselling Responsibilities - Experienced based:

• Providing trauma informed counselling: e.g. generational and residential School trauma
• Assessing and intervening appropriately to crisis situations: e.g. suicide ideation.
• Supporting students who have experienced sexual abuse or sexual violence
• Providing grief and loss counseling
• Identifying and supporting students dealing with isolation factors
• Engaging in culturally responsive, holistic approaches including somatic; nature-based; response-based; individual, group and community approaches

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Master's degree in Counselling or equivalent from an appropriately accredited institution.
• Certification with a Professional Association (RCC, RCSW, RSW, CCC or equivalent)
• Minimum three years relevant supervised clinical counselling experience post Master's
• Lived experience and understanding of Indigenous values, needs, history and culture
• The ability to apply an Indigenous knowledge of being and knowing to inform effective counselling techniques
• Demonstrated excellence in crisis management; intervention; problem-solving skills; communication with diverse populations; public speaking; group presentations and group facilitation
• Demonstrated proficiency with technology relevant to the position
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing
• Commitment to ongoing professional development

Selection will be reserved for candidates of Indigenous ancestry as granted by the Human Rights Tribunal Special Programs pursuant to s.42(3) of the Human Rights Code. If you wish to qualify for consideration, you are asked to self-identify in your cover letter.

TO APPLY:

VIU has been awarded a BC’s Top Employer award for the last three years from the Top Employers program. If this is the next step in your professional career, please submit your application online by 27-Jul-2022.

VIU is pleased to offer employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan that takes the worry out of retirement. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts and hybrid work opportunities.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. VIU is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students.  In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences.  We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter. 

The VIU community is grateful to teach, learn, research, live, and share knowledge on the tradition and unceded territories of the Snuneymuxw, Quw’utsun, Tla’Amin, Snaw-naw-as and Qualicum First Nations. With hands raised to the original stewards of this place, we say Hay ch qa’ sii’em sieye’ yu mukw Mustimuxw