Indigenous Wellness Counsellor

Indigenous Wellness Counsellor Job Code 3258 Department Indigenous Student Centre Employment Type Temporary / Contract Apply Now

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we work, stand and create.

The Indigenous Student Centre (ISC) offers a welcoming environment with a wide range of specialized services to support the academic, cultural, social, and emotional well-being of Indigenous students at OCAD University.

The ISC is a culturally activated space where students can meet, study, or relax between classes. We host weekly events, guest lectures, workshops, visiting artists, field trips and extra-curricular activities supporting Indigenous visual arts and culture.

Reporting to the Manager, Indigenous Student Centre (ISC) the Indigenous Wellness Counsellorprovides holistic, culturally appropriate services, supporting Indigenous student wellness through one-to-one counselling, group activities and workshops focused on the well-being of Indigenous students at OCAD University (OCAD U).

The Indigenous Wellness Counsellor is situated in the ISC and supported by OCAD U’s Student Wellness Centre. Delivering personal, crisis and short-term counselling and guidance to Indigenous students, the Indigenous Wellness Counsellor supports the delivery of culturally relevant, experiential learning opportunities through the Indigenous Student Centre, focused on supporting the cultural, social and emotional success of Indigenous students.

Summary of Responsibilities :

• Implement client-centred, trauma-informed strategies for the purpose of supporting Indigenous students’ wellness, reflective of the students self-determined goals
• Provide personal, crisis and / or short-term counselling and guidance to Indigenous students; based on an Indigenous holistic framework and other therapeutic or theoretical frameworks
• Aid clients in identifying and addressing socio-emotional, mental health, and interpersonal challenges that may be affecting their academic success and well-being
• Work in collaboration with Visiting Elders to support Indigenous students as needed or as requested
• Participate in relevant internal and external consultation meetings that support the overall work of the ISC, Indigenous OCAD U and the broader University community
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of relevant University policies, procedures and practices as it relates to supporting Indigenous students;

providing internal referrals as needed

• Participate as a resource in relevant internal policy and processes reviews in collaboration with Indigenous campus stakeholders as needed
• Develop relationships with internal and external community partners and resources (e.g. Student Wellness Centre, Financial Aid & Awards, Student Advising, Safety Security & Campus Operations, Anishnawbe Health Toronto, Native Child & Family Services of Toronto) and provide referrals to other health professionals including general practitioners, psychiatrists, and other specialists as needed
• Respond as required to crises / emergencies under the supervision of the Manager, Indigenous Student Centre with support from the Manager, Student Wellness Centre
• Review, re-assess and modify support plans, including those in crisis and / or at risk of self-harm / suicide, as required, based on student needs and in consultation with the ISC and SWC team, and other community supports as needed
• Complete timely documentation according to the Student Wellness Centre and regulatory policies
• Attend weekly ISC meetings; liaise with SWC staff and leadership with regards to counselling, case management, professional development, consultation, and crisis management
• Assess for, and when appropriate, recommend non-disability accommodations, and / or short-term academic accommodations, liaising with Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
• Support ISC weekly programming, events and workshops as needed; participate in evening, or after-hours programming as needed
• Support the Manager, Indigenous Student Centre in other duties that contribute to the successful operation of the Indigenous Student Centre

Qualifications :

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience / training in providing group and individual counselling in a community setting, health / mental health, advocacy, case management, harm reduction, conflict resolution and crisis intervention
• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Social Work, Social Service Worker, Child and Youth Worker, Psychology, Counselling, Mental Health and Addiction a combination of equivalent education and / or lived experience will be taken into consideration
• Masters level education and / or registration with a regulatory body in Ontario considered an asset
• Familiarity with mental health and behavioural concerns that commonly present in post-secondary students (e.g., depressed / low mood, disordered eating, low self-esteem, anxiety, self-harm, substance use)
• Demonstrated recent, direct experience engaging with Indigenous communities within a mental health capacity
• Understanding of Indigenous issues, including the effects of intergenerational and colonial trauma as well as challenges that indigenous students face in obtaining and participating in post-secondary education
• Understanding and respect of Indigenous cultural knowledge, including traditional teachings and protocols of the region with respect to working with Elders and Knowledge Keepers
• Demonstrated respect for individual, cultural, community and organizational diversity, including the ability to identify and understand intersecting issues related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, race / ethnicity, immigration status, religion, Indigenous heritage and gender identity
• Demonstrated ability to recognize mental health challenges and onset of mental illness and make timely, appropriate referrals and provide outreach as needed
• Proven judgement, discretion and boundaries in dealing with confidential and sensitive matters and the ability to respond appropriately with sound judgement to crisis situations, seeking consultation as required
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty
• Team player, with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and independently, and display a high degree of initiative
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving skills; ability to respond to variety of needs of various stakeholders
• Strong computer skills with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Compensation : Hiring Range - $36.77 to $42.16 per hour commensurate with experience, plus 4% vacation pay and 7% in lieu of benefits;

Salary Range - $36.77 to $48.33 per hour.

Hours of Work : Monday to Friday, 21 hours per week. This is a temporary, part-time, one (1) year contract .

The incumbent in this role will be expected to report to work on campus.

Application Deadline : The successful applicant will have Indigenous citizenship, connection to an Indigenous community (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) and will have a commitment to Indigenous community development, partnership building, and growing OCAD University’s priority to decolonize and Indigenize art and design education.

Candidates are encouraged to share information in their cover letter about their Indigenous citizenship and relevant experience with Indigenous communities .