Student Services Counsellor, Personal and Career (PS)

What you'll do

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Student Services, with functional reporting to the Manager, Student Wellbeing, you will:

• Provide short term, individual counselling for personal and career issues to NSCC students using various evidence based therapeutic approaches. You will assess students for risk, harm to self and/or others, make the appropriate intervention for support and follow up, which may include linkages with community agencies. You will maintain accurate and timely case notes.
• Work collaboratively with the Student Supports including, Student Accessibility, Student Care Navigator and College and Career Prep staff to ensure seamless services for students presenting with a variety of concerns and needs.
• Participate in monthly Community of Practice and weekly clinical consults for Student Services Counsellors across the Province.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of human rights, equity and diversity, providing culturally sensitive, accessible, responsive, high-quality service and supports.
• Implement student-centred and care, dignified, trauma-informed approaches for the purpose of supporting student wellbeing.
• Maintain current knowledge and comprehensive understanding of relevant College policies, procedures, and practices, providing accurate information about supports available to students both on and off campus.
• Assess students in need of emergency housing, using a provided framework
• Support a variety of student concerns including sexual violence, depression, anxiety, psychosis and grief as examples.
• Support and collaborate with the work of the Student Care Navigator, academic partners, housing, and others in addressing behaviours of concern, supporting students with individualized plans.
• Create, assess and modify counselling support plans, including those in crisis and/or at risk, as required, based on student needs and in collaboration with on and off campus resources/ agencies.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation according to NSCC practices.
• Assess for, and when appropriate, recommend accommodations related to mental health issues, liaising with other NSCC staff as required.
• Collaborate on the development of resource materials and lead or support the delivery of student wellbeing initiatives
• Develop relationships with various on and off campus partners and community resources to foster support services for our students.
• Engage in continual professional development and relevant learning to remain current and responsive in practice, including best practices in post-secondary mental health
• Support the work of the Students Association, Housing and others by being available to offer workshops/presentations as required.
• Assist with Campus events such as Wellbeing Activities, Orientation, and Open House.
• Participate in responses to critical incidents happening on a campus, in collaboration with others, working to ensure students are supported.

What you'll need

Qualifications

Qualifications and Occupational Experience:

• The minimum educational qualification for this position is a Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology or Counselling.

• Registered with or undergoing candidacy process with regulatory body: Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT), Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW), Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology (NSBEP).

• You have a minimum of four years (full-time equivalent) of relevant counselling experience. Experience working with adults and/or in a post-secondary setting would be considered an asset.

• Demonstrated training and experience facilitating psychoeducational groups and workshops including experience in public speaking to various audiences.

• Experience practicing individual and group counselling, including crisis response, suicide intervention/following best practices in counselling.

• Experience in dealing with confidential files and the ability to respond with sound judgement to crisis situations, seeking consultation as appropriate.

• Experience with single session therapy would be an asset.
• Experience with relevant computer applications such as databases, case file management, Microsoft suite of software, Office 365, digital communication, social media, educational technology and learning platforms.

• You are comfortable working in a digital environment; you take responsibility for acquiring knowledge about advancing technology; and you are committed to using technology to create an exceptional student experience.

Relevant Skills and Knowledge:

• You demonstrate a commitment to the principles of human rights equity and diversity, and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty.

• You possess excellent interpersonal skills that enable you to interact with a diversity of people and support resolution of issues.

• Your superb team working skills enable you to contribute positive to a team environment

• You are known for your problem solving and critical thinking skills.

• You are a strong communicator.

• You possess excellent coordination skills specifically related to coordinating service, work, events, logistics, etc. and managing priorities and time management.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and independently and display a high degree of initiative.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to respond to a variety of needs of various stakeholders.

• Ability to foster and maintain partnerships with providers, internally and externally, for purposes of liaising, referrals, health promotion, support planning and system navigation.

• Highly developed assessment skills.

• Ability to work independently to manage crises happening on campus.

• You are dedicated to life-long learning.