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Indigenous Counsellor - Regular Probationary Faculty (Student Affairs & Services)

Job ID4A-11-74-9C-D1-BF
CompanyDouglas College
LocationGreater Vancouver
ProvinceBritish Columbia
Date Posted2021-09-21
Posted Until2021-10-21
Job TypePart-time
Job CategoryService Sector
Description
Position Title: Indigenous Counsellor - Regular Probationary Faculty (Student Affairs & Services)
Posting Number : 00358F
Location : New Westminster/Coquitlam Campus
Position Type : Faculty - Probationary Regular
Posting Type : Internal/External
Regular/Temporary : Regular
Employment Type : Part-Time
Posting Category : Faculty
Start Date 10/01/2021
End Date 09/30/2022

Diversity Statement
Douglas College is committed to being a workplace that is free of discrimination, that values diversity and is representative, at all job levels, of the communities we serve.

Work Arrangements
This is a Regular Part-Time position commencing as early as October 1, 2021.
Workload is assigned each year based on available work.
Regular hours of work 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Work may be at both the David Lam and New Westminster campuses.

What Douglas Offers
DO what you love. Be good at it. That’s how Douglas College defines a great career. It’s a philosophy that resonates through our classrooms, our offices and our boardrooms. It inspires our students and drives us to make Douglas College one of BC’s Top Employers. We love what we do. And we’re looking for passionate, motivated people to join us in making one of Canada’s best colleges even better.

The Role
Douglas College, situated on the unceded, ancestral and traditional territories of the Coast Salish Peoples of the QayQayt and Kwikwetlem First Nations, is fortunate to host a large number of Indigenous students and provides a learning environment that inspires students to do what they love and be good at it.

The Indigenous Counsellor will provide culturally sensitive individual counselling, group/workshop based supports, and crisis intervention services to enrolled Indigenous students. This key position will support Douglas College’s commitment to align practices and processes with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

This role is a faculty position, that reports to the Director of Student Affairs and Services. The Indigenous Counsellor will be an integral part of both Indigenous Student Services and Counselling, within the Student Affairs and Services department.

Acknowledging that the Indigenous Counsellor role is new to Douglas College and will be a unique role with our team, the incumbent will have the opportunity to shape this role and inform how it can best support the needs of Indigenous students. The methods adopted will be responsive, creative, and in keeping with Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

Responsibilities
Provide culturally sensitive individual counselling, assessment, and crisis intervention services to enrolled Indigenous students presenting with personal, career/academic, emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health issues from a perspective that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

Ensure that consistent efforts are made to connect students to their Indigenous culture through cultural teachings (e.g., smudging, cedar/saltwater brushing or ceremonies like the sweat lodge or pipe ceremony) and promote cultural inclusiveness, responsiveness, and sensitivity.

Assess and respond appropriately to urgent situations.

Design, plan and deliver culturally based workshops and/or group sessions on wellness and personal management topics for Indigenous students.

Work closely with members of Student Affairs and Services to support Indigenous students.

Regularly participate in team meetings within Indigenous Student Services and Counselling.

Liaise with and refer Indigenous students to other services and resources within the College or to agencies/programs in the community as needed, to coordinate support.

Consult and support College faculty/staff, who are working with Indigenous Students, on supports available, supporting students with their wellbeing, and navigating appropriate College Policies.

Participate on departmental and College committees.

Serve as a back-up counsellor across the institution (both campuses) as needed.

Maintain confidential counselling records/databases and provide statistical reports on service delivery as required.

Key Counselling Responsibilities – from an Indigenous lens:

o Provide trauma informed counselling: e.g. inter-generational and residential school trauma
o Assess and intervene appropriately to crisis situations: e.g. suicide ideation and threat assessment
o Support Indigenous students who have experienced sexual abuse or sexual violence
o Support student through transitions, career indecision, and with common mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety
o Provide grief and loss counselling
o Provide support to Indigenous students experiencing racism, violence in relationships, lateral violence, and substance misuse
o Identify and support Indigenous students dealing with isolation factors
o Support students with issues related to academic success
o Engage in culturally responsive holistic approaches to develop proactive educational programming and respond to student needs
SalaryIn Accordance With The Current Collective Agreement
Education RequirementsA minimum of a Master’s degree in Counselling or equivalent from an appropriately accredited institution.

Certification with a recognized Professional Association is preferred (e.g. RCC, CCC, RCSW, RSW, or equivalent).
ExperienceThe preferred candidate will be of Indigenous ancestry and/or will have extensive knowledge of and experience with Indigenous organizations and communities.

Experience working in Post-Secondary environment is an asset.

Priority consideration will be given to qualified internal candidates.

Lived experience and understanding of Indigenous values, needs, history and culture.

An understanding and appreciation for Indigenous ways of being and knowing, and how they might apply in a counselling setting.

Demonstrated ability in crisis management, intervention and problem-solving skills.

Experience communicating with diverse Indigenous populations.

Interest and/or experience in public speaking, group presentations and group facilitation.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.

Commitment to ongoing professional development.
LanguagesEnglish
How To ApplyClick "Apply Now"

Interested applicants must ensure that a resume and cover letter are submitted online. This position will remain open until filled. Please ensure your resume clearly explains how you meet the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the position for which you are applying. All candidates selected for interview will need to provide original sealed transcripts for educational credentials noted on their resume.