Indigenous Clinical Counsellor

Are you a caring, motivated individual committed to reducing and preventing homelessness among First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples? The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society (ACEH) is looking to hire a dedicated Indigenous Clinical Counsellor(s) to join our culturally supportive wraparound care team. This team includes Cultural Mentors, Outreach Workers, Housing Navigators, the Land-Based Healing team, the Youth team, Registered Nurses, and the YEḴ,ÁUTW̱ Justice team, all working together to support Indigenous peoples on their pathways to healing and recovery.

As the Indigenous Clinical Counsellor(s), you will support Family Members (clients) through land-based activities, at ACEH’s Culturally Supportive Houses, the downtown office, and through community outreach. In addition to one-on-one sessions, you will provide Family Members with culturally supportive and accessible healing methods such as group sessions, healing circles, and virtual modalities. You will also offer periodic workshops, provide referrals, develop accessible resources, and participate in case management to enhance the overall care of Family Members.

JOB DETAILS:

Start Date: Immediately

Position Type: Part-time, 16 hours per week.

Wage: $47 per hour.

Location: 736 Broughton Street, Victoria, BC; and other ACEH sites as required.

Application Submission: You are required to submit a resume and cover letter that highlights Indigenous community/organization involvements, education, certification, demonstrated contract experience, Indigenous ancestry, and how your knowledge, skills, and abilities will support and contribute to the ACEH and our community through a cultural lens.

Applications missing a cover letter will be automatically screened out of the selection process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build strong, trusting relationships with Indigenous Street Family Members across our programs, culturally supportive housing sites: the Youth House, Spaken House, House of Courage, Sacred Cradle House, and especially Family Members living independently through the Culturally Aligned Integrated Support (CAIS) Program.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the CAIS program model by offering clinical and cultural input.
• Support Family Members with referrals to treatment, health, and wellness programs as needed.
• Attend land-based healing events to connect with Family Members and strengthen relationships.
• Organize monthly workshops or gatherings focused on health, wellness, and cultural teachings.
• Co-facilitate healing circles with guidance from Cultural Mentors and Elders.
• Take part in case management and team meetings, contributing to collaborative care planning.
• Provide clinical counselling through a range of approaches, including:
• Psychotherapy, assessment, and intervention
• Crisis support and single-session therapy
• Psychoeducation and individualized care/healing/treatment plans
• Aftercare planning in collaboration with Family Members
• Record sessions and interactions in ACEH’s Case Administration and Management System (CAMS) on a daily basis.
• Support with on-site conflict resolution using de-escalation and non-crisis intervention techniques.
• Prepare monthly statistical reports for the CAIS Manager and Development Manager, summarizing interactions, sessions, referrals, and outcomes.
• Within the first three months, work toward providing up to five counselling sessions per day, supporting a caseload of approximately 25–50 Family Members depending on individual needs. 

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in counselling, psychology, or a related social service discipline.
• Registered and in good standing with BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.
• Minimum of 2 years experience working with Indigenous peoples and/or community counselling.
• Experience with counselling young adults and/or families is an asset.
• Preference is given to applicants who have experience working with people who are unhoused.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Progressive understanding of persistent mental illness, addictions, and other challenges and how these impact people’s overall health, well-being, spirit, and quality of life.
• Ability to work in a relational, professional, and non-judgmental manner as you are working with a broad range of personalities, needs, cultures, lived experiences and abilities.
• Ability to effectively respond and adjust to unexpected events, assess high-risk situations, problem-solve, provide crisis intervention, and manage conflict in a culturally supportive manner.
• Ability to work independently and effectively respond to and manage competing demands while adhering to deadlines.
• Effective written, electronic, and verbal communication skills to facilitate interprofessional collaborative practice, healthy and culturally safe environments, and a respectful workplace for community members, staff, guests, and volunteers.
• Understanding of the intergenerational trauma that occurs because of colonization, Residential Schools, Sixties Scoop, and other oppressive systems as well as the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Required:

• Criminal Record Check through the Ministry of Justice for working with vulnerable adults.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification.
• Two professional references.
• Valid BC Drivers License.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates with Indigenous ancestry. The ACEH values strength in diversity. As an inclusive employer that celebrates the gifts of all its employees, we encourage members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community to apply.