Youth Wellness Counsellor

Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families is a multi service non-profit organization serving Inuit children, youth, and their families. We are dedicated to providing cultural, educational, and support services in a caring, respectful, and collaborative environment that fosters strong and proud Inuit children and families.

Position: Youth Wellness Counsellor

Hours: 37.5 hours per week – Full-Time Indeterminate based on funding

Salary Range: $55,000 - $69,400 per annum

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Manager of Community Initiatives and Mental Health the Youth Wellness Counsellor provides wholistic mental health and substance use/abuse services to Inuit youth and families through individual and group activities that focus on their mental, physical, spiritual and emotional well-being using a culturally based, trauma-informed and harm-reduction approach.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide high quality individual and group counselling services using a harm-reduction approach;

• Help clients examine their wellbeing including substance use, developing life skills, coping strategies, and engaging in healthy recreational, cultural, and social activities in the community;

• Ensure use of trauma informed practice to support clients and provide culturally and linguistically relevant service;

• Respond appropriately and in a timely manner to crisis situations involving clients; including assessing and addressing risky behaviour (self harm, suicidal ideation); 

• Participate in case management with Inuuqatigiit Centre staff team and including case conferencing with external agencies;

• Develop and facilitate substance use and mental health related group counselling or psychoeducational groups; 

• Complete screenings and assessment for substance use and mental health; 

• Provide education on the relation between substance abuse and trauma, alcohol/drug information, harm reduction, emotional regulation, and management of triggers; 

• Provide clients with thorough and effective case management; 

• Refer youth/parents to appropriate services as required and document the results of these referrals;

• Utilize harm reduction and evidence based therapeutic approaches; 

• Provide education and support in the distribution and use of Naloxone kits;

• Incorporate traditional values and culture-based practices into the therapeutic work to promote wellness and healing; and 

• Document individualized healing and/or safety plans for individuals;

• Keep all case notes and clinical information secured in locked cabinet;

• Maintain accurate client information in the Inuuqatigiit Centre client database;

• Meet all tracking, evaluation, and reporting requirements of fund and Inuuqatigiit Centre (e.g. attendance, project statistics, project targets, surveys, completing Incident/Accident reports etc.); and

• Be available to consult with Agency staff regarding issues related to substance abuse.

ACCOUNTABILITY

• Accountable to support clients: youth and parents, caregivers as required;

• Accountable for the safety and security of clients, including on-going assessment of client status, possibility of harm to self or others and related mental health information;

• Accountable for maintaining client confidentiality and privacy of personal information, including client files, as per the agency’s policies

• Accountable for incorporating cultural counselling perspectives in client services; and

• Adhere to and promote the mandate, workplan and mission of Inuuqatigiit Centre.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must demonstrate stress resistance and stamina in working with youth and children; 

• Ability to function effectively in a high stress environment; 

• Willing to work flexible hours as needed to meet programming and client needs; 

• Ability to work in a collaborative staff team environment; 

• Provide service in office and on an outreach basis; and

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of the needs of Inuit youth and issues faced by Inuit parents/caregiver;

• Knowledge of Inuit and non-Inuit community services and supports;

• Knowledge of the socio determinants of health and intergenerational trauma that may impact Inuit youth and families;

• Knowledge of Inuit and non-Inuit community services and supports;

• Enthusiasm, flexibility, dedication, and commitment to the well-being of Inuit children, youth, and families;

• Ability to communicate effective orally, in writing and in English;

• Ability to operate computer systems and relevant software;

• Strong organizational, program planning and problem-solving skills;

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Inuit descent preferred;

• Fluency in Inuktitut preferred;

• Respect for the Inuit traditions, values, and norms of clients;

• Post-secondary education in related field including courses in addictions and trauma;

• Minimum of 2 year’s experience providing alcohol, drug and mental health counselling

• Registration with recognized professional body preferred or willingness to obtain;

• Certification in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills is an asset;

• Experience working with Indigenous populations is an asset;

• Experience providing individual and group counselling related to substance abuse: harm reduction, prevention, treatment, and aftercare;

• Comply with Standards of Professional Conduct and Oath of Confidentiality;

• Current Police Records Check-Vulnerable Sector required in keeping with Inuuqatigiit Centre’s Personnel Policies and Procedures;

• Medical certification of good health and record of up-to-date immunizations;

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccine (Dose 1 & 2); • TB Test, if applicable;

• ASIST, First Aid/CPR Certification (or willingness to become certified); and

• Valid drivers licence an asset.

Please apply with cover letter and up-to-date resume before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 3, 2021

Shelley Watkin, Human Resources Manager

Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families

352 Crete Place

Ottawa, ON K1L 7K7

613-744-3133

hrmanager@inuuqatigiit.ca

We thank all who apply for this position. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

When two equally qualified candidates are considered for the same position, preference will be given to the candidate of Inuit descent.