Youth & Family Counsellor - Foundry

This position includes a comprehensive 100% employer-paid benefit package, enrolment in our defined benefit pension plan (Municipal Pension Plan), and three weeks of paid vacation.

Please note this is a temporary position, covering a leave of absence that is estimated end approximately June 26, 2026.

Applicants must be authorized to work in Canada and at our organization on an ongoing basis.

The John Howard Society of North Island is an employment equity employer.

This position is open to applicants of all genders.

This position requires union membership and the completion of two criminal record checks.
- Job Title: _Youth and Family Counsellor - Foundry
- Work site:_**Courtenay, Campbell River
- Service Area_**Comox Valley and Campbell River
- Program:_**Foundry
- Benchmark: _Integrated: Family Counsellor and Addictions Counsellor
- Grid Level: _Grid**14, Paraprofessional
- Reports to:_**Program Manager

**Summary**:
The Youth and Family Counsellor - Foundry provides assessment, counselling, referral, and follow up services to youth and families with challenges associated with mental health and/or substance use. The Youth and Family Counsellor - Foundry will provide single session brief walk in counselling services that reduce risk, promote positive choices for a healthier lifestyle, and support youth and family’s connection, stability, and attachment to community.

This program is part of an integrated service delivery model (Foundry) using ongoing collaboration with Primary Care, Youth and Family Substance Use Services, Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), and other community partners and resources as needed.

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**:
To perform the job successfully, the counsellor must be able to perform both the general and specific duties in a consistent and satisfactory manner. Other duties may be assigned.
- Provide single session brief solution focused counselling in a drop-in model centre.
- Provides individual, family, and group counselling using therapeutic techniques drawn from theoretical frameworks such as emotion focused family therapy (EFFT), brief solution-focused, narrative, motivational interviewing, client directed outcome informed, harm reduction or other best or promising practice.
- Establishes and maintains coordinated working relationships with other human service providers and caregivers.
- Provides crisis intervention and support to children, youth, and their families when required.
- Refers youth and their families as necessary to other services, residential programs, support groups, etc. Efforts are made to reduce or eliminate barriers for clients needing to use a resource. Provides follow-up and support in these situations when required.
- Maintains client records and provides statistics and reports as required.
- Participates in regular clinical consultation and supervision.

**Qualifications**:
The requirements listed below detail the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform the essential duties of the job.

**Education and/or Experience**:
A bachelor’s degree in social work or in a related human services field, with specialized training or experience in the area of mental health. Two (2) years’ experience which should include:

- Experience working with high-risk youth, and their families, with mental health and substance use issues in a counselling or other helping capacity.
- Experience in planning and leading educational, counselling, or support groups.
- Experience in working with, and extensive knowledge of, mental health issues.
- Remaining up to date in professional knowledge and practice.

**Counselling Skills**:

- Demonstrated ability to use counselling techniques and approaches.
- Knowledge and experience with brief and comprehensive assessment, counselling, and treatment approaches.
- Knowledge and experience in maintaining confidentiality and appropriate boundaries, and following a professional code of ethics.

**Case Management Skills**:

- Demonstrated ability to work constructively and cooperatively in a team setting.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge and experience in integrated case management practices that involve families, community, MCFD, and other systems in case planning with youth.
- Knowledge and experience with case recording practice.
- Knowledge and experience with referral, screening, and case conferencing practices.
- Knowledge of community resources for youth and families.
- Ability to utilize clinical consultation and supervision to enhance and meet required standards of practice.

**Group Facilitation Skills**:

- Demonstrated ability to plan, lead, and evaluate groups.
- Knowledge and experience with group education, skill building, counselling, and support techniques.

Some driving is required to attend meetings and to enable contact with youth/families at home or in the community. The counsellor must have a valid driver's licence and safe, reliable transportatio