Indigenous Student Counsellor

OCAD University (OCAD U) acknowledges the ancestral and traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishnaabe and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we stand and create.

Reporting to the Manager, Indigenous Student Centre (ISC) and working closely with the OCADU Student Wellness Centre team, the Indigenous Student Counsellor provides counselling and support in both the ISC and Student Wellness Centre (SWC). Supported by OCAD University’s (OCAD U) Student Wellness Centre, the Indigenous Student Counsellor delivers culturally appropriate services to support Indigenous student wellness through one-to-one counselling, group activities and workshops focused on the well-being of Indigenous students. The Indigenous Student Counsellor supports the delivery of culturally relevant, experiential, and holistic learning opportunities through the Indigenous Student Centre focused on supporting the cultural, social and emotional success of Indigenous students.

**Summary of Responsibilities**:

- Implement client-centred, trauma-informed strategies for the purpose of supporting students’ wellness, reflective of the students self-determined goals
- Provide personal, crisis and/or short-term counselling and guidance to Indigenous students; based on an Indigenous holistic framework and other therapeutic or theoretical frameworks
- Aid clients in identifying and addressing socio-emotional, mental health, and interpersonal challenges that may be affecting their academic success and well-being
- Coordinate Visiting Elders program and work in collaboration with Elders to support Indigenous students as needed or as requested
- Participate in relevant internal and external consultation meetings that support the overall work of the ISC, SWC, and Indigenous OCAD U and the broader University community
- Maintain current knowledge and comprehensive understanding of relevant University policies, procedures and practices; participate in policy reviews processes in collaboration with Indigenous campus stakeholders
- Develop relationships with internal and external community partners and resources (e.g. Financial Aid & Awards, Student Advising, Safety Security & Campus Operations, Anishnawbe Health Toronto, Native Child & Family Services of Toronto) and provide referrals to other health professionals including general practitioners, psychiatrists, and other specialists as needed
- Respond as required to crises/emergencies under the supervision of the Practice Lead, SWC, Manager, SWC and Manager, Indigenous Student Centre
- Review, re-assess and modify support plans, including those in crisis and/or at risk of self-harm/suicide, as required, based on student needs and in collaboration with the SWC and ISC team and other community supports
- Complete timely documentation according to the Student Wellness Centre and regulatory policies
- Attend weekly ISC and SWC meetings and consultations; liaise with SWC staff and leadership with regards to counselling, case management, professional development, consultation, and crisis management
- Assess for, and when appropriate, recommend non-disability accommodations, and/or short-term academic accommodations, liaising with Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
- Participate in evening, or after-hours programming as required
- Collaborate on the development of resource materials and the delivery of Indigenous mental health outreach for students
- Support the Manager, Indigenous Student Centre and Black Student Counsellor & Practice Lead in other duties that contribute to the successful operation of the Indigenous Student Centre and the Student Wellness Centre

**Qualifications**:

- Post-secondary degree or diploma in Social Work, Social Service Worker, Child and Youth Worker, Psychology, Counselling, Mental Health and Addiction or equivalent with a minimum of 5 years of related training/experience; a combination of equivalent education and/or lived experience will be taken into consideration.
- Masters level education and/or registration with a regulatory body in Ontario considered an asset
- Minimum of five (5) years of training/experience in providing group and individual counselling in a community setting, health/mental health, advocacy, case management, harm reduction, conflict resolution and crisis intervention.
- Familiarity with mental health and behavioural concerns that commonly present in post-secondary students (e.g., depressed/low mood, disordered eating, low self-esteem, anxiety, self-harm, substance use)
- Demonstrated recent, direct experience engaging with Indigenous communities within a mental health capacity
- Understanding of Indigenous issues, including the effects of intergenerational and colonial trauma as well as challenges that indigenous students face in obtaining and participating in post-secondary education
- Understanding and respect of Indigenous cultural knowledge, including traditi