Counsellor

In order to ensure your application is received by NAIT for thorough review and consideration, please apply directly through our Careers site at

NAIT is seeking a dynamic and seasoned psychologist or social worker to promote student academic retention and success through mental health intervention and referral.

NAIT counsellors work collaboratively with students, staff, and faculty through the provision of short-term, solution-focused, and crisis counselling services in-person and online.

The incumbent must possess strong communication, presentation, organizational, and self-care skills and a keen interest in working within a very supportive team. Specific training and experience working with diverse populations are of particular interest.

The successful candidate will be knowledgeable and enthusiastic in promoting mental health and resilience, particularly for students whose countries or families of origin do not acknowledge mental health help or needs openly; and will thrive in a fast-paced, student-centered work culture that encourages collaboration, flexibility, initiative, and solutions that are both creative and practical.

If you have a minimum of five years' experience dealing with diverse groups of students and work efficiently and conscientiously with minimal supervision, please apply.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide short-term personal and crisis counselling, in-person and virtually.
• File management duties.
• Administer and interpret screening assessments; recommend further assessments or referrals.
• Assist students to access internal and external supports for learning needs, long-term counselling, addictions, medication, learning-in-Canada supports, etc.
• Consult on specific student issues with team members, allied services, and academic staff.
• Facilitate groups & present outreach education or interviews on a range of mental health topics.
• Adhere to relevant legislation, ethics, standards of care, empirically validated counselling practice, and other research/external resources - CBT, ACT, and MI predominate on our existing team.
• Supporting campus-wide mental health initiatives and emergency response.

Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of therapeutic and crisis management theories, practices, and techniques.
• Organizational and team-building skills.
• Ability to respond to diverse circumstances.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external contacts.
• Ability to read legible cursive handwriting.

Qualifications:

• Master's or Doctoral degree in Psychology or Social Work.
• Minimum 5 years' experience as a fully-fledged professional preferred, including counselling people with a broad range of mental health concerns and severities; and counselling adults and assessing risk in crisis situations.
• Experience counselling students within a post-secondary setting preferred, particularly Indigenous and International students.
• Experience facilitating groups is an asset.
• Current registration with the College of Alberta Psychologists or Social Workers is required (at this time, we cannot accommodate applicants in their provisional year of professional registration).

Please note: Office location is on campus - student demand does not support working from home currently. Travel between campuses may be required occasionally. In the event of exceptional client care, extended hours are required occasionally. Early evening availability for conventional appointments is appreciated; while not required by current operational demand, it may be considered in future.

Applicants with education credentials earned outside of Canada should have their credentials evaluated by World Education Services or the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS).

Remuneration: $64, $113,063.86 annually, plus a comprehensive benefits package. (Classification – Educational Counsellor I).

This position is covered by the NAIT Academic Staff Association (NASA) Collective Agreement

Please submit a resume and cover letter to be considered for this opportunity.

About NAIT

We are proud to have been named one of Alberta's Top Employers for 14 consecutive years. Being part of a community that makes a difference in the lives of students, staff, industry clients and partners, NAIT's culture reflects our shared values of respect, collaboration, celebration, creativity, and accountability.

People are what make NAIT great, and we prioritize the employee experience. We offer benefits and unique perks focusing on health and wellness, work-life balance, recognition, and professional and personal growth. In addition to excellent vacation time, we offer paid time off between Christmas and New Year's.

NAIT supports a flexible work environment, enabling staff to request approval for on-campus, off-site, or hybrid work arrangements based on the nature of the role. Please note that remote positions require employees to reside within Canada.

NAIT is committed to fostering an environment that supports equity and cultivates inclusion through our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy. We are a proud partner of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion and Pride at Work Canada. While we encourage all qualified applicants to apply, only those being considered will be contacted. If you require any accommodations, please connect with us at