Child & Family Services Clinical Councellor

Company Overview

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations is a proud First Nations Government dedicated to serving and empowering its community through cultural preservation, governance, and social services. We are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment that values indigenous traditions and community well-being.

Position Summary

The Child & Family Services (CFS) Clinical Counsellor offers holistic support to the members of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations community. The role prioritizes the well-being and healing of individuals, ensuring a balance between cultural traditions and modern therapeutic practices.

This position upholds the values of accountability, respect, and community healing by maintaining detailed and accurate records that reflect the Nation's teachings and providing reports to funders such as the First Nations Health Authority, offering a comprehensive view of the services provided.

Cultural Commitment

The CFS Clinical Counsellor is deeply committed to the cultural values of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, ensuring that all services provided are grounded in the traditional ways of knowing, healing, and understanding. This role actively promotes the Tla-o-qui-aht concept of huu-piits-tulth (helping one another), with the aim of fostering a thriving, healthy community that supports its members in the restoration of balance, wellness, and connection to both the land and each other.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitate cultural healing and wellness activities, including therapy, counselling, group discussions, and community gatherings that honor the traditional teachings of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations.
• Stay well-versed in diverse healing practices, both traditional and contemporary, and guide clients to appropriate resources that resonate with their individual needs.
• Offer ongoing support to Tla-o-qui-aht youth, adults, and families, ensuring that their emotional, spiritual, and mental health needs are met.
• Support the Holding Up Our Women and Girls Project, facilitating safe spaces where women and girls can engage in cultural activities, learn about topics such as sexual health, consent, healthy relationships, trauma, resilience, and abuse prevention, and participate in wellness practices such as self-defence and safety planning.
• Collaborate with Tla-o-qui-aht Elders and cultural leaders to impart knowledge of traditional skills, including language, beading, weaving, regalia-making, harvesting, food and medicine preparation, and cultural ceremonies.
• Organize monthly on the land experiences, such as harvesting, hiking, boat rides, or camping trips, allowing women and girls to connect with the land and the teachings of the Ha'wiih (Hereditary Chiefs).
• Collaborate with Elders and cultural experts to collect and share traditional Nuu-chah-nulth teachings on sexual health, consent, and healthy relationships, developing educational materials and videos for the community.
• Work alongside the Community Services Team to develop and deliver community education focused on prevention, understanding trauma, creating safety, and supporting healthy relationships, using various mediums such as social media, print resources, and workshops.
• Host community gatherings, workshops, and meetings centered on the importance of safety, healing, and resilience, ensuring that community members, especially the most vulnerable, are supported by a strong and caring circle.
• Provide services, support, and referrals to individuals impacted by sexualized violence, abuse, and assault, particularly those disclosing during the Holding Up Our Women and Girls Project.
• Create and distribute resources such as referral forms, pamphlets, and manuals to support community healing.
• Foster partnerships with the Warriors Program and Men's Group to offer joint programming that addresses sexual health, abuse prevention, and consent through culturally relevant teachings.
• Collaborate with other staff to respond to crises, mobilizing the community to support and strengthen one another in times of need.
• Integrate traditional Indigenous healing practices with Western counseling methods, creating a bridge that honors both systems of knowledge.
• Ensure the proper management and confidentiality of client records and documents in accordance with the Nation's policies and practices.
• Approach sensitive matters with discernment and respect, honoring the trust of the community and adhering to the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation's Confidentiality Agreement and Human Resource Policies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specific Job Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills - oral and written.
• Ability to maintain positive, professional working relations with staff, community, and external agencies.
• Conflict resolution and moderation skills.
• High degree of trust and confidentiality.
• Crisis management.
• Detail oriented and accurately processing and prioritizing information.
• Exercise objectivity and transparency.
• An understanding of relevant legislation, policies, and procedures, including knowledge of Child, Family and Community Services Act, Adoption Act, Family Relations Act, Mental Health Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act, BC Benefits Act pertaining to youth services and related Usma/ MCFD policies and procedures
• Must demonstrate tact, discretion and sound judgment while dealing with sensitive issues.
• Knowledge of Tla-o-qui-aht Culture and traditions.
• In-depth knowledge of professional ethics, principles, and practices
• In-depth knowledge of issues related to child development, child protection and providing effective programming
• Ability to orient, train and provide leadership and consultative support to staff
• Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Email, Internet use.
• Acceptable Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector search required
• Current valid Class 5 B.C. driver's license and drivers abstract
• Lifestyle consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the position

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Degree in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, or other related discipline, or comparable combination of education, training, and work experience
• Other Certification, Licenses, Designations and/or Training
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver's License with clean Driver's Abstract.
• Own transportation.
• First Aid with CPR.
• Clear Criminal Records Check including Vulnerable sectors check.

Applications will be accepted until position filled.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $75,000.00-$90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision care
• Wellness program

Work Location: In person