Reporting to the Manager, Student Supports and the Academic Chair, School of Access, Business, Creative Industries and Education, with functional reporting to the Manager, Student Wellbeing, you will:

• Provide short term, individual counselling for personal and career issues to NSCC students using various evidence based therapeutic approaches. This includes providing career, academic and personal counselling, as well as guidance and support for students in the Adult Learning Program (ALP), leading to the Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma for Adults.
• Assess students for risk, to self and/or others, make the appropriate intervention for support and follow up, which may include linkages with community agencies.
• Maintain accurate and timely case notes following NSCC guidelines.
• Engage in student intake assessment, data management, orientation and retention support services as you collaborate with both the School of Access, Business, Creative Industries and Education and Student Supports departmental teams, as well as with support agencies.
• Work closely with faculty of the Adult Learning Program.
• Work collaboratively with Student Supports including, Student Accessibility, Student Care Navigator and College and Career Prep staff to ensure seamless services for students presenting with a variety of concerns and needs.
• Participate in monthly Community of Practice and weekly clinical consults for Student Services Counsellors across the Province.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of human rights, equity and diversity, providing culturally sensitive, accessible, responsive, high-quality service and supports.
• Implement student-centred care, trauma-informed approaches for the purpose of supporting student wellbeing.
• Maintain current knowledge and comprehensive understanding of relevant College policies, procedures, and practices, providing accurate information about supports available to students both on and off campus.
• Develop relationships with various on and off campus partners and community resources to foster support services for our students.
• Support and address a variety of student concerns including sexual violence, depression, anxiety, psychosis and grief as examples.
• Create, assess and modify counselling support plans, including for those in crisis and/or at risk, as required, based on student needs and in collaboration with on and off campus resources/ agencies.
• Collaborate on the development of resource materials and lead or support the delivery of student wellbeing initiatives.
• Engage in continual professional development and relevant learning to remain current and responsive in practice, including best practices in post-secondary mental health.
• Support the work of the Students Association and others by being available to offer workshops/presentations as required.
• Assist with Campus events such as Wellbeing activities, Orientation, and Open House.
• Participate in responses to critical incidents happening on a campus, in collaboration with others, working to ensure students are supported.

Qualifications and Occupational Experience:

• The minimum educational qualification for this position is a Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology or Counselling or other Master's degree enabling registration with one of the provincial regulatory bodies noted below.

• Registered with or undergoing candidacy process with the relevant regulatory body: Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT), Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW), Nova Scotia Board of Examiners in Psychology (NSBEP).

• You have a minimum of four years (full-time equivalent) of relevant counselling experience. Experience working with adults and/or in a post-secondary setting would be considered an asset.

• Demonstrated training and experience facilitating psychoeducational groups and workshops including experience in public speaking to various audiences.

• Specific technical occupational knowledge and skill in counselling, conducting psycho-social assessments at intake, screening for learning disabilities, supporting adults facing significant and complex barriers to educational success.

• Experience practicing individual and group counselling, including crisis response, suicide intervention, following best practices in counselling.

• Experience in dealing with confidential files and the ability to respond with sound judgement to crisis situations, seeking consultation as appropriate.

• Experience with single session therapy would be an asset.

• Experience with relevant computer applications such as databases, case file management, Microsoft suite of software, Office 365, digital communication, social media, educational technology and learning platforms.

• You are comfortable working in a digital environment; you take responsibility for acquiring knowledge about advancing technology; and you are committed to using technology to create an exceptional student experience.

Relevant Skills and Knowledge:

• You demonstrate a commitment to the principles of human rights equity and diversity, and can promote a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty.

• You possess excellent coordination skills specifically related to student intake processes, tracking course enrolments, partnering with governmental and community agencies supporting learners including case workers from DCS and Employment NS as well as coordinating work, events, logistics, etc.

• You possess strong task management and priortization skills.

• You possess excellent interpersonal skills that enable you to interact with a diversity of people and support resolution of issues.

• Your superb team working skills enable you to contribute positively to a team environment.

• You are known for your problem solving and critical thinking skills.

• You are a strong communicator.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and independently and display a high degree of initiative.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to respond to a variety of needs of various stakeholders.

• Ability to foster and maintain partnerships with providers, internally and externally, for purposes of liaising, referrals, health promotion, support planning and system navigation.

• Highly developed assessment skills.

• Ability to work independently to manage crises happening on campus.

• You have proven records and information management skills and abilities related to student transcripts, transfer credits, course mapping and tracking graduation pathways.

• You are dedicated to life-long learning and maintain an annual schedule of professional development.

As a condition of employment, Professional Support employees at NSCC must complete a part-time adult education program delivered by NSCC. This adult education program is a significant investment on the part of NSCC in the learning and development of new employees. To achieve regular status; all probationary, full or part-time Professional Support employees of the College must successfully complete the program within their probationary period. Term full-time Professional Support employees whose term appointment is twelve or more months are also required to participate in this program.

NSCC is committed to the full inclusion of all applicants. As part of this commitment, NSCC will ensure that applicants are provided reasonable accommodations, as required. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact Jaclynn Kelly , HR & Talent Consultant, at [email protected]. Our Employee Workplace Accommodation Policy can be found here.

Unfortunately, we can not accept late or paper applications.