The role of the Mental Health Counsellor will be providing front-line counselling to children, youth, and adults (office, outreach, virtually), as well as, group sessions, skill building workshops, and psycho-educational information sessions to the community.
Responsibilities:
- Provide counselling services to participants to promote emotional, psychological and social well-being, this includes utilizing a walk-in, strength-based, single session, solution-oriented approach that co-creates an action plan with participants, as well as utilizing a case management approach for complex cases
- Create intervention strategies involving a variety of agency supports in response to highly complex and varying issues, develop and invest in strong working relationships with community partners
- Meet participants, when safe to do so, in various environments conducive and appropriate for case management and intervention support, this may include the office, home, virtual, community, or other agency settings, this may also include doing activities such as walking, biking, swimming or attending appointments with participants
- Provide guidance, consultation and education to other department staff and community partners as it relates to mental health and psychiatric disorders
- Understand and apply legislation including the Mental Health Act; Child Youth and Family Enhancement Act; Children First Act; Freedom of Information and Privacy Act; Health Information Act; Drug-Endangered Children Act, as well as policy and procedure (i.e. Violence, Trauma, Suicide Prevention Protocol)
- Work as part of a larger Family and Community Services Team to provide a continuum of supports
Qualifications and Skills:
- Masters degree in clinical counselling from a recognized post-secondary institution and registration in good standing with an Alberta Regulatory College is required (Masters Degree in Social Work with a clinical or counselling major is preferred)
- A minimum three (3) years in clinical counselling practice with broad-based experience in mental health challenges, family violence, high conflict relationships, crisis intervention, and addiction issues
- Highly developed ability to analyze and interpret situations, apply knowledge of human behaviour, and determine ways to influence the change process is required
- Training and experience using a strength-based, solution focused approach is required
- Knowledge and experience related to the presentation of psychiatric behaviors is required
- Working knowledge of restricted activities under the Health Professions Act is important; authorization to provide restricted activities is an asset
- A strong and current understanding of evidenced based interventions/practices for complex individuals and the ability to liaise, consult, and plan with mental health providers for community-based supports
- Communicates by effectively conveying information and expressing thoughts and facts in a clear and concise manner (both verbal and written)
- Professional skills and judgement are required to respond to highly variable and complex issues arising in counselling sessions and when situations require stabilization
- Ability to be active and engaged in activities such as walking, biking and swimming during outreach sessions
Conditions of Employment:
- Submission of a Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check and Child Intervention Record Check
- Must be eligible to attain and retain enhanced RCMP security clearance, if called upon to work out RCMP detachment
- Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s license and submission of a 5-year Driver’s Abstract with less than 7 demerits
Salary Range: $92,346.80 - $115,479.00
Who We Are:
Strathcona County is a specialized municipality located in the heart of Alberta. Our vision is to become Canada’s most livable community, where our workplace culture and identity are supported by our people plan and values of integrity, respect, safety, fairness, and cooperation.
Why Join Strathcona County: (depending on position)
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
- Extended health and dental coverage
- Health and wellness spending account
- Life and disability insurance and critical illness programs
- Retirement and pension programs
- Paid and unpaid leave programs
- Earned day off program
- Employee and family assistance program
- Commitment to employee development, through internal and external training and development opportunities
- Well-being programs and a safety culture focused on physical and psychological health in the workplace
Equivalencies of education and experience may be considered.
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies for similar positions within the next 6 months.
Strathcona County is committed to an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace that represents the community we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who can contribute diverse perspectives and experiences.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
