Indigenous Counsellor - Sessional (August 2026 - June 2027)

Mohawk College • Hamilton, ON

2d • CA$77,153 - CA$133,752 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Manager, Indigenous Student Services, the Indigenous Counsellor provides culturally responsive counselling and support to Indigenous students, helping them address personal, social, and educational challenges that may affect their learning and well‑being. The role supports Indigenous students on campus working collaboratively to promote student success, holistic wellness, and culturally safe supports in alignment with Mohawk College’s commitment to meaningfully advance Truth and Reconciliation.

Requirements

• Masters-level degree in a counselling related professional discipline (Social Work, Counselling, Psychology, Mental Health Nurse, Indigenous Studies or other closely related discipline) that includes a supervised clinical internship(s).
• Must have and maintain the right to practice the psychotherapy within the province of Ontario. Registered with OCSWSSW, CRPO, or equivalent professional college.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge with Indigenous communities including knowledge and sensitivity to the diverse needs of Indigenous, Metis and Inuit students.
• Experience designing & building programs and workshops to support Indigenous experience and supporting clients in this area.
• Demonstrated ability in crisis intervention.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for effective communication, relationship-building, educating, and supervising within a diverse setting is required.
• Demonstrated flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to changing demands.
• Demonstrated commitment to personal integrity, human rights, equity, diversity, and inclusion with experience working effectively inter-culturally with diverse groups of students, employees, and the community.
• Counsellor will be required to travel to all of the campuses including those in partnership with Mohawk (such as Six Nations Polytechnic).

Nice To Haves

• A minimum of 5 years of full-time experience providing counselling and/or psychotherapy in a mental health setting, with a proven record of adhering to professional and ethical standards (preferred).
• Proficiency in using technology to compliment clinical care and experience using an EMR/CRM platform strongly preferred.
• Experience with counselling in the post-secondary environment is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Collaboration with Indigenous Student Services.
• Develop, facilitate and maintain appropriate counselling supports for Indigenous students. Emphasis on students with increased risk levels.
• Development of continuity of supports with a focus of ongoing wellness and mental health supports within the college and surrounding communities.
• Facilitate access to internal and community services to support student needs.
• Individual appointment and/or group sessions to be developed and offered, relevant to students as they manage college life.
• Counselling support on an individual and group basis with regards to personal and complex mental health issues.
• Assisting the student in their transition from home communities to the college environment to ensure students are welcomed and supported.
• Facilitation of information with an Indigenous world view to the students’ unique needs for educational decision making, career planning and personal issues.
• Advocacy and collaboration with College Administration, faculty and staff, in a consultative role, in identifying gaps in service, shifting of student needs and continuity of support services available to Indigenous students.
• In Collaboration with key stakeholders and community partnerships, develop and implement, within the college, a variety of groups and awareness promotions that promote Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
• Work with community organizations to support the complex needs of students in planning their post-secondary school pathway and mental health needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• We are committed to fostering inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level