Counsellor II – School-Based

Position Summary

The School-Based Counsellor provides direct mental health support to First Nations students who relocate from remote northern communities to attend Sioux North High School (SNHS) in Sioux Lookout during the school year. This full‑time, year‑round position is based on‑site at SNHS, with the counsellor available to students throughout the entire school day, five days a week.

• Diploma in mental health, social services, or a closely related field from a recognised institution (degree preferred).
• Current registration in good standing with a regulated professional body authorised to practice psychotherapy in Ontario (e.g., OCSWSSW, CRPO, CPA).
• Training in suicide risk assessment and prevention, trauma‑informed care, substance use and addictions, intergenerational trauma, grief and loss, and self‑harm intervention.

• Minimum of one (1) year of direct clinical experience providing mental health counselling, preferably with youth.
• Experience working with First Nations communities, with demonstrated application of culturally grounded practices, is an asset.
• Experience responding to high‑risk situations and applying crisis response protocols.

• Skilled in clinical counselling, risk assessment, and youth‑centred care planning.
• Knowledge of the impacts of colonialism, systemic inequities, and historical trauma on Indigenous youth mental health.
• Knowledge of the people, cultures, and mental health realities of First Nations communities in Sioux Lookout and surrounding Northwestern Ontario.
• Understanding of social determinants of health and the challenges youth face when living away from home.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, including Duty to Report, the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, and the Mental Health Act.

• Demonstrated professional integrity, with the ability to maintain confidentiality, ethical boundaries, and strong therapeutic rapport.
• Commitment to organisational policies, procedures, and mission, delivering strengths‑based and client‑centred care.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in clinical documentation.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with school staff, families, and external service providers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective problem‑solving and conflict resolution skills, particularly in high‑pressure or emotionally charged situations.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills to manage a full and flexible caseload.
• Proficiency with electronic health records, scheduling software, and Microsoft Office applications.

• Valid driver’s licence and access to reliable transportation for daily travel to the school.
• Willingness and ability to travel by air to First Nations communities as required.
• Ability to communicate in one or more First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout region is an asset.
• Maintain the ability to perform the requirements of the position on a regular basis.

• Provide individual mental health counselling, case management, and group programming to support youth and reduce engagement in high‑risk behaviours.
• Identify students’ mental health needs, strengths, and risk factors, complete assessments, collaboratively develop treatment goals, and implement appropriate interventions.
• Support students in addressing issues contributing to risk (e.g., bullying, low self‑esteem, academic challenges, relationship difficulties, family stressors, trauma, or emerging mental health concerns).
• Assist students in processing challenges, setting meaningful goals, and developing skills using a client‑centred, strengths‑based, and culturally grounded approach.
• Strengthen coping skills, resilience, emotional regulation, and self‑awareness throughout the school year to prevent the onset or escalation of high‑risk behaviours.
• Promote the development of self‑esteem, personal responsibility, decision‑making capacity, and social skills to reduce risk factors.
• Use evidence‑based and creative therapeutic interventions to prevent or reduce high‑risk…