Counsellor – Probationary Continuous

Position is open until filled, first review of applications will start on July 23, 2026.

Counsellor – Probationary Continuous

Faculty at Red Deer Polytechnic:

• Are passionate about teaching, learning, and student success.
• Pursue professional learning to continually enhance their practice and their discipline.
• Are recognized for their contributions to both local and global communities.

As Red Deer Polytechnic’s future takes shape, growing our breadth of credentials (to include our own degrees) and programs, our institution has high expectations of our amazing faculty. But we do recognize that new hires may not have all the skills and experiences when applying. We want you to know that there is some flexibility to develop your talents over time.

The initial focus for new faculty will be on teaching and student success with lots of opportunity for professional development, growth and collaboration. Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is committed to all faculty acquiring the identified Key Attributes over time.

The faculty member combines discipline expertise with evidence based teaching to facilitate effective and varied learning experiences.

The faculty member encourages student success in an engaging, supportive environment by being responsive to student needs and ideas.

The faculty member engages in the continuous pursuit of knowledge to maintain currency in their discipline and their teaching practice.

The faculty member has the opportunity to pursue impactful scholarly and creative activities and disseminates knowledge that advances the discipline, enhances the reputation of Red Deer Polytechnic, and improves communities.

The faculty member values engagement, contributing knowledge and their own expertise to the betterment of Red Deer Polytechnic and local communities, as well as discipline-based, national, and global communities.

The Counsellor position is part of a larger multi-disciplinary Student Supports team within the Division of Student Experience. The incumbent works to provide excellent, prevention, intervention, and postvention services that aligns with the National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students. Namely, creating a diverse ecosystem of supports enhancing mental health and well‑being within and beyond RDP.

The Counsellor is a faculty position, and part of Counselling Services. Counselling Services at Red Deer Polytechnic is an inclusive, safe, student-focused, and accessible free service. Counsellors have an awareness of the developmental needs and concerns presented by a diverse post‑secondary student population. Counsellors provide individual and group counselling services to Red Deer Polytechnic students with a focus on strength‑based, brief counselling in a non‑clinical setting.

In addition, Counsellors plan and facilitate workshops and education liaises with diverse internal and external stakeholders and engage in scholarship activities.

• Provide non‑clinical individual and group counselling for RDP students within the Stepped‑Care model.
• Work in accordance with their regulatory and accrediting bodies’ professional responsibilities, ethics, and guidelines (e.g., The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta, The College of Alberta Psychologists; Alberta College of Social Work), particularly:
• Adhering to the limits of confidentiality and understanding the parameters of sharing information.
• Show diplomacy and good judgment in interpreting current RDP values, policies and procedures.
• Maintaining competencies in areas typically associated with a diverse post‑secondary student population, such as intercultural, depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, relationship issues, academic achievement, gender and sexual diversity, financial, career, family relations.
• Work in alignment with RDP’s Student Mental Health Strategy.
• Respond to urgent mental health situations.
• Assess and respond to student progress and risk using formal and informal assessment tools.
• Collaborate…