Counsellor-Contract Position

The Immigrant Education Society; Calgary; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health benefits

Dental benefits

RRSP matching

Paid vacation & stat holidays

Job summary

The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) is seeking a contract Mental Health Counsellor in Calgary. You will provide short-term counselling, psychoeducation, and supportive interventions to newcomers and at-risk individuals through the Healthy Minds program.

Reporting to the Manager of Mental Health and Family Wellbeing, you will support resilience, coping, and access to community resources, using trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related mental health discipline with counselling/therapy specialization.
• Active registration or licensure to practice in Alberta.
• Minimum 2 years counselling or psychotherapy experience.
• Experience with diverse populations, including newcomers and refugees.

Responsibilities

• Provide virtual, telephone, and in-person counselling for individuals, families, and groups.
• Conduct intake screening and service planning for clients.
• Develop collaborative treatment goals and monitor progress.
• Deliver short-term counselling and psychoeducation using evidence-based approaches.
• Assess risk and respond with appropriate interventions or referrals.
• Facilitate workshops and present trainings as requested.
• Refer clients to community services and supports as needed.
• Maintain accurate documentation and complete required reports.
• Participate in clinical supervision and team meetings.
• Deliver services in a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, culturally safe manner.

Skills

Advanced counselling skills

Trauma-informed care

Cultural responsiveness

Risk assessment & safety

Strong written/verbal communication

Independent yet collaborative

Education

Master's in Counselling or related field

Current licensure/registration to practice counselling in Alberta

Tools

Microsoft Office

Zoom

Microsoft Teams

Job description

The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) is a not-for-profit registered charitable organization that has been actively serving newcomers and low-income Calgarians since 1988. TIES' primary goal is to provide immigrants and economically disadvantaged individuals with a solid foothold in Canada and afford them the opportunities to feel belonging in their new community.

To provide high-quality, innovative language education, economic empowerment support, and holistic services for newcomers and Canadians in need, along with community-based research that benefits the broader community.

At TIES, we offer more than a job . We offer the opportunity to shape inclusive systems, strengthen communities, and contribute to meaningful social change. Our work is grounded in our values of Togetherness in Action, Inclusivity by Design, Empowerment with Purpose, and Strength in Curiosity.

About the Position

• Position Title: Counsellor
• Job Type: Contract
• Department: Mental Health and Family Wellbeing
• Reports to: M anager, Mental Health and Family Wellbeing

Summary of Role

Reporting to the Manager, Mental Health and Family Wellbeing, the Mental Health Counsellor provides short-term mental health counselling, psychoeducation, and supportive interventions to vulnerable Calgarians accessing the Healthy Minds program. The Counsellor supports clients in building resilience, improving coping skills, and enhancing emotional well-being while facilitating access to appropriate community resources and services.

The Counsellor is expected to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and client-centered services, empowering clients to better manage stress, life transitions, and mental health concerns. Healthy Minds is intended to address immediate and mid-term mental health needs. Long-term or maintenance therapy for persistent and complex mental health conditions falls outside the scope of the Healthy Minds program.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide virtual, telephone, and/or in-person individual, family, and group counselling services aimed at improving client well-being and resilience.
• Conduct intake screening, and service planning to determine client needs and program suitability.
• Develop collaborative treatment goals and regularly review client progress throughout service delivery.
• Provide short-term counselling and psychoeducational support using evidence-informed therapeutic approaches.
• Assess client risk and safety concerns and implement appropriate intervention, referral, or crisis response measures as required.
• Facilitate mental health, wellness, and psychoeducational workshops and presentations as requested by the program.
• Make appropriate referrals to community services, specialized mental health supports, and other resources based on client needs.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and professional clinical documentation in accordance with program standards, professional practice requirements, and applicable legislation.
• Complete monthly worklogs, service reports, and other program documentation as required.
• Participate in case consultations, clinical supervision, and clinical practice meetings as required.
• Provide services in a culturally responsive, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and inclusive manner.
• Maintain professional, ethical, and legal standards established by the applicable regulatory or professional body.
• Comply with all Healthy Minds program policies, procedures, confidentiality requirements, and practice standards.

Core Competencies

• Advanced counselling and therapeutic intervention skills supported by graduate-level training.
• Strong case conceptualization, and treatment planning abilities.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based approaches.
• Ability to establish rapport and work effectively with clients from diverse cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and lived-experience backgrounds.
• Skilled in cross-cultural communication and awareness of barriers that may impact access to mental health services.
• Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to risk, crisis, and safety concerns.
• Knowledge of community resources and referral pathways to support client needs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Experience using Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other virtual service delivery platforms.
• Strong organizational, time management, reliability, and punctuality.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Requirements / Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree in Counselling Psychology , Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Clinical Social Work, or a related mental health discipline with a counselling and/or therapy specialization.
• Current registration, licensure, or certification in good standing with the applicable regulatory or professional body authorized to practice counselling and/or psychotherapy in Alberta.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience providing counselling, psychotherapy, or mental health support services.
• Experience providing individual, family, and/or group counselling services.
• Experience working with culturally diverse populations, including newcomers, immigrants, refugees, and vulnerable individuals.
• Experience conducting mental health case formulation, treatment planning, risk assessments, crisis intervention, and community referrals.

Requirements

• Ability to provide counselling services in Ukrainian is preferred.
• Current professional liability insurance and ability to maintain coverage throughout the contract period.
• Police Information Check, including a Vulnerable Sector Search.
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, anti-oppressive, and client-centered practices.
• Excellent case formulation, documentation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other virtual service delivery platforms.

Schedule of Work

• Schedule will be determined by mutual agreement based on counsellor availability and program needs.
• Changes to regularly scheduled hours generally require a minimum of two weeks' notice.
• Contractors are expected to provide a minimum number of service hours annually, as agreed upon in advance.
• Any hours exceeding those outlined in Schedule B must receive prior approval from the program.
• Participation in a minimum of three clinical practice meetings during the contract period is required.
• Participation in supervision, case consultation, and professional development activities may be required as determined by program needs.

What We Offer

Your wellbeing matters here. TIES offers a comprehensive total rewards program that supports your health, balance, and professional growth, including:

• Competitive salary and a focus on health and wellbeing, including access to employer paid extended health benefits, dental benefits, and employer matched RRSP contributions
• Commitment to your mental wellbeing with free and confidential support through the Employee & Family Assistance Programs
• Work life balance, including paid vacation, personal days, and paid statutory holidays
• Supportive work environment, staff celebrations with training and development opportunities

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity or expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, place of origin, source of income, mental and physical disability, age or veteran status.

Join Our Team

The successful candidate must complete a Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and a Child Intervention Record Check.

Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found.

TIES is committed to providing reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. To request accommodation, please contact us.