Indigenous Wellness Counsellor

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 69,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Saskatoon is seeking an Indigenous Wellness Counsellor to support Indigenous students' mental health and wellness. This role involves providing counseling services, crisis intervention, and collaborating with various community partners to enhance student success. Candidates must possess a relevant advanced degree and experience in offering support within Indigenous contexts. A commitment to equity and inclusion is essential for this position.

Qualifications

• Must maintain registration with professional association.
• Experience with student development and diversity issues is required.
• Knowledge of Indigenous cultures and protocols is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely assessments and follow-up treatment to students.
• Conduct intake interviews and assess mental health needs.
• Develop plans for crisis management for at-risk students.

Skills

Psychotherapy skills

Crisis intervention

Cultural sensitivity

Interpersonal skills

Education

Doctoral or Master's Degree in Psychology, Education or Social Work/Indigenous Social Work

Job description

Indigenous Wellness Counsellor

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to reflect the community we serve. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Only Indigenous candidates will be considered for this position. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by thedeybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policyand Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship with documentationis a condition of employment and a requirement to hold this position and the successful candidate must maintain those conditions throughout their employment.

PRIMARY PURPOSE:
To contribute to Indigenous student success by addressing the mental health and wellness needs of Indigenous students through the provision of timely and accessible counselling and outreach services.

NATURE OF WORK:
This position is unique at the University of Saskatchewan in that the incumbent will have a professional home within the Student Wellness Centre and the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Centre and is directly connected to an exciting opportunity that the university is undertaking, known as the Oyateki Partnership. The Oyateki Partnership aspires to lead and facilitate transformation to change the lives of Indigenous youth for the better. This collaborative body is comprised of representatives from USask, Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) and Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT). Accordingly, this position will respond to the needs of USask Indigenous students by working closely with the Office of the Vice Provost, Indigenous Engagement (OVPIE), and in collaboration with the Kahkisiw Community of Practice, other USask staff across various portfolios, and Oyateki Project partners. Additionally, this role will contribute to empowering Indigenous USask students, increasing self-efficacy, and improving systems access and navigation in post-secondary education.

The Student Wellness Centre is a Saskatchewan Primary Health Services Site offering progressive interdisciplinary clinical and health education services to a student community numbering approximately 26,500 at the University of Saskatchewan. The Indigenous Wellness Counsellor is a direct report to the Director, Student Wellness with clinical supervision from the Counselling Clinical Lead and works in collaboration with the Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement.

Individual counselors vary in the primary focus of their work in the areas of counselling. They must be able to work in a confidential environment with individuals who are often highly distressed and who frequently need to be assessed and monitored for risk of suicide.

ACCOUNTABILITIES: Counsellors’ responsibilities include the following:

• Share in the responsibility to provide timely initial assessments and follow-up treatment to students
• Conduct intake interviews with new clients and assess their mental health functioning, risk indicators, and treatment needs
• Provide follow-up services, such as brief or episodic psychotherapy (individual, couple, or group), psycho-educational programs, administrative interventions, and referrals
• Perform urgent risk assessment of students who present in crisis, at risk of harm to self or others, and develop plans for risk and crisis management
• Provide physical and mental health education to students either one on one, in groups or through in person or online presentations
• Participate in Oyateki Community of Practice
• Contribute to the preparation of reports, documents, and communications related to the Oyateki Partnership

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
Doctoral or Master's Degree in Psychology, Education or Social Work/Indigenous Social Work are preferred. BISW/BSW candidates may be considered for this position. Registration with the appropriate professional association and eligibility for professional liability insurance is a requirement of this position.

Experience:
A sound knowledge of and experience with student development, diversity and multicultural issues is required. A sound knowledge of Indigenous social, cultural and economic issues is required, as well as having knowledge of Indigenous cultures, protocols, and ways of knowing. Experience providing guidance and support to Indigenous clients. Experience performing urgent risk assessments and crisis intervention related to mental health and suicide is required. Knowledge of the University of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon community resources would be an asset.

Skills:

• Strong psychotherapy skills particularly in the area of brief treatment with primarily a young adult population
• Advanced abilities to conduct clinical interventions and treatment that are informed by a strong working knowledge of psychopathology and assessment
• Advanced ability to assess risk of harm to self and violence to others
• Demonstrates commitment to working respectfully on a team which values and draws on a breadth of clinical perspectives
• Ability to handle interactions and maintain positive relations with diverse clients with tact, discretion, cultural sensitivity, and in a courteous, confidential, and professional manner.

Department: Student Wellness Centre
Status: Term to September 15, 2026
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $69,035.00 - 107,868.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Salary Band 2
Posted Date: 7/23/2025
Closing Date: 8/5/2025
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check: Yes
Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by thedeybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.