Mental Health Professional

Northern Gateway School Division; Whitecourt; On-site; CAD 86,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Provincial peer consultation

Specialized training

Professional learning through ISSP

Job summary

Northern Gateway Public Schools is seeking a compassionate Mental Health Professional to support students at Pat Hardy Elementary School in Whitecourt, AB. You will provide school-based mental health interventions, consultation, and targeted supports within a collaborative ISSP framework.

The role involves early identification, caseload management, and collaboration with pediatricians, community partners, and families to advance student well-being and academic success.

Qualifications

• MSW preferred for licensure and practice.
• Master's level training in counseling or equivalent.
• Expertise in trauma-informed practices and child development.

Responsibilities

• Provide school-based mental health assessment, consultation, and brief/therapeutic interventions.
• Identify learning, emotional, behavioural, social, or mental health concerns early.
• Manage a caseload of students requiring individualized support; contribute to school wellness initiatives.
• Offer in-class consultation and support to assist teachers with student dysregulation.
• Provide guidance to teachers, school administration, and families on trauma, emotional regulation, and attendance.
• Collaborate with external professionals and agencies to coordinate student support pathways.
• Engage with the school community through events and learning activities.
• Complete AFWI Brain Story Certification within 12 months and participate in ISSP learning networks.

Skills

Child development

Trauma-informed care

Emotional regulation

Play Therapy

CBT

Theraplay

Education

MSW preferred

Master's degree in Counseling or related field

Job description

About Northern Gateway Public Schools

Northern Gateway Public Schools (NGPS) is seeking a compassionate, dynamic, and qualified Mental Health Professional (MHP) to support students and families at Pat Hardy Elementary School in Whitecourt, AB.

The Integrated School Support Program (ISSP) is a comprehensive, school-based wellness model managed in partnership with the Calgary Police Youth Foundation (CPYF) and funded by the Government of Alberta Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction. ISSP embeds coordinated support directly into participating schools to strengthen protective factors for children, foster resilience, improve engagement, and promote positive social-emotional development. The program integrates five core pillars: mental health supports, daily nutrition programming, daily physical activity, structured school-based programming, and positive police engagement.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

As the ISSP Mental Health Professional, you will provide school-based mental health interventions, consultation, and support tailored to elementary school students. Key accountabilities include:

• Assessment & Therapeutic Support: Provide assessment, consultation, brief interventions, individual/group support, and therapeutic programming within your professional scope of practice.
• Early Identification: Support early screening and identification of learning, emotional, behavioural, social, or mental health concerns.
• Caseload Management & Prevention: Manage an appropriate caseload of students needing individualized support while contributing to school-wide wellness and early prevention activities.
• Classroom & Unstructured Support: Provide in-class consultation or support to assist teachers with student dysregulation, and support students during unstructured times such as arrival, dismissal, recess, and lunch.
• Staff & Caregiver Consultation: Provide guidance, feedback, and strategies to teachers, school administration, and families regarding trauma, emotional regulation, behaviour, and attendance.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Consult with external professionals and agencies—including pediatricians, CASA, 211, and community mental health providers—to coordinate student support pathways.
• Community Engagement: Build positive relationships across the school community through visible participation in school events, parent-teacher conferences, and community engagement activities.
• Professional Learning & Program Standards: Complete the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative (AFWI) Brain Story Certification within 12 months, participate in CPYF's monthly ISSP Community of Practice, and assist with program data collection and reporting.

Qualifications & Requirements

Applicants must hold active registration/licensure under one of the following recognized professional categories:

• Registered Social Worker (RSW): Licensed by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Master of Social Work (MSW) preferred.
• Registered Counsellor: Registered with the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA) or the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) with specialized master's-level training.

Additional Knowledge & Competencies

• Demonstrated expertise in child development, trauma-informed practices, emotional regulation strategies, and evidence-based therapeutic modalities (e.g., Play Therapy, CBT, Theraplay).
• Proven experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary school teams and community agencies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, crisis intervention capabilities, and organizational ability to track service outcomes.
• Total Compensation & Benefits
• Salary Range: $86,000 - $100, 000 annually
• Professional Growth: Access to provincial peer consultation, specialized training, and collaborative professional learning through the ISSP network.