Mental Health Specialist - Clinical Counsellor or Social Worker

WorkSafeBC; Richmond; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A public safety organization is seeking a Mental Health Specialist to support injured workers in psychological distress. The role involves reviewing risk reports, collaborating with stakeholders, and providing compassionate support to vulnerable clients. The ideal candidate will have a master’s degree in a related field, relevant experience, and the ability to effectively manage mental health crises. This position offers a hybrid work model and competitive compensation.

Benefits

Defined benefit pension plan

3 weeks of vacation

Extensive health care and dental benefits

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Over four years of relevant experience with a master's degree or six years with a bachelor's degree.
• Registration with a professional college is required.
• Valid B.C. driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Review suicide risk reports and prepare Mental Health Service Plans.
• Support communication of claims decisions to vulnerable workers.
• Build partnerships with clients at risk of suicide.

Skills

Understanding of mental health issues

Critical incident support

Facilitating understanding and resolving conflict

Education

Master's degree in social sciences or related discipline

Bachelor's degree in social work

Job description

Overview

Are you a professional in the field of mental health with experience supporting people in psychological distress? We have an opportunity for a Mental Health Specialist to provide supportive interventions to injured workers in their recovery and return to work.

You’ll work in partnership with WorkSafeBC clients in distress, with internal staff, and with external stakeholders to identify and respond to risk situations. You’ll play an integral role in providing support to injured workers and their families during periods of psychological distress, collaborate with community mental health resources and service providers, and serve as a resource to claims management teams throughout the province.

How you’ll make a difference: You’ll provide compassionate, supportive service to people injured at work.

Where you’ll work

At WorkSafeBC, we currently offer a hybrid work model that combines working remotely, and in our offices, based on the operational needs of the position.

What you’ll do

• Receive and review WorkSafeBC suicide risk reports, investigate, assess, and then prepare a Mental Health Service Plan that identifies risks, provides supports, and makes recommendations to WorkSafeBC staff regarding how to best communicate with the vulnerable worker.
• Support, and in some cases communicate appellate body claims decisions to vulnerable workers, including traumatized clients and workers at risk for suicide.
• Share your experience with internal colleagues and claims management staff to empower/encourage/mentor them to effectively manage complex mental health issues.
• Communicate and uphold the mandate of WorkSafeBC to manage the risk of suicide in the most supportive way to clients, their families, external stakeholders, and WorkSafeBC staff.
• Build partnerships and networks with clients at risk of suicide and their families, internal staff, and other stakeholders to establish positive long‑term relationships.
• Deliver presentations on suicide risk identification and response to WorkSafeBC staff.

Is this a good fit for you?

We’re looking for someone who can:

• Demonstrate understanding of current mental health issues and programs as they relate to depression, chronic pain, and suicidality.
• Facilitate understanding, diffuse hostility, resolve conflict, and provide critical incident support to clients, while being sensitive to their needs.
• Prepare, present, and explain information, often controversial in nature, both orally and in writing, using clear and concise language to individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of understanding.
• Work as part of a team whose focus is on consulting, guiding, and motivating clients, often who have physical and mental health conditions, to achieve treatment goals.

Your background and experience

• A master’s degree in a related discipline such as social sciences, social work, clinical/forensic/counselling psychology, or a bachelor’s degree in social work.
• Experience that demonstrates a broad knowledge of mental health and crisis intervention — four years of directly related experience with a master’s degree or six years of directly related experience with a bachelor’s degree.
• Registration or eligible to register with a professional college or regulatory body is required (e.g., RSW, RCC, CCC).
• A valid B.C. driver’s licence.

Important to know

• Successfully meet the legal requirements under the Criminal Records Review Act to work with children and/or vulnerable adults.
• Confirm you’re legally entitled to work in Canada.

Who are we?

At WorkSafeBC, we promote safe and healthy workplaces across British Columbia. We partner with workers and employers to save lives and prevent injury, disease, and disability. When work‑related injuries or diseases occur, we provide compensation and support injured workers in their recovery, rehabilitation, and safe return to work. We’re honoured to serve the 2.49 million workers and 263,000 registered employers in our province.

What’s it like to work at WorkSafeBC?

It’s challenging, stimulating, and rewarding. Our positions offer diversity and opportunities for professional growth. Every day, the work we do impacts people and changes lives. What we do is important, and so are the people we do it for.

Our ability to make a difference relies on building a team with a rich variety of skills, knowledge, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences that reflects the diversity of the people we serve. We are committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive work culture where everyone can contribute as their best, authentic self.

Learn more: Discover who we are.

Salary: $48.46 – $52.35 hourly; $91,365 – $98,687 annually.

Our benefits

• Defined benefit pension plan that provides you with a lifetime monthly pension when you retire.
• 3 weeks of vacation in your first year, with regular increases based on years of service.
• Extensive health care and dental benefits.
• Optional leave and earned‑time‑off arrangements.
• Development opportunities (tuition reimbursement, leadership development, and more).
• Reimbursement towards two annual professional memberships (e.g., College and association).

Learn more: Find out what we offer.

Want to apply?

• Applications are welcomed immediately, however must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. PST on the closing date.
• Please note that we will be starting assessments prior to the closing date.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. If you require an accommodation in the assessment process, please email Recruitment Testing Accommodation (SM) when you submit your application.