Student Counsellor

SIIT; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A First Nation governed post-secondary institution in Canada seeks a Student Counsellor to support students academically and personally. The position involves providing counselling, making referrals, and managing risk assessments. Ideal candidates will have a master's degree or related bachelor's degree with experience, particularly in First Nations communities. This full-time role offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on student success.

Qualifications

• A minimum of three years post-graduate experience in counselling.
• Experience working with First Nations adults, families, and communities.
• Demonstrated counselling experience in a post-secondary environment is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide counselling and support for personal and academic concerns.
• Participate in multi-department collaborations.
• Implement and maintain a risk prevention plan.

Skills

Effective Communication

Relationship Building

Conflict Management

Empathetic Listening

Education

Master's degree in Psychology or Social Work

Bachelor's degree plus experience

Job description

Established in 1976, the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) is a First Nation governed post-secondary institution. Recognized under provincial legislation, the Institute has been conferred authority to grant certificates and diplomas. SIIT welcomes over 2400 students into our urban and community programs annually as well as serving over 6000 clients through our nine Career Centres across the province. The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies is playing a significant role in Saskatchewan's economic future. You can contribute to that success while building your career.

Nature and Scope

The Student Counsellor contributes to student success by providing counselling and referral services. This position will positively promote and create an environment that demonstrates SIIT's vision, mission, and mandate.

General Accountability

The Student Counsellor provides counselling and support to students specifically in community locations across Saskatchewan for both personal and academic concerns. The incumbent will participate in multidepartment collaborations within SIIT and work closely with community partnerships and stakeholders for external referrals and resources when required to ensure students' needs are being met.

The Student Counsellor will provide support to students to develop academically and socially in both individual and group settings. The incumbent will work with students to overcome emotional and/or behavioral problems, improve organization and time management skills, and set academic goals. The Student Counsellor will implement and maintain a risk prevention plan and perform risk assessments of students who present in crisis and require plans for risk and crisis management.

Specific Accountabilities

Counselling & Care Case Management

• Provide case-appropriate assessment, interventions, referral service and follow up with SIIT students to reduce barriers to success
• Provide support and guidance to SIIT students, as well provide referrals to internal and external service providers in order to reduce barriers
• Be observant and aware of students that may be experiencing difficulties, create opportunities for open and supportive dialogue, individually or in groups, so students may express areas of concern and troubles they are facing
• Keep current with respect to techniques, methods and industry trends, and actively seeks out professional development opportunities
• Manage the caseload in an effective manner while maintaining high level of confidentiality
• Provide excellent client service and be persistent when dealing with difficult and complex cases
• Maintain knowledge and awareness of effective counselling initiatives and practices as they relate to Indigenous students

Relationship Management & Advocacy

• Assist students in generating solution-focused strategies in areas that may impair life/school balance
• Provide an advocacy approach with every student so this position is recognized as an active liaison between internal resources
• Support and maintain positive rapport with faculty and administration
• Collaborate with and refer as appropriate to Elder(s)/Cultural Advisor, internal resources, community agencies and external professionals
• Establish and maintain healthy boundaries with students, while keeping consistent with the departments vision and expectations, as well as SIIT's expectation of the Rules of conduct
• Maintain effective and productive relationships with SIIT stakeholders
• Maintain a current database of external service providers

Reporting & Compliance

• Maintain accurate data of services provided to assist and support department requirements, preparing reports and providing support as necessary
• Ensure strict confidentiality and privacy of information as it relates to students, employers, the Institute, and other third parties
• Maintain and research current data on success and wellness counselling strategies and best practice for students

Risk Management

• Perform urgent risk assessments of students who present in crisis and require plans for risk and crisis management
• Exercise good judgement and discretionary decision-making concerning public and client safety
• Identify student risk factors and barriers to personal, social, and academic development
• Provide support to students that possess risk factors by providing professional counselling or a referral to appropriate therapy
• Develop and implement a risk prevention plan for student support when necessary

Required Qualifications and Experience: A master's degree in Psychology or Social Work is preferred, however, candidates with a minimum of a related bachelor's degree plus experience may be considered. Preference will be given to those who are registered with a provincial professional association. Minimum of three years post-graduate experience in the areas of counselling, coupled with experience working with First Nations adults, families and communities. Demonstrated counselling experience in a post-secondary environment would be an asset. Knowledge of community resources would be an asset. Knowledge of First Nations cultures and organizations would be an asset. This position works with minimal supervision, therefore must have strong self-management skills. This role will require extensive travel across the province, including some overnights; therefore, the incumbent must have a valid driver's license.

As this position is considered safety sensitive, the incumbent will be subject to testing as per SIIT's Alcohol and Substances policy.

Required Competencies: Flexible & Adaptable; Effective Communication; Relationship Building; Results Oriented; Empathetic Listening & Responding; Knowledge & Expertise; Conflict Management; Student Focus.

This is a full time, term position up to June 30, 2026.