Position is open until filled, first review of applications will start on July 23, 2026.

Position Title
Counsellor – Probationary Continuous

Faculty/Instructor Profile
Faculty at Red Deer Polytechnic:

Are passionate about teaching, learning, and student success.

Pursue professional learning to continually enhance their practice and their discipline.

Are recognized for their contributions to both local and global communities.

Role Description
As Red Deer Polytechnic’s future takes shape, growing our breadth of credentials (to include our own degrees) and programs, our institution has high expectations of our amazing faculty. But we do recognize that new hires may not have all the skills and experiences when applying. We want you to know that there is some flexibility to develop your talents over time. The initial focus for new faculty will be on teaching and student success with lots of opportunity for professional development, growth and collaboration. Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is committed to all faculty acquiring the identified Key Attributes over time.

Teaching
The faculty member combines discipline expertise with evidence based teaching to facilitate effective and varied learning experiences.

Student Success
The faculty member encourages student success in an engaging, supportive environment by being responsive to student needs and ideas.

Professional Development
The faculty member engages in the continuous pursuit of knowledge to maintain currency in their discipline and their teaching practice.

Research, Scholarly and Creative Pursuits
The faculty member has the opportunity to pursue impactful scholarly and creative activities and disseminates knowledge that advances the discipline, enhances the reputation of Red Deer Polytechnic, and improves communities.

Community Contributions
The faculty member values engagement, contributing knowledge and their own expertise to the betterment of Red Deer Polytechnic and local communities, as well as discipline-based, national, and global communities.

The Counsellor position is part of a larger multi-disciplinary Student Supports team within the Division of Student Experience. The incumbent works to provide excellent, prevention, intervention, and postvention services that aligns with the National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students. Namely, creating a diverse ecosystem of supports enhancing mental health and well‑being within and beyond RDP.

The Counsellor is a faculty position, and part of Counselling Services. Counselling Services at Red Deer Polytechnic is an inclusive, safe, student-focused, and accessible free service. Counsellors have an awareness of the developmental needs and concerns presented by a diverse post‑secondary student population.



Counsellors provide individual and group counselling services to Red Deer Polytechnic students with a focus on strength‑based, brief counselling in a non‑clinical setting. In addition, Counsellors plan and facilitate workshops and education liaises with diverse internal and external stakeholders and engage in scholarship activities.

Position Responsibilities

Provide non‑clinical individual and group counselling for RDP students within the Stepped‑Care model.

Work in accordance with their regulatory and accrediting bodies’ professional responsibilities, ethics, and guidelines (e.g., The Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta, The College of Alberta Psychologists; Alberta College of Social Work), particularly:

Adhering to the limits of confidentiality and understanding the parameters of sharing information.

Show diplomacy and good judgment in interpreting current RDP values, policies and procedures.

Maintaining competencies in areas typically associated with a diverse post‑secondary student population, such as intercultural, depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, relationship issues, academic achievement, gender and sexual diversity, financial, career, family relations.

Work in alignment with RDP’s Student Mental Health Strategy.

Respond to urgent mental health situations.

Assess and respond to student progress and risk using formal and informal assessment tools.

Collaborate and consult with other departments within RDP and the wider community through Multi‑disciplinary Support Team meetings (MDSTs).

Chance to provide supervision and/or support for practicum students as well as work‑integrated and applied research students.

Participate in continuing professional education and development, as required by professional association/affiliate ethics and guidelines.

Contribute to scholarly professional knowledge through program development, initiatives, working groups, task forces, committees, presentations or publications.

Required Qualifications

Graduate Degree in Psychology, Counselling or Social Work.

Professional designation as a Counselling Therapist, Registered Psychologist or Registered Social Worker in Alberta is a requirement.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups of people using an intersectional lens (e.g., Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+).

Highly developed oral, written and presentation skills.

Experience in one or more of the following would be an asset: Counselling in a post‑secondary setting and/or providing supervision and consultation.





Ability to work individually and in a team environment.

Ability to identify and creatively solve problems.

Demonstrated ethics and outstanding integrity.

Salary or Hourly?
Salary Commensurate with education and experience.

Benefits and Compensation Information
Red Deer Polytechnic offers a comprehensive benefits package including extended health and dental care through Blue Cross, access to a health spending account, pension plan, Employee & Family Assistance Program, generous vacation allotments, credit tuition waivers and opportunities for career development funding. Additional time off due to institution closures between Christmas and New Year general holidays. Eligibility to access the above mentioned benefits is dependent upon the AUPE Collective Agreement and related RDP policies.

About Red Deer Polytechnic
Focused on advancing the economic and social priorities of Alberta, Red Deer.

Polytechnic (RDP) provides more than 100 industry‑relevant credit and non‑credit programs to approximately 11,000 credit, non‑credit and apprenticeship students. With contemporary teaching and learning spaces, and state‑of‑the‑art research and innovation centres, RDP provides education and applied research opportunities in partnership with industry and communities.

Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus is located on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and Métis ancestral lands. This is where we will strive to honour and transform our relationships with one another.

Whatever brings you to Red Deer Polytechnic, we are glad you are here. And we look forward to having you as a valued member of our polytechnic community.

Red Deer Polytechnic fosters an inclusive learning and working environment where everyone can bring their full selves and share their unique talents. We are committed to being responsive to the evolving needs and expectations of our diverse community.

At RDP, we are committed to a merit‑based hiring process, and we believe in an inclusive workplace that is fair, equitable, supportive, welcoming and respectful. We recognize, value, and leverage differences in identifies, abilities, background, cultures, skills, experiences, and perspectives. Our practices are guided by the principles of the Alberta Human Rights Act and support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action. If you believe you have the skills and equivalent experience and potential to contribute to this role, we encourage you to apply.

Red Deer Polytechnic will provide job applicants with accommodations in accordance with the Alberta Human Rights Code. To request an accommodation, please contact [email protected].

Supplemental Questions

How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?

0-1

1-3

3-5

5-7

7+

Documents Needed To Apply
Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

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📌 Counsellor – Probationary Continuous (Alberta)
🏢 Rdp
📍 Alberta