Internal/External Posting. This posting is to fill a current vacancy. Reference Number: MENTA . If applying by email, indicate the reference number in the subject line.

Job Type: Full Time position. Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario. Rate of Pay: Annual : $68,778 – $100,438 / Hourly $37.790 – $55.186. Annual travel stipend available. Hours of Work: 35 hours per week. Application Deadline: Open until filled.

Position Summary: Nodin Mental Health Services is a department of Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority. It is a resource available to First Nations children, youth, adults, and families from 33 remote northern communities served by SLFNHA. Nodin has several services: intake, counsellors travelling to communities, a crisis response program, community-based children’s mental health and addiction workers, on-call, traditional healing, youth school counsellors, an outpatient mental health service, and also mobile outreach mental health and addiction counsellors who are a part of a Crisis Response and Harm Reduction Mobile Outreach Team for Sioux Lookout.

The Counsellor I – Travelling position is an entry level position for new graduates with little to no experience. The goal for the entry level counsellor is to first receive on the job training, supportive mentoring from peers and clinical supervisor for a period of time in Sioux Lookout before starting to travel into First Nations communities to provide counselling. Under this mentorship, the new counsellor will gain practical experience with clients and documentation, receive knowledge transfer, and build skills/confidence relevant to counselling in First Nations communities.



Once readiness is determined that the counsellor can perform the job effectively, they will commence travelling to First Nations communities to provide counselling. A Counsellor I – Travelling may move to a Counsellor II – Travelling after gaining one year of experience.

Accountability

The Counsellor I – Travelling is accountable to the Supervisor – Clinical, Outreach Service.

Qualifications

- Persons of First Nations ancestry will be given preference (OHRC, Part II, Special Employment)
- Minimum level of education required is equivalent to high school graduation and completion of a diploma training program, specific to mental health at a recognized college
- Registration with a recognized professional body that is regulated to practice psychotherapy in Ontario (e.g., CRPO, OCSWSSW, CPO).
- New graduate with limited to no work experience
- Knowledge and experience with different talking therapies (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy, group therapy, motivational counselling, family systems therapy)
- Can approach work holistically using a wellness model which highlights and encourages client’s strengths
- Strong set of interpersonal skills to establish and maintain rapport effectively with clients and partners
- Asset to have training in assessing risk of suicide, suicide intervention, trauma informed care, substance abuse/addiction, intergenerational trauma, grief,



self-harm, psychiatric disorders etc.
- Ability to work with children, youth, adults and families
- Knowledge of mandatory reporting requirements
- Must have experience assessing high risk clients and responding appropriately
- Experience developing presentations and facilitating group work/therapy
- Proficient in typing and competent in the use of computers
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Accuracy and solid attention to detail is a must
- Strong interviewing, analytical, problem-solving, organizational and time management skills
- Self-starter to work independently with initiative and highly adaptable
- Support system and self-care strategies in place to maintain own wellbeing
- Knowledge of the people, culture and mental health priorities of First Nations communities in the Sioux Lookout region
- Ability to communicate in one or more of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout region will be an asset
- Previous experience working with First Nations communities is an asset
- Ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout region is an asset
- The ability to perform the requirements of the position on a regular basis.

Roles & Responsibilities

- Extensive travel to First Nations communities to provide counselling, support/guidance, intervention, crisis management, family counselling, group work and case management
- Conduct mental health assessments, help clients define goals and develop treatment plans
- Assessment of risk factors, clinical management of risk, stabilization, development of safety plans
- Develop th

📌 Counsellor I – Travelling (Sioux Lookout)
🏢 Northwest Employment Works
📍 Sioux Lookout