Indigenous Child & Youth Counsellor

• Walk alongside Indigenous children, youth and families as a trusted counsellor in a brand-new role
• Earn a competitive hourly rate of $42 – $49 on a 35hr workweek, plus comprehensive benefits
• Join the Comox Valley ICY Team, where your work will help young people heal, grow and stay connected to their culture for generations to come

About K'ómoks First Nation

K’ómoks First Nation is a growing Indigenous government in the Comox Valley, guided by a strong connection to its lands, culture, community, and future generations. The Nation provides services and programs that support its members and community, while managing lands, natural resources, environmental matters, housing, education, health, and social development. K’ómoks is also in the early stages of implementing its Treaty, bringing new responsibilities, opportunities, and growth across the organization. Its intergovernmental work plays an important part in advancing the Nation's rights, interests, and relationships with First Nations, all levels of government, and external partners.

For people looking for work with a clear connection to place and community, K’ómoks offers the chance to contribute to meaningful decisions, work alongside people who care deeply about the Nation, and take part in shaping what comes next for K’ómoks and its members.

For more information, please visit the website: komoks.ca

About the Opportunity

K'ómoks First Nation is looking for a full-time Indigenous Child & Youth Counsellor based in Courtenay, BC.

Reporting to the Director of Community Services, you will provide culturally safe, trauma-informed mental health, wellness and substance use support to Indigenous children and youth aged 0–19 and their families. You will do this as part of the Comox Valley Integrated Child and Youth (ICY) Team.

More specifically, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Building trusting, respectful and strengths-based relationships with children, youth and families
• Providing culturally safe, trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate mental health and wellness support
• Tailoring therapeutic support to the unique needs, identities and lived experiences of First Nations, Métis and Inuit children and youth
• Delivering individual and group counselling, crisis support and skill-building interventions in accessible, youth-friendly spaces
• Supporting children and youth affected by mental health concerns, substance use and emerging problematic dependencies, such as vaping, alcohol, illicit drugs and chronic technology use
• Leading prevention and early intervention programming that promotes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness through culturally grounded practices
• Collaborating with families, schools, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and community partners to co-create care plans that reflect young people’s voices and goals
• Supporting transitions between services and systems, ensuring continuity of care and advocating for children and youth
• Participating in team-based care, contributing to shared decision-making and integrated service delivery
• Meeting children and youth where they are, including in schools, homes and community spaces across the Comox Valley
• Following K’ómoks First Nation policies and procedures and engaging in ongoing professional development

About You

To qualify, you will need a degree in Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Psychology or a related field, and registration or eligibility for registration with a relevant professional body (e.g. BCACC, CCPA, RCC or RSW). Experience working with children, youth and families in clinical or community settings will also be essential. You will also need a valid Class 5 driver’s licence and the willingness to undergo a criminal record and vulnerable sector check.

Preference will be given to Indigenous applicants.

Additionally, the following skills and background will be highly valued:

• Experience supporting Indigenous children, youth and families
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, culturally safe and inclusive practice
• Understanding of the impacts of colonization and the social determinants of health on Indigenous communities
• Familiarity with the Comox Valley community and local resources
• Ability to provide services in languages other than English, including Indigenous languages

As our ideal candidate, you will possess strong communication, relational and organizational skills that will make you succeed in this role. You will work well in a multidisciplinary team and adapt easily across schools, homes and community spaces. You will also bring the compassion, cultural humility and commitment to ongoing learning that will make you a perfect culture fit.

This is a rare opportunity to walk alongside Indigenous children, youth and families as a trusted counsellor. You will bring your clinical skills, cultural knowledge and lived understanding to a brand-new role, helping young people in the Comox Valley heal, grow and stay connected to who they are.

About the Benefits

Compensation, based on skills and experience, is a competitive hourly rate of $42 - $49, plus a host of excellent benefits including:

• Comprehensive cost-shared benefits plan covering prescription drugs, glasses, paramedical services, and more
• 7% employer-matched pension plan
• Two weeks’ annual vacation, all statutory holidays, and two additional weeks of paid time off during the Christmas closure
• Relocation Assistance for the right candidate
• Company-provided laptop and work tools
• Occasional flexibility to work from home, based on operational needs
• A welcoming, down-to-earth workplace with casual dress and regular catered all-staff gatherings
• Opportunities to connect with the community and experience K’ómoks culture through public celebrations and activities, including National Indigenous Peoples Day events

By joining K’ómoks First Nation, you will play a key role in supporting the wellbeing of Indigenous children, youth and families across the Comox Valley. Here, cultural understanding matters as much as clinical expertise, and your work will directly strengthen the health and resilience of the Nation’s young people.

Ready to put your counselling skills and compassion to work for the next generation? Apply today!