Community Student Counsellor

Nature and Scope

The Community 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 Community 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.

Specific Accountabilities

The Community 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 Community 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. This position provides additional support as required and includes the following broad range of 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 Saskatoon 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 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 and Adaptable; Effective Communication; Relationship Building; Results Oriented; Empathetic Listening and Responding; Knowledge and Expertise; Conflict Management; Student Focus; Teamwork.

Term: November 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027