Indigenous Counsellor - Sessional (August 2026 - June 2027)
Mohawk College
Location
Hamilton, Ontario
Salary
CA$77,153 - CA$133,752 / YEAR
Quick overview
Provide culturally responsive counselling and mental health support to Indigenous students to promote holistic wellness and academic success. Collaborate with community partners and college administration to develop supports aligned with Truth and Reconciliation principles.
Requirements summary
Requires a Master's degree in a counselling-related field and registration with OCSWSSW, CRPO, or an equivalent professional college. A minimum of 5 years of experience in mental health settings and demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous communities is preferred.
Job description
Indigenous Counsellor - Sessional (August 2026 - June 2027)
Status
- Sessional (August 2026 –
- June 2027)
- Home
- Campus: Fennell (with travel to other campuses; fully in-person)
- Rate of
- Pay: $77,153 - $133,752 per year
- Vacancy
- Status: 1 vacancy available
- Posting
- Date: May 15th, 2026
Closing Date
June 7th, 2026 at 7:00 pm EST We believe the rich diversity among our students and the communities we serve should be reflected within our workforce. As educators, we believe it is important to act and show leadership in advancing the principles of reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our community. Under the direction of the Manager, Indigenous Student Services, the Indigenous Counsellor provides culturally responsive counselling and support to Indigenous students, helping them address personal, social, and educational challenges that may affect their learning and well‑being. The role supports Indigenous students on campus working collaboratively to promote student success, holistic wellness, and culturally safe supports in alignment with Mohawk College’s commitment to meaningfully advance Truth and Reconciliation. This position is scheduled to work in-person Monday–Friday from 8:30 am–4:30 pm. What you’ll be doing: The duties of this position will include, but are not limited to the following: Collaboration with Indigenous Student Services. Develop, facilitate and maintain appropriate counselling supports for Indigenous students. Emphasis on students with increased risk levels. Development of continuity of supports with a focus of ongoing wellness and mental health supports within the college and surrounding communities. Facilitate access to internal and community services to support student needs. Individual appointment and/or group sessions to be developed and offered, relevant to students as they manage college life. Counselling support on an individual and group basis with regards to personal and complex mental health issues. Assisting the student in their transition from home communities to the college environment to ensure students are welcomed and supported. Facilitation of information with an Indigenous world view to the students’ unique needs for educational decision making, career planning and personal issues. Advocacy and collaboration with College Administration, faculty and staff, in a consultative role, in identifying gaps in service, shifting of student needs and continuity of support services available to Indigenous students. In Collaboration with key stakeholders and community partnerships, develop and implement, within the college, a variety of groups and awareness promotions that promote Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Work with community organizations to support the complex needs of students in planning their post-secondary school pathway and mental health needs. Other duties as assigned.
What you’ll bring to the role
Masters-level degree in a counselling related professional discipline (Social Work, Counselling, Psychology, Mental Health Nurse, Indigenous Studies or other closely related discipline) that includes a supervised clinical internship(s). Must have and maintain the right to practice the controlled act of psychotherapy within the province of Ontario. Registered with OCSWSSW, CRPO, or equivalent professional college. A minimum of 5 years of full-time experience providing counselling and/or psychotherapy in a mental health setting, with a proven record of adhering to professional and ethical standards (preferred). Demonstrated experience and knowledge with Indigenous communities including knowledge and sensitivity to the diverse needs of Indigenous, Metis and Inuit students. Experience designing & building programs and workshops to support Indigenous experience and supporting clients in this area. Demonstrated ability in crisis intervention. Demonstrated self-awareness, knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for effective communication, relationship-building, educating, and supervising within a diverse setting is required. Demonstrated flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to changing demands. Proficiency in using technology to compliment clinical care and experience using an EMR/CRM platform strongly preferred. Experience with counselling in the post-secondary environment is considered an asset. Demonstrated commitment to personal integrity, human rights, equity, diversity, and inclusion with experience working effectively inter-culturally with diverse groups of students, employees, and the community. Counsellor will be required to travel to all of the campuses including those in partnership with Mohawk (such as Six Nations Polytechnic). To find out more about working at Mohawk College, including our Employee Value Proposition, please visit https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/about-mohawk/careers-at-mohawk
We are committed to reconciliation and nurturing an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible (IDEA) environment for everyone who learns and works at Mohawk College. We welcome applications from racialized persons, women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
The College is committed to fostering inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources.
To learn more about Mohawk College’s commitments, please visit the Mohawk College strategic plan webpage: https://www.strategicplan.mohawkcollege.ca/