Position Vacancy Title: Youth Mental Wellness Counselor
Union Affiliation: UNIFOR
Posting Date: July 16, 2026
Posting Deadline: July 30, 2026
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Anishnawbe Mushkiki is an Indigenous community–led, primary health care organization. Our employees collaborate and work within an interdisciplinary health services team to achieve a common goal of improving the quality of health and life of our clients in the Thunder Bay area.
Anishnawbe Mushkiki empowers people to achieve optimal health and wellbeing through a holistic healthcare approach. We operate a primary care clinic, chronic disease management and prevention, traditional wellness, cultural programs, health promotion programs, community development initiatives, mental wellness and social support services in a culturally safe environment.
We have a unionized workforce and offer competitive compensation and exceptional benefits, including generous vacation and the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan.
POSITION SUMMARY
Under the overall supervision and reporting to the Director, Health and Community Services, the Youth Mental Wellness Counselor will be a member of an interprofessional team, providing trauma-informed services for youth aged 12 to 24 in clinical and school settings. The Youth Mental Wellness Counselor will work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental wellness with services including, but not limited to, mental health assessments, counselling, workshop facilitation, delivery of specialized programs and support to community outreach efforts.
The Youth Mental Wellness Counselor will:
- Provide therapeutic mental wellness assessment, counselling and support to youth between the ages of 12 and 24, with an emphasis on trauma-informed care
- Undertake an initial assessment of the youth’s mental wellness needs using the appropriate assessment tools.
- Assess the youth’s support network to identify resources available to support mental wellness outcomes.
- Develop a treatment plan, identifying therapeutic support and community resources to be leveraged to support mental wellness outcomes, which may include addressing behaviours related to a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, FASD, depression or mood disorders.
- Provide the youth with one-on-one therapeutic support using various intervention techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy.
- Develops, delivers and evaluates group mental wellness programs, in both clinical and school settings as required.
- Works with other health promotion and disease prevention staff to provide mental wellness supports to programs.
The wage range for the position is $44.23 to $61.22 per hour, dependent on level of education and experience.
REQUIREMENTS
- Completion of Bachelor of Social Work or Master’s Degree in Social Work
- 5-7 years relevant work experience in a community based and / or primary health care setting is preferred
- Membership in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or be eligible for registration
- Knowledge of urban Indigenous community and experience working with Indigenous persons
- Knowledge and experience in individual, group and family counseling, signs and symptoms of mental illness, assessment and case evaluation techniques
- Education and experience in trauma-informed care
- Knowledge of relevant legislation including Mental Health Act, Healthcare Consent Act, and Substitute Decisions Act
- Knowledge and experience in identifying community-based programs, services and resources
- Demonstrated effective crisis intervention and treatment plan development
- Ability to build and maintain effective therapeutic relations with a diverse range of individuals
- Ability to work with a high degree of independence while collaborating with an interdisciplinary team
- Ability to solve problems, exercise independent judgement, assess situations and address problems efficiently and effectively
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
- Proficiency utilizing information technology, specifically electronic medical record systems
- Awareness and respect of Ojibway /Cree traditional healing practices
- Ability to speak Ojibway/Cree is an asset
- Submit to a Tuberculin (TB) Skin Test, Satisfactory Criminal Records Check including Vulnerable Sector Screening Check upon job offer
Pay: $44.23-$61.22 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
