ABOUT THE ROLE
The School Counsellor works collaboratively as a team with school administrators, teachers, staff, students, and parents. With specialized knowledge and training in counselling children and adolescents in a school environment, the School Counsellor supports regular classroom teachers with specialized teaching strategies regarding supporting mental health and social emotional learning. Counsellors require active registration with the applicable Alberta regulatory college or professional association. Job classification and compensation is commensurate with the incumbent’s education level and experience.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Individual and group counselling (75%):
- Works with their School Administration to intervene and address day-to-day emergent/urgent social and emotional issues of students.
- Provides small group and individual support for students who require communication and social skills, friendship/relationship development, self-regulation to build student success and independence.
- Delivers group workshops on mental health awareness (ex. Anti bullying, anxiety) and behavior management.
- Identifies classroom needs and supports teachers with whole class instruction on social skills, behavior and other social/emotional skills.
- Completes referrals for therapeutic support to other community agencies who support children and families who have children with emotional and mental health needs.
- Provides education and supports program on awareness and duty to respond for a risk of suicide.
- Demonstrates compassion and uses a variety of effective communication techniques when communicating to staff, parents, and community agencies.
- Possesses the ability to work independently and make decisions while keeping the supervisor apprised of sensitive situations.
- Responds to emergencies and follows crisis intervention protocol.
- Assesses clients and refers to other services as needed.
- Maintains private and current records and files.
- Attends and contributes to wrap-around support meetings.
- Supports inclusive education as needed.
Other school initiatives (25%):
- Provides education to staff in using various universal instructional approaches and strategies for communication and social skills, friendship/relationship development, conflict resolution and self-regulation to build students’ resiliency and independence.
- Provides emerging and relevant professional development as requested by administration or identified by the school counselor (Duty to Report, Mental Health First Aid, Intervention Strategies etc.).
- Builds relationships with services in the Wood Buffalo region to assist clients with additional services.
- Consistently communicates with supervisors.
- Provides statistical data to principal on quarterly basis.
- Performs other related duties as required.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, art therapy, social work, education, psych nursing, or other related human service fields is
- Three (3) years of related experience working with at risk groups and supporting healthy living and life skills.
- Master’s degree in counselling, psychology, art therapy, social work, psych nursing, or other related human service field is required.
- Five (5) years of related experience working with at risk groups and supporting healthy living and life skills.
- Five (5) years of experience in addictions services and counselling.
- Active registration with the applicable regulatory college or professional association is required.
- Experience in running groups and meetings for students.
- Familiarity with the DSM-5.
- Experience in conflict management.
- Experiencing working with clients that have trauma and underlying mental health diagnosis.
- Experience working in a First Nations community including knowledge of Cree and Dene culture, traditions and values is a definite asset
- Clean Criminal Record Check with vulnerable sector required
- Valid class 5 Driver’s License & Clean Driver’s Abstract required
- Successful candidate will be required to live in (or relocate to) Fort McMurray, Alberta
WHY APPLY?
Fort McKay is committed to the success of its employees and in addition to the highest Teacher Salaries in the region, we also offer the following:
- Northern Living Allowance
- Affordable Teacher Housing
- An employer matched Pension Plan
- Comprehensive Health benefits package with Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
- On-site Fitness Centre because a healthy work-life balance is important to us
The opportunity to work with a community that is committed to preserving in traditional lands, culture and languages
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ABOUT FORT MCKAY
The Fort McKay First Nation (FMFN) is composed of over 800 band members, including those of Cree and Dene heritage, with approximately 400 members residing in the hamlet of Fort McKay — a community located approximately 65 km north of Fort McMurray. Fort McKay offers the best of both worlds: remote northern life for the nature lover and proximity to a large city of about 70,000 people with all the amenities you need.
ABOUT ELSIE FABIAN SCHOOL - Come Join the Team!
The Elsie Fabian School opened in September of 2022 and incorporates both the Dene and Cree language, culture, and Land-Based learning into daily programming. At Elsie Fabian School, our foundation is rooted in meaningful engagement—with students, families, community, and culture. We are guided by the principles of our sacred teachings: love, respect, responsibility, listening, nurturing, relationships, humility, and lifelong learning. We invite you to join our team and be part of the Fort McKay community—a Nation deeply committed to advancing quality education for First Nations learners through connection to the land and the revitalization of our languages and traditions.
HOW TO APPLY:
ONLINE: Job Board - Fort McKay First Nation
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
Please indicate Competition #036-2026
www.fortmckayeducation.ca
Check FMFN out on social media -> Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram
Qualified candidates are invited to apply with a comprehensive resume detailing qualifications and experience as it relates to the position of interest. *Preference will be given to qualified applicants of Indigenous ancestry in any hiring decision, please declare your Indigenous status in your application.
