Counsellor (South Asian)
University of Waterloo (UW)
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Job Requisition ID:
2025-00466Time Type:
Full timeEmployee Group:
StaffJob Category:
Medical Health and WellnessEmployment Type:
TemporaryDepartment:
Campus Wellness - Counselling Services IVHiring Range:
$78,214.70 - $97,768.38Posting Information:
This posting is a temporary contract. Term: 13 Months
This is a Career Path position (USG 10-13). The final level will be determined based on demonstrated skills and experience.
Anticipated hiring ranges:
USG 10: $78,214- $97,768
USG 11: $85,399-$103,040
USG 12: $93,117- $116,396
USG 13: $101,366-$126,708
Job Description:
Primary Purpose
Counselling Services strives for an environment that reflects our society and our student body. In order to address the unique needs and concerns of South Asian students, we are seeking a candidate who is of a South Asian ethnocultural background who has clinical knowledge and experience in mental health and wellness matters related to the lived experiences of South Asian communities.
The Counsellor is accountable to a Manager, Counselling Services for the provision of front line clinical mental health programs and services. Ultimately, this position underpins the mission of Counselling Services which focuses on supporting and promoting academic success, student and campus mental health, psychological wellness, and safety within members of a diverse and global Waterloo community.
The mental health, psychological wellness and safety of students are fundamental to the mandate of the university since they are a foundation for personal and academic success.
The selection process for this position will follow the provisions for a special program as described by the Ontario Human Rights Code to address the underrepresentation of individuals from equity-deserving groups. Improving the representation, participation, and engagement of equity–deserving groups within our community is a key objective of Waterloo’s Strategic Plan 2020-2025. As such, this position is open only to qualified individuals who self-identifies as a South Asian.
We ask each interested applicant to include a statement if they self-identify as a member of the equity-deserving groups in their cover letter. Please note that our recruitment system has limitations. Hiring managers will only see the last updated version of the application (cover letter and resume) as older versions will be overridden. Therefore, if you are applying to more than one job simultaneously, your self-identification will be available to all hiring managers.
Key Accountabilities
Clinical Services - for supporting mental health and wellness, as well as personal academic and personal success to clients (i.e., primarily students)
Clinical assessments: initial/intake assessments; risk of harm assessments
Treatment planning
Individual and group counselling/psychotherapy
Responding to clients in crisis, providing same day service as needed
Providing support coordination
Clinical case notes and report writing
Termination planning and referral
Working along a continuum from single session counselling to a short-term brief counselling model along with a behavioural health perspective, the expectation is that most clients can be assisted within a limited number of meetings
Advocacy
The Counsellor is an advocate for and supports student academic success and personal learning.
Collaborate and consult with key campus support services (e.g., AccessAbility Services, Health Services, Student Success Office, etc.) related to students’ personal and academic needs.
Collaborate and consult with faculty, including individual faculty members, the Associate Deans’ offices, and academic support areas in the interest of students’ academic success, retention, and graduation.
Design, facilitate and evaluate seminars sessions on various topics (e.g., coping skills, etc.).
Design, facilitate and evaluate training to student leaders and other key stakeholders across campus on various topics, including suicide prevention.
The partnership for the mental health, health and wellness, well-being and safety of the campus community includes active collaboration and teaming with a focus on client issues of shared concern.
Clinical Practice
The Counsellor is committed to best clinical practice and best practice in mental health.
The Counsellor has a thorough and expert understanding of developmental issues of late adolescence (e.g., relationships, mental health, disordered eating, transition, sexuality, etc.).
Recognizes the common barriers facing South Asian students when accessing mental health support.
Engages in clinical practices that are culturally responsive for students who self-identify as South Asian.
Remains current with pertinent ethical requirements, research, and considerations relevant to the fields of counselling/psychotherapy, mental health assessment and crisis management.
Maintains a high level of knowledge and awareness of changes and developments in the fields of higher education and counselling, and their implications for the organization and delivery of counselling and clinical services within the institution.
Represents the interest of the department at conferences, workshops, etc.
Graduate Supervision and Training
Under the direction of the Manager, the Counsellor provides supervision of graduate students who are participating in clinical residency, internship or practicum placements at Counselling Services
Multi-Disciplinary Team Member
As part of a multi-disciplinary team member, the Counsellor attends clinical consultation meetings, Counselling Services unit meetings, Campus Wellness meetings, and other meetings as requested or directed by their Manager in Counselling Services.
Required Qualifications
Education
A graduate degree (masters or doctorate) in the counselling professions (e.g., psychology, social work, etc.)
Theoretical and practical training in individual and group counselling
Registered with a College under the Ontario’ Regulated Health Professions Act (1991)
Experience
- Proven record of achievement in clinical counselling. Scope of practice must include clinical work with adolescent and young adult population.
Experience working with South Asian identified communities is beneficial and strongly preferred.
Experience in university or college setting is beneficial and strongly preferred
The Campus Wellness department is seeking candidates with lived experience, specifically those who self- identify as South Asian.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Demonstrated skill and effectiveness in the application of a broad spectrum of psychological interventions/therapies especially Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and expertise in behavioural health.
Speaking a language in addition to English would be an asset
Counselling or outreach experience with culturally marginalized, South Asian, and other underrepresented groups
Familiarity with current research and professional literature pertaining to racial trauma and how it may impact a student’s experience, both emotionally and academically
Experience working with individuals who have experienced oppression, racism, homophobia, transphobia and/or ableism.
Connections with and awareness of community organizations that support South Asian communities.
Excellent interpersonal, communication (oral and written) and organizational skills.
Demonstrated initiative and strong skills in problem solving and decision making.
Proven ability to work effectively with a multi-disciplinary team.
Maintain a clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check
Equity Statement
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.