Indigenous Mental Health & Wellness Counselor

Employment Opportunity: Indigenous Mental Health & Wellness Counselor (Leave Coverage)

Location: Halifax, NS

Salary Range: $67, 000/ per year

Employment Term : August 2026 to February 2027 , Full-time hours (35 hours/ week),

Reports To: IMHW Program Manager

General Description

Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre is centrally located in the urban Indigenous community of Halifax and is looking for (1) Indigenous Mental Health & Wellness Counselor ( IMHWC).

The IMHWC provides a wide range of therapeutic services to urban Indigenous community members. This position is responsible for screening, assessments, evaluation, and intervention. The role requires a high degree of independent practice, excellent assessment skills, and cultural knowledge to develop and implement a plan of care which may include both individual and group interventions and provide ongoing evaluation to monitor community members outcomes.

The incumbent will need to be able to work well in a team-oriented atmosphere. This position requires community based short-term support with a two eyed seeing approach in accessing therapeutic services. Dignity of care will be client focused in areas specified by the client.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the program delivery is congruent with the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s mission, vision and philosophy.
• Assess behaviour, emotional and cognitive needs, counsel clients, and provide therapy
• Plan, organize and facilitate cultural healing circles, and/or other group interventions for Indigenous community members
• Provide mental health & wellness support from a culturally trauma informed approach and embody the principles of Two-Eyed Seeing/Etuaptmumk
• Connect clients to community cultural resources, supports, and meaningful activities as required.
• Plan interventions, programs, and conduct program evaluation.
• Ensure confidentiality of the community members and information is maintained.
• Deliver presentations, workshops and promote spiritual, mental, emotional, physical wellbeing
• Work collaboratively with a diverse team
• Provide consultation services to government and organizations
• Utilize and maintain the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s (MNFC) database to track community cultural mental health support work.
• Commit to the development of the MNFC and participate in internal committees, projects and activities.
• Work collaboratively with all team members and partnering organizations to achieve desired excellent service and outcomes.
• May perform other related duties as assigned.

Specified Skills

• Interest in the social welfare of others and motivated to help others
• Patience, excellent interpersonal skills
• Masters in a counseling profession considered an asset, or bachelors with significant experience working with trauma informed care
• Understanding of two eyed seeing practices and Indigenous ways of seeing and knowing
• Excellent verbal, written skills
• Leadership, reasoning, ethics, and decision-making skills are a necessity

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with significant experience in related fields.
• Registration (or eligibility with the applicable provincial licensing body)
• Comprehensive understanding of Indigenous, women’s, trans gender, poverty, trauma, and homelessness issues, and their root causes.
• Demonstrated understanding of two-eyed seeing approaches to mental well-being.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Varied shifts depending on the need of community members.
• Reliable means of transportation (must own a working vehicle).
• Experience using Microsoft Office (word, excel, outlook, access, power point).
• Core Competency Training: Mental Health First Aid, ASIST and NVCI.
• Required Vulnerable Sector Check & Child Abuse Registrar must be provided prior to start of position.
• For this position Indigenous Ancestry is an asset, please self identify

Application Deadline: July 27th, 2026

Submit Cover Letter & Resume to:

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel working within this job title.

The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre is an equal opportunity employer; and complies with all fair employment practices laws. We are committed to providing a workplace free form unlawful discrimination and harassment and prohibit the same against employees, applicants or other covered persons by co-workers, supervisors, managers, or third parties based on a person’s race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, veterans status, disability unrelated to job requirements, ethnicity, genetic information, military service, political affiliation, marital status and pregnancy or other protected status.

Qualified Indigenous applicants will be given priority in accordance with the Aboriginal Employment Preference Policy of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre (MNFC) reserves the right to refuse all applications for employment. The MNFC will not assume any expenses related to this or any job application process included and not limited to travel, relocation, and application development.

• Only those applicants who are screened in for an interview will be contacted.