3 Year Full-time Term Position Available – October 4, 2010

The British Columbia Conference of The United Church of Canada is seeking a Mobile Counselor to provide effective counseling services to survivors of Indian Residential Schools, their families, and others affected by the Indian Residential School experience in a small number of United Church-related communities.   This position is a full-time term position and is expected to be for a three year term in British Columbia. 

 It is expected that a broad range of counseling services will be provided that can address the intergenerational effects of colonization and the common experience of residential schools. These services may include: helping individuals deal with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; suicide; stress management; problems with self-esteem; mental and emotional health.

 Background:

The United Church of Canada and its predecessors operated a number of Indian Residential Schools in British Columbia for generations. The devastating effect of these schools on individuals and whole communities has now become well known to the church and society. The church recognizes that it has a responsibility to proactively respond to this legacy in a manner that promotes individual and community healing.

 British Columbia Conference recognizes that it has a particular relationship and responsibility toward coastal communities that have a long and historic relationship with the United Church. In an effort to honour those relationships and also focus energy and resources in an effective manner, the Conference wishes to provide significant services to a small number of communities which have been damaged by the Residential Schools system.

 The provision of ongoing counseling services to individuals and communities was a request commonly heard by the church. This job is one way of addressing those requests positively.

 Tasks:

In this role, the Mobile Counselor will communicate with community and church leaders to determine needs and to make contact with potential clients.  S/he will provide regular, scheduled and ongoing counseling services to clients in identified communities. Depending upon the circumstances these may include:  family counseling, one-on-one counseling, youth counseling, group counseling, and community counseling (community gatherings).

 The tasks of this position will usually be carried out in offices, homes and indoor facilities. The Mobile Counselor will provide for his/her own office space. Some regular office expenses will be paid for, as agreed upon with British Columbia Conference. Travel will be extensive, primarily through the communities identified by the Native Ministries Council Executive. S/he will be responsible for making travel arrangements.  Overnight and weekend work and travel will occur often.

 The Mobile Counselor will develop and maintain a resource network for linking clientele for referral when necessary and will work as an advocate to assist clientele with related, non-counseling issues. 

 This position is responsible for writing and filing client and activity reports, working within established budgets, and providing accurate accounting of all financial activities.  S/he will provide written reports and statistics regularly for the Executive Secretary and the Native Ministries Council Executive.

 Supervision will be provided by the Executive Secretary of British Columbia Conference.  Direction and advice to the Mobile Counselor will also be provided by the Native Ministries Council Executive of British Columbia Conference.

 Qualifications / Skills:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelors degree in social work, counseling or related discipline, or equivalent in work experience;
• Knowledge of Indian Residential Schools history, legacy and issues;
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with First Nations people in a respectful and empowering manner;
• Sensitivity to culture and traditions;
• Experience in conflict resolution;
• Experience in leadership development;
• Disciplined work habits; ability to work alone without close supervision and guidance;
• A Police Records check is mandatory;
• A valid driver’s license.

 Values:

• Excellence:  The Counselor shall strive to excel in all areas of the job.
• Leadership and Cooperation: The Counselor shall be proactive and take initiative while being responsive to the expressed needs of communities and individuals. The Counselor shall work in cooperation with other helping agencies, with bands and community leaders, and with the churches.
• Respect: The Counselor shall show respectful behaviour toward all persons. Sensitivity and understanding shall guide all relationships and, in particular, where ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age is an issue. Local culture and traditions shall be honoured.
• Ethical Behaviour: The Counselor shall have an understanding of, and will perform duties consistent with, the code of ethics outlined by the Canadian Counseling Association Code of Ethics [http://www.ccacc.ca/ECOEJAN07.pdf ] 
• Confidentiality: In order to respect persons and to ensure fair processes, information and opinions about persons involved in any formal or informal relationship with the Executive Secretary or Conference shall be kept strictly confidential. Regulations regarding confidentiality as defined by The United Church of Canada and appropriate government regulations shall be followed. 

 Salary:

This is a category 8 position with a 2010 salary range of $59,754.49 to $79,673.01 (Lay Equivalent Rate). Alternative employment relationships will be considered, including that of a fee-for-service contractor, in which case, terms and conditions will be stated in the Fee-for-Service contract.

 We are anticipating a start date of October 4, 2010.  Interested applicants are invited to submit their resume and cover letter, quoting file #10-11-13by 12:00 noon (EST) August 25, 2010 to D. Collier, Human Resources email: apps6 [at] united-church [dot] ca