Counsellor

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Today, Mount Royal offers 14 bachelor degrees and 38 majors, along with a wide range of diploma and certificate options. We boast a diverse community with nearly 16,000 credit students, more than 5,500 non-credit students and about 1,700 employees.

Mount Royal is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina, and the Iyarhe Nakoda. The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.

A student-focused undergraduate university built on teaching excellence, we are known for our top-calibre programs, high-quality teaching and learning experience, robust delivery of liberal education, scholarly teaching, experiential learning and undergraduate research. Learn more at mru.ca/AcademicPlan .

We are committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

Student Counselling Services at Mount Royal University invites applications for a Tenure-Track position at the rank of Assistant Professor. This position will commence June 1, 2024, subject to final budgetary approval. 

Student Counselling Services is located within Wellness Services . Counsellors are members of the Division of Student Experience and Success and, as faculty, are also members of Arts Faculty Council. The department currently has 6 tenured and 6 contract counsellors, who aim to create an exceptional counselling experience for MRU students so as to promote student mental health, academic success, and personal growth. 

Student Counselling Services offers an innovative and dynamic work environment, with opportunities to serve and collaborate with various departments, services, and campus-based groups. Student Counselling Services recognizes that people are a combination of many intersecting identities. We work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harness the strength that is available in our diversity to create a rich and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, we welcome applications from underrepresented identities in the counselling profession. 

New faculty are hired into one of two work patterns. The teaching/ scholarship/ service pattern (TSS) focuses on teaching with the requirement that the faculty member be involved in a research program as well as service to the Mount Royal community. The teaching/ service pattern (TS) focuses on teaching and service only. The successful candidate for this role will be hired into the teaching/ service pattern (TS). There is an option to change work patterns after tenure.

Counsellors in the teaching/service work pattern offer 22 direct client hours per week, maintain a minimum of 5 hours office time per week, attend department meetings, and offer and attend professional development sessions.  Evidence-based practice and ongoing professional development are key elements of the role. In addition, counsellors contribute to the university through service to the department, to the Division/Arts Faculty, to the university, to the profession, or to the Mount Royal Faculty Association.  There is no requirement to maintain a research portfolio in this appointment.

The successful applicant must have the following qualifications.

• Minimum: a Masters Degree in Counselling/Clinical Psychology or Social Work (Clinical Designation) and current registration as a full member in the College of Alberta Psychologists or Alberta College of Social Workers. Please note: Applicants from the social work discipline must be authorized to perform psychosocial interventions. 
• Competence in the use of culturally-responsive counselling practices, including an understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures, the ability to respond to culturally diverse students’ counselling needs, and a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Competence providing counselling for acute, chronic, and intergenerational trauma.
• Competence in providing short-term personal, career, and educational counselling, crisis intervention, and workshops and groups.  

Assets include:

• Experience working in a post-secondary setting or with an emergent-adult population. 
• Demonstrated ability to promote relationships with a range of diverse groups and services on- and off-campus.
• Ph.D. and/or experience with research and program evaluation.
• Established competence in one or more of the following: substance use/abuse, eating disorders, trauma-intervention, critical-incident support, and/or career counselling interventions.
• Training and experience in the supervision of practicum students doing a masters degree in counselling. 

For more information about Student Counselling Services and Wellness Services, please visit our web site at www.mtroyal.ca/counselling . For additional information please contact Mirjam Knapik, Chair, Student Counselling Services at 403-440-6362 or [email protected].

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. 

At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources, and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days, and free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre. 

Our campus offers the convenience of a full medical clinic, dentist, and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, fitness classes, climbing, aquatics, sports, and certifications for students, employees, and the public. 

Closing Date: Interviewing will commence May 2, 2024. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

Please notify us if you require an accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process.

Interested applicants are invited to submit curriculum vitae and the names of three references, quoting the competition number XXXX.