Work With Us
Join Our Team
Tsë lhts’ënc’il nec’igekh be yikh offers a culturally safe place for youth to grow, become independent, and feel connected and whole. We provide a holistic approach to addressing trauma and promoting wellness and wellbeing for youth - giving youth a safe space that supports their physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional healing and well-being. Working with us, you’ll have the opportunity to help young people heal by reconnecting them with the land, culture, and community.
We have recently begun the hiring process for key leadership positions to help develop our operations leading to opening in early 2025. Please review the available positions below and reach out to us at any time if you have questions.
Tsë lhts’ënc’il nec’igekh be yikh wishes to thank all applicants in advance. However, only those granted a review or an interview will be contacted.
Current Opportunities
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The Position
The Counsellor is a full-time, pivotal role at Split Rock Healing House focused on building trusting, respectful relationships with Indigenous youth. As a positive role model and compassionate advocate, the Counsellor leads daily one-on-one and group counselling sessions, conducts assessments, and designs culturally sensitive treatment plans that integrate both Western and traditional First Nations practices. This role emphasizes creative, strategic, and trauma-informed approaches to care-planning, intervention, and on-site support, ensuring a safe, supportive environment that empowers youth and enhances their overall well-being.
The counsellor should be:
Creative, strategic and confident in their approach to youth work.
Passionate about empowering Indigenous youth.
Have a strong spirit of collaboration, dependability, positivity, and a love of what they do.
Believe in open and positive communication with everyone.
A desire to give back to the community by being a positive role model for youth.
Duties & ResponsibilitiesThe Counsellor shall be responsible for:
Establishing a strong therapeutic rapport with youth and interdisciplinary team members, providing case management, advocacy, and informal counselling
Leading individual and group counselling sessions, conducting comprehensive assessments, including risk assessments, and coordinating culturally appropriate care for Indigenous youth with complex mental health concerns using evidence-based practices
Developing and implementing safety plans as part of individualized treatment, ensuring youth and staff are supported in managing risks.
Collaborating with external agencies to develop, review, and adjust individualized treatment plans
Providing culturally sensitive interventions, integrating both Western therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and traditional Indigenous healing practices
Organizing, supervising, and facilitating therapeutic activities for youth, ensuring accurate clinical documentation, including progress notes, treatment plans, and case summaries, while maintaining compliance with confidentiality and regulatory requirements
Supporting youth in daily living through the development of a trusting, non-judgmental relationship, while modeling positive behaviours
Collaborating with external counsellors to provide ongoing support and professional development for staff
Prior to opening, contributing to the overall project design to support Indigenous youth including but not limited to:
Selection and implementation of healing modalities that will be used
Determining number, type and frequency of individual, group and family sessions
Guide development and implementation of intake and assessment process
Qualifications
Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:
A minimum of Five (5) years experience working with youth and their family (of which at least Two (2) or more are with First Nation’s youth and their families), with responsibility for providing a wide range of community based mental health services.
A strong understanding and knowledge of First Nations culture
Two (2) two years recent related experience in areas requiring understanding of trauma in the context of Indigenous people
An understanding of mental health and alcohol and drug addiction issues
Knowledge and ability to conduct psychiatric and suicide risk assessments
Psychiatric and addictions treatment methodologies, crisis intervention and response techniques and strategies, the change process, and community dynamics
Knowledge of available programs and services, their interrelationships, and their function in delivering care
Knowledge of applicable legislation, such as the Mental Health Act, Child Protection legislation, and the Adult Guardianship Act
Experience conducting individual, group, and family therapy.
Experience working with Moderate to Severe Mental Health.
Experience working with substance use disorders and harm reduction.
Experience working providing culturally appropriate therapy.
Experience working within a trauma-informed practice.
Two years of relevant counselling work/clinical practice and/or equivalent experience (such as a combination of clinical practice with adults, social work, addictions counselling, child and youth care).
Understanding of the intergenerational impacts of the residential school systems, colonization, the First Nations Community, and an understanding and willingness to participate in First Nations protocols, practices, and ceremonies.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, coupled with strong crisis intervention and conflict mediation skills.
Demonstrated knowledge of mental health issues, addiction issues, concurrent disorders, and FASD.
Satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check.
Must possess and maintain a valid class 5 BC Driver’s license with no restriction or equivalent (i.e. from another Canadian Province).
EducationMaster's degree in Counselling, Social Work, Educational Counselling, Clinical Counselling, Clinical Psychology or Child and Youth Care or comparable graduate degree at the Master’s level from an accredited university.
Registration with (or eligible for registration with) the relevant professional body as required (BCCSW, BCPA) or certification with either the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (RCC) or the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCC).
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APPLY NOW!
Do you hold a masters degree in Counselling (Educational, Clinical or other), Clinical Psychology, Child & Youth Care or comparable degree at the Master’s level from an accredited university?
Do you have at least 5 years of experience working with youth and their families?
Are you registered with, or eligible for registration with the appropriate regulatory college or professional association for counsellors or psychologists in BC or Canada (i.e. BCCSW, BCPA, RCC, CCC)?
Submit your resume to info@splitrockhealinghouse.ca
More jobs will become available and will be posted as we get closer to our opening.
Training opportunities for these positions will be available in community in advance.
Let us know if you are interested or have questions!
To Apply for a Job:
Submit your resume to info@splitrockhealinghouse.ca
Future Positions
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Helps individuals transition to post Healing Lodge living with a focus on connecting them to services they may need such as ongoing counselling, life skill advancement, etc. Responsible for celebrating youths’ achievements and progress through the program, as well as continuing to follow up once they finish their program- and ensuring that they feel part of the extended Tsë lhts’ënc’il nec’igekh be yikh family, are invited to events, and are able to participate as mentors or volunteers for future groups. Also works to integrate family (biological, chosen or otherwise) into the care plan of the youth and offer support for their healing journey as well to better support the youth when they leave the program.
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Youth Workers are responsible for ensuring the safe operations of Tsë lhts’ënc’il nec’igekh be yikh, including running and participating in program activities, and fostering empowerment and belonging for youth within a supportive, culturally open and accessible environment. The youth worker positions will be a combination of parttime and full-time roles, but will include: 2 full-time, live-in positions to better support the youth and foster an environment of ‘home’ during program sessions.
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A key position to integrate cultural teachings from elders and community not just for those from Witset or who are Wet’suwet’en, but from many Nations through the north. Recognizing the importance to bring inclusiveness to the cultural activities so that all youth can feel welcome and find reconnection to their roots wherever they are from.
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Elders & Knowledge Keepers will also be supported through regular honorariums and be involved in all aspects of program development and execution to support cultural learning and practices. They will help provide youth with the opportunity to learn and practice their history, culture, language, and traditions of their ancestors, and provide understanding for how these traditions can help them integrate back into their communities and families.
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The Janitor for Tsë lhts’ënc’il nec’igekh be yikhshall be responsible for ensuring that the facility remains in good working condition at all times, is a clean and sanitary home for youth, and conducts preventative maintenance as required.
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From time to time we may seek to bring in volunteers to lead, participate in, or help with things like events, special skills training and/or other activities at Tsë lhts’ënc’il nec’igekh be yikh.
Volunteers will be asked to positively participate in programming and activities as required in order to provide a positive role model experience for youth residing at the Witset Youth Healing Lodge, and develop a trusting, non-judgmental rapport with the youth.
“Our ancestors, we used to plan seasonally, well in advance.”
- Witset Youth on planning for future generations
Why work at Tsë lhts’ënc’il nec’igekh be yikh?
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Indigenous youth in the Northern Health Region of British Columbia (BC) lack access to residential programs that provide specific support for mental health and holistic healing. Despite representing 35.6% of the First Nations population in BC, there are currently very few Indigenous-led treatment facilities in the region, with the three most relevant offering a combined 30 beds for Indigenous youth in need. As a result, Indigenous youth often have few options and face long wait times for care.
A serious need exists for a place where Indigenous youth can access care that acknowledges the social determinants of health and takes a more holistic approach to healing. Currently, hospitals are not a safe option for youth due to systemic racism in the healthcare system, as highlighted in Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond's recent report "In Plain Sight." Interventions that respect Indigenous holistic values and traditions, and promote resilience factors already present in Indigenous culture are more likely to be successful in supporting youth on their healing journey.
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To prioritize the mental health of all staff members, Tsë lhts’ënc’il nec’igekh be yikh acknowledges the challenging and emotionally taxing nature of working with individuals who have experienced trauma. Staff members, regardless of their level of training, may find it difficult, triggering, and draining. Therefore, the healing lodge provides counseling services to staff members who require emotional support after a difficult session, as well as days off to recuperate.
Furthermore, the healing lodge recognizes that employees may also experience personal crises outside of work. In such cases, the lodge encourages a compassionate and understanding approach and offers access to external support services to ensure that employees have the necessary resources to cope with difficult situations.
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Tsë lhts’ënc’il nec’igekh be yikh wishes to maintain a work environment that fosters personal and professional growth for all employees while prioritizing the mental health and wellness of all staff. We are looking for team members who will help us uphold a culture that will:
Foster cooperation and communication amongst all staff
Ensure everyone treats each other in a fair manner, with dignity and respect
Promote harmony and teamwork in all relationships
Encourage and consider the opinions of other employees or members, and invite their participation in decisions that affect their work and their careers
Encourage growth and development of employees by helping them achieve their personal goals at the Witset Youth Healing Lodge and beyond
Seek to avoid workplace conflict, and if it occurs, respond fairly and quickly to provide the means to resolve it
Administer all policies equitably and fairly, recognizing that jobs are different but each is important; that individual performance should be recognized and measured against predetermined standards; and that each employee has the right to fair treatment
Recognizing that employees in their personal lives may experience crises and showing compassion and understanding in such a situation
Strive for mutual understanding of standards for performance expectations, and communicate this routinely to reinforce that understanding
Incorporate and elevate Wet’suwet’en and Indigenous culture and knowledge into all aspects of Tsë lhts’ënc’il nec’igekh be yikh
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In order to ensure every staff member is able to experience personal and professional development during their term of employment at Tsë lhts’ënc’il nec’igekh be yikh, the organization will not run an active program approximately 6 weeks per year. This will allow Tsë lhts’ënc’il nec’igekh be yikh to:
Ensure time for continued training and professional development.
Ongoing training (required and requested) will be provided during these weeks.
Program assessment, adaptation and updates to occur that incorporate lessons learned from previous sessions into the plan for future sessions.
Ensure the mental health of all staff is prioritized.
Ongoing work with individuals suffering from various types of trauma can be difficult, triggering and draining - even for highly trained staff. It is important for this to be recognized and respected for all staff members. Counseling will be provided to staff during these times in addition to days off to recuperate after a difficult session.
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Competitive salary
Comprehensive benefits package
RRSP matching up to 5%
Interesting, challenging work that directly benefits Indigenous youth in BC
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Witset First Nation who operates Tsë lhts’ënc’il nec’igekh be yikh provides equal employment opportunities to all, regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, political belief, creed, disability that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions or that cannot be accommodated, or conviction for which a pardon has been granted.
Should two or more applicants have comparable or equivalent skills and qualifications, preference will be given, in the following order, to:
Persons with specific knowledge of and/or experience with the Wet'suwet' en language, culture, history and customs;
Persons of Aboriginal, Metis or Inuit ancestry;
All others
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We will provide thorough training and orientation for all positions. We understand not everyone has formal education, so an emphasis will be to work with & identify community members who exude natural empathy & competency, and help these individuals to achieve by providing them thorough training & orientation that suits the positions they are interested in attaining in the future (both in the short-term & long-term).
Upcoming training sessions will be available soon on our website and shared on social media accounts.
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Position is posted on our website and job boards
Applicants apply to position by closing date (if applicable) by submitting their resume
Resumes are reviewed
Screening questionnaire designed by Witset youth sent to selected candidates
Questionnaires are reviewed
Interviews with successful candidates are scheduled
Successful candidates are selected, references are conducted and criminal record/vulnerable sector checks are completed
Final interviews scheduled (if applicable)
Letter of offers presented to successful candidate
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