Counsellor – Student Affairs and Services

Date Posted: July 7, 2026

Posting Deadline: July 21, 2026

Department: Student Affairs and Services

Type of Employment: Permanent, Full-Time

Group Affiliation: APC Group, Group 7 ($80,889 - $104,245 annually)

At Saint Mary's University, you will be surrounded by a talented and dedicated team of professionals committed to accessibility, diversity, and the provision of a positive and supportive learning environment. We recognize the importance of the contribution and growth of each individual in the University's success. We are currently looking to fill the position of Counsellor to join our Student Affairs and Services team.

What we offer

As a team member at Saint Mary's, we are proud to offer many benefits. Some of these include:

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Defined Contribution Pension plan
• Vacation
• Personal days
• Flexible Workplace
• Professional development
• Holiday closure
• Summer hour schedule
• Employee Transit EPass through Halifax Transit

Job Information and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Manager, Counselling, the Counsellor will:

• Provide individual personal and group counselling/psychotherapy using a brief therapy model to support all student populations including Indigenous students, Black/African Nova Scotian students, international students and students who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, among others.
• Assess and respond to emergency situations and provide crisis response.
• Design and assign individually tailored practice skills for clients.
• Accept and facilitate client referrals both internally and externally.
• Consult with the Manager of Counselling and other counsellors on client cases.
• Be responsible for decision making regarding clients' mental status and risk level (i.e. parental notification).
• Conduct initial intake appointments and determine the best course of action (i.e. continuing with The Counselling Centre or referring students to a more appropriate resource).
• Support the design of educational workshops and promotional materials for counselling.
• Create and collaborate with campus partners to educate faculty, staff and students on mental health topics.

Experience and Education Requirements

To be the successful Counsellor you will have:

• A Masters degree in Arts, Education, Science or Social Work with a concentration/specialization in counselling or psychology is required.
• A minimum of 3 years directly related experience including practicum; preferably in a post-secondary counselling setting.
• Registration (candidate status acceptable) and in good standing with a regulatory body in Nova Scotia (NSRP, NSCCT, NSCSW).
• Current knowledge in the field of counselling gained through study and professional experience.
• Strong assessment skills and experience with crisis counselling required.

Application Details

Apply for this opportunity online using our online application system through Career Beacon. Click on "Apply Now" and complete all required information fields. Qualified candidates should submit the following with their application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Three Professional References

Late applications may not receive consideration. We appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.

At Saint Mary's University equity and diversity are integral to excellence and enrich our community. As an institution committed to fostering an environment of inclusion and respect, we welcome applications from women, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity and others who might contribute to the growth and enrichment of our community.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].