Department of Human Resources
OPSEU Job Description
Job Title:
Job Number:
NOC:
Band:
Department:
Supervisor Title:
Cultural Counsellor
A-122
4033
9
First Peoples House of Learning
Director, First Peoples House of Learning
Last Reviewed:
July 31, 2015
Job Purpose
Under the direction of the Director, First Peoples House of Learning, provide professional
personal counselling and advising services based on a holistic Indigenous Knowledge sharing
model for Indigenous students at Trent University campuses. The Cultural Counsellor is a
professional counselling position with a significant focus on supporting Indigenous student
wellness, cultural knowledge sharing, student success, and community services relations
building toward a sustainable support services network for all Trent University Indigenous
students and those affiliated with First Peoples House of Learning.
Key Activities
1. Provide Indigenous based personal guidance and personal counselling to all Indigenous
students and students affiliated with First Peoples House of Learning (FPHL) at Trent
University.
2. Work in partnerhsip with local Peterborough and Trent University support services to
build a network of support services and referral services for Indigenous students and
students affiliated with First Peoples House of Learning at Trent University.
3. Provide cultural-based support, advice and assistance for Trent University Faculty, Staff
and Student Groups & relevant committees toward ensuring student personal and
academic success.
4. Assist FPHL in providing workshops to improve cultural capacity and Indigenous
knowledge sharing for Trent students, faculty, and staff.
5. Coordinate contacts with Elders for the provision of services specific to the Visiting
Elders and Traditional Teaching events.
6. Work with First Peoples House of Learning staff to assist in the promotion of and
awareness building around Indigenous cultural issues within Trent University.
7. Promote diverse Indigenous cultural teachings, histories, and practices of Indigenous
Peoples.
Job Number: A-122
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Last Updated: July 31, 2015
8. Assist the Director, Student Success Coordinator, Indigenous Enrolment Advisor and
Biishkaa Coordinator,to continue to build and implement a strategic plan to increase
Indigenous student enrollment and retention.
9. Work with the Director to implement and co-ordinate an identified program of
traditional cultural events at Trent University for students, faculty and staff and
community.
10. Assist in organizing social & cultural events that bring staff, students, alumni & faculty
together.
11. Coordinate the planning and delivery of the annual Elders & Traditional Peoples
Gathering.
12. Assist the Director with reports to Trent, MTCU, and funders.
13. Assist the Director with proposals for Culture-Based program of service.
14. Liase with the Trent University Traditional Advisory Council.
15. Coordinate with community partners in the delivery and sharing of resources, where
appropriate. i.e. visiting elder and traditional teachers.
16. Provide cultural and counseling support at the Oshawa campus. Applicants should
expect to be spending 20% of their time at the Oshawa campus.
17. Other duties as assigned.
Analytical Reasoning
Indicate degree of complexity or difficulty of thinking and reasoning required by the job. Provide a
relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job (i.e. not an occasional duty).
Decision Making
Indicate the degree of freedom to exercise initiative or act independently in making day- to-day decisions.
Provide a relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job (i.e. not an
occasional duty).
Impact
Indicate the impact or consequence to the department or University of typical actions or decisions taken by
the job incumbent. Provide a relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job
(i.e. not an occasional duty).
Education
 Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Social Work, Psychology); or,
 A program in Indigenous practice of psychotherapy recognized by the
Registration Committee of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
or by a body that is approved by the Registration Committee
Experience Required

Registered Counselling Certification, preferrably the Native Counsellor Training Program
from the Ontario Native Education Counsellors Association
Job Number: A-122
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Last Updated: July 31, 2015
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Three years of experience teaching and sharing Indigenous Cultural Knowledge, either
through workshops, classrooms, or in community services provision, including three
years of directly-related professional counselling experience.
Extensive Indigenous community development or partnership building experience.
Strong knowledge of Indigenous knowledge sharing protocols.
Demonstrated interest and knowledge of Indigenous history, language and culture.
Excellent cross-cultural communication skills (verbal and written); ability to
communicate information in a clear, consistent and courteous manner.
Intermediate level computer skills in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Outstanding customer service skills.
High level of attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality required.
Demonstrated tact, diplomacy, and objectivity.
Proven judgment and discretion in dealing with confidential and sensitive matters.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in diverse team environments.
The ability to relate effectively with students from varying social, academic, economic
and cultural backgrounds.
Responsibility for the Work of Others
Direct Responsibility
Firekeepers - Student Employees
Indirect Responsibility
Elders in the Elders in Residence program and Traditional Teaching Nights
Communication
Internal:
 Indigenous Studies Chair
 Indigenous Student Advisor
 Enrollment Advisor
 Biishkaa Coordinator
 Disability Services
 Counselling Services
External:
 Elders/Traditional Teachers
 Aboriginal Community Members
 Local Aboriginal Community Supports Services Providers
Motor/ Sensory Skills
Indicate the level of proficiency or precision in motor or sensory skills required by the job. Examples
include but are not limited to: small/large movement to operate machinery; coordinated movement;
equilibrium to maintain balance; dexterity to grasp, move, assemble objects or operate equipment;
Job Number: A-122
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Last Updated: July 31, 2015
hearing, sight, touch, smell, taste. Provide a brief description of tasks performed that require
motor/sensory skills.
Effort
Mental:
 Providing Counselling Services - Task requires skills in developing positive sustainable
working relations with students and complementary support services providers within
Trent and the Peterborough area
Working Conditions
Psychological:
 Mental Acuity - Providing up-to-date counseling services for students grounded in an
Indigenous Holistic Knowledge Base
Job Description Approved by Human Resources (as per Article 17.1):
Name (print):
Signature:
Date:
Signatures - indicating that the job description has been read and understood:
Incumbent
Name (print):
Signature:
Date:
Immediate Supervisor:
Name (print):
Signature:
Date:
Department Head/ Dean:
Name (print):
Signature:
Date:
Job Number: A-122
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Last Updated: July 31, 2015