Mental Health and Addictions Counsellor

• Shift Work: Shift Work Required
• Unionized Position: Yes
• Regular or Restricted: Local Residents Only

Title: Mental Health and Addictions Counsellor 
Department: Justice
Community: Iqaluit  
Requisition Number: 927
Type of Employment: Indeterminate

Salary range: $110,374 to $125,283 per year, 40 hours/week

Northern Allowance: $16,328 per year
Housing: Subsidized Staff Housing is not Available
Union Status: Nunavut Employees Union
Closing date: October 2, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m. eastern time

This employment opportunity is restricted to residents of Iqaluit only.

An eligibility list may be created to fill future vacancies.

Reporting to the Manager, Health Services, the Mental Health and Addictions Counsellor provides front-line mental health and addictions services and support to clients in custody across Nunavut who are affected by mental health disorders, suicidal ideation and self-injurious behaviour, family violence, and/or addictions. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, the position provides practical assistance, advocacy, individualized and group support, and programming to help custodial clients improve their mental well-being and actively participate in their mental health wellness and rehabilitation.

Responsibilities

Main responsibilities for the Mental Health and Addictions Counsellor include:

• Being a member of the Nunavut Corrections Health Services inter-disciplinary team to establish, promote and maintain a therapeutic and supportive environment for custodial clients
• Providing clinical supportive interventions according to the treatment plan and practice scope
• Providing life-skills coaching that promotes independent living and personal development through interpersonal skill development
• Facilitating client education / teaching and interventions based on the needs of the client and in support of the interdisciplinary team
• Monitoring / reporting verbally and in writing of client behaviour in all environments and documenting client progress according to established policies and procedures
• Providing one-on-one support for a person experiencing a mental health and/or addictions crisis
• Delivering approved and evidence-based programs for custodial clients that focus on wellness themes, such as building healthy relationships, positive coping skills, effective communication, and social-emotional understanding
• Incorporating Inuit knowledge in their work by applying IQ Principles, and integrating knowledge of Inuit culture, history, and language

Qualifications

The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this job are usually obtained through:

• A diploma in social services, mental health, or related field;
• Two years of experience working in mental health or a related field that includes:
• Utilizing Trauma-informed approaches to interventions
• Suicide / Self-Injury identification and Intervention
• Valid driver’s license is required;
• Experience with crisis negotiation is an asset
• Current first aid and CPR is an asset

This is a Highly Sensitive Position and a satisfactory Criminal Record Check, along with a clear Vulnerable Sector Check is required.

The Official Languages of Nunavut are Inuktut, English and French. Applicants may submit their resume in any of the official languages of Nunavut. Fluency in more than one of Nunavut’s official languages would be considered an asset. Knowledge of Inuit communities, culture, land,Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, Inuktut and experience working in a northern cross-cultural environment are also considered assets.

Acceptable combinations of education and experience may be considered for this position. We encourage you to apply if you have equivalent years of education and/or experience equal to the education and experience requirements listed above.

• The Government of Nunavut is committed to creating a representative workforce; therefore, priority will be given to Nunavut Inuit who self-identify as being enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement in accordance with the Priority Hiring Policy.
• Government of Nunavut employees serving a probationary period must obtain and provide written authorization from the deputy head of their employing department. The authorization from the deputy head must accompany your application for your application to be considered.
• Possession of a criminal record may not disqualify candidates from being considered. An assessment of the criminal record will be measured against the scope and duties of the position. This is only a requirement for positions that require a satisfactory criminal record or vulnerable sector check.
• Applicants may submit their resume in any of the Official Languages of Nunavut.
• Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
• The onus is on candidates in receipt of foreign post-secondary education credentials to have their foreign credentials assessed through a recognized Canadian education institution.  Failure to do so may result in the rejection of their application.

About Us

The Government of Nunavut was selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Top Employers for Young People and recent graduates. With one of the fastest growing and youngest populations in Canada, Nunavut is a dynamic, vibrant territory, committed to becoming an even better place for future generations.  As a government, we are strengthening our unique model of governance - one that integrates Inuit societal values, promotes use of the Inuktut language, achieves a representative public service, and collaborates with partners to achieve the promise of Nunavut. Successful applicants will enjoy a competitive salary, medical and dental benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, relocation privileges and opportunities for training and career advancement.