Mental Health Professional

About Northern Gateway Public Schools

Northern Gateway Public Schools (NGPS) is seeking a compassionate, dynamic, and qualified Mental Health Professional (MHP) to support students and families at Pat Hardy Elementary School in Whitecourt, AB.

The Integrated School Support Program (ISSP) is a comprehensive, school-based wellness model managed in partnership with the Calgary Police Youth Foundation (CPYF) and funded by the Government of Alberta Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction. ISSP embeds coordinated support directly into participating schools to strengthen protective factors for children, foster resilience, improve engagement, and promote positive social-emotional development. The program integrates five core pillars: mental health supports, daily nutrition programming, daily physical activity, structured school-based programming, and positive police engagement.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

As the ISSP Mental Health Professional, you will provide school-based mental health interventions, consultation, and support tailored to elementary school students. Key accountabilities include:

• Assessment & Therapeutic Support: Provide assessment, consultation, brief interventions, individual/group support, and therapeutic programming within your professional scope of practice.
• Early Identification: Support early screening and identification of learning, emotional, behavioural, social, or mental health concerns.
• Caseload Management & Prevention: Manage an appropriate caseload of students needing individualized support while contributing to school-wide wellness and early prevention activities.
• Classroom & Unstructured Support: Provide in-class consultation or support to assist teachers with student dysregulation, and support students during unstructured times such as arrival, dismissal, recess, and lunch.
• Staff & Caregiver Consultation: Provide guidance, feedback, and strategies to teachers, school administration, and families regarding trauma, emotional regulation, behaviour, and attendance.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Consult with external professionals and agencies—including pediatricians, CASA, 211, and community mental health providers—to coordinate student support pathways.
• Community Engagement: Build positive relationships across the school community through visible participation in school events, parent-teacher conferences, and community engagement activities.
• Professional Learning & Program Standards: Complete the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative (AFWI) Brain Story Certification within 12 months, participate in CPYF's monthly ISSP Community of Practice, and assist with program data collection and reporting.

Qualifications & Requirements

Applicants must hold active registration/licensure under one of the following recognized professional categories:

• Registered Social Worker (RSW): Licensed by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW). Master of Social Work (MSW) preferred.
• Registered Counsellor: Registered with the Association of Counselling Therapy of Alberta (ACTA) or the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) with specialized master's-level training.

Additional Knowledge & Competencies

• Demonstrated expertise in child development, trauma-informed practices, emotional regulation strategies, and evidence-based therapeutic modalities (e.g., Play Therapy, CBT, Theraplay).
• Proven experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary school teams and community agencies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, crisis intervention capabilities, and organizational ability to track service outcomes.
• Total Compensation & Benefits
• Salary Range: $86,000 - $100, 000 annually
• Professional Growth: Access to provincial peer consultation, specialized training, and collaborative professional learning through the ISSP network.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter detailing their professional credentials and experience with children and youth to:

Janine Dougans

Director of Human Resources

Northern Gateway Public Schools

Box 840, 4816-49 Avenue, Whitecourt, AB T7S 1N8

[email protected]

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.