Student Support and Outreach Coordinator

Student Affairs and Outreach is a team of Social Workers who support students throughout their academic journey. The team provides direct support to students, educational programming, crisis response, and consultation to faculty, staff, and students who are concerned about a student. https://students.usask.ca/health/centres/student-affairs-and-outreach.php#Urgentassistance

Primary Purpose: The Student Support and Outreach Coordinator will contribute to the mission of the Student Affairs and Outreach team by providing direct support to students who are in crisis, facing challenges, or navigating multiple responsibilities that are impacting their academic and personal success. We strive to help students reach their optimum level of wellness through direct practical support, coaching, education, mentorship, education, guidance, crisis intervention, crisis management, problem solving, resource navigation, linking & liaising with campus and community resources, and ongoing follow-up care. This position is a collaboration with the College of Engineering and the successful candidate will work directly with College of Engineering students and be positioned within the college.

Nature of Work: Reporting directly to the Manager, Student Affairs and Outreach. The Student Support and Outreach Coordinator will manage a diverse range of student cases within a high-pressure environment and must demonstrate a competence in crisis intervention and response and case management. Sensitivity, assertiveness, diplomacy and an astute understanding of mental health is required to answer questions, provide support, educate, advise, coach and guide students. The person will have the ability to multi-task, weigh competing demands, and exercise discretionary decision making in a high-pressured environment with changing and conflicting priorities within tight timelines. This individual will work collaboratively with members of the Student Affairs and Outreach team, the Student Wellness Centre, all other academic and non-academic campus units, and community resources. This position will require work outside of the regular university business hours, including some evenings and weekends.

Accountabilities:

• Provide direct support to students of concern, students at risk, students with varying degrees of distress including those experiencing thoughts suicide or suicide behaviours, students who are victim/survivors or respondents of sexual violence, students who have complex challenges or multiple needs of support, students experiencing behavioural challenges, and students with complex challenges.
• Provide practical support, coaching, education, mentorship, crisis intervention, problem solving, resource navigation, linking & liaising with campus and community resources, and ongoing follow-up care to support students with managing personal functioning, general improvements with their wellbeing, navigating Usask systems and accessing campus and community supports, mapping policy process pathways, care coordination, and supporting students with difficult academic-related conversations.
• Work collaboratively with the Student Affairs and Outreach team, Student Wellness Centre, other U of S units (both academic and non-academic) including the staff and faculty in the College of Engineering, and/or off campus supports to provide care and support to students. NOTE: All collaborative work must fall within the guidelines outlined in our Code of Ethics for Social Work practice.
• Act as a resource on mental health, wellness and harm reduction inquires. Provide guidance and relevant information to students, faculty, staff who seek guidance or express concern about a student.
• Consult, provide guidance, and assist with students who are exhibiting difficult, challenging, and disruptive behaviours.
• Initiate, coordinate, and provide case management services for incoming and outgoing referrals to and from community agencies including community counselling services, addiction services, transition team, and the Dube Centre.
• Respond, support, and coordinate care for victim/survivors of sexual violence and the respondents.
• Ensure charting is entered accurately and in a timely manner into the electronic information system(s).
• Maintain and update case management statistics.
• Continue to develop and maintain partnerships and relationships with community resources.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of processes ensuring services meet professional and industry standards.
• Collaborate with College of Engineering to create, facilitate, promote, deliver, and evaluate mental health and wellness workshops, positive mental health and wellness campaigns, and other presentations targeted at key areas of student need.
• Assist with the creation and delivery of orientation, first year transition and student retention strategies and initiatives
• Other duties as assigned by the Manager, Student Affairs and Outreach.

Education: A master’s degree in Social Work. Will consider a degree in Social Work with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in case management and workshop facilitation. A certified facilitator for Mental Health First Aid, ASIST and/or safeTALK would be an asset.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years’ experience in case management services is required. Experience working collaboratively with community partners and multi-disciplinary teams. Experience within a post-secondary environment would be an asset. Must have the following demonstrated knowledge: coaching, crisis intervention, and case management practices & strategies; thorough understanding of developmental issues of late adolescence (e.g. relationships, mental health, disordered eating, transition, etc.) and the student life cycle; familiarity with Usask policies and procedures; and on and off campus support services.

Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills; strong assessment skills and the ability to make sound decisions regarding the care of others. Strong organizational skills, time management skills, and crisis intervention and case management skills are essential in working in this high-volume, high-demand environment. Being resourceful and paying attention to detail; ability to work in a high stress environment; Proactive with the ability to take initiative; work independently with minimal supervision; a proven ability to work cooperatively with others in a multi-disciplinary team environment; ability to set priorities and follow through on accountabilities; and maintain a high degree of confidentiality are essential. Being able to manage difficult and sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.

Department: Student Affairs and Outreach
Status: Term 2 years with the possibility of extension or becoming permanent
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 0.5 with the possibility of fulltime hours
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $64,107.00 - 100,169.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 2
Posted Date: 12/16/2022
Closing Date: 1/22/2023
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check: Yes
Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Yes
Vulnerable Sector Check: Yes

Please review the University of Saskatchewan's health and safety requirements for faculty, staff and students in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The University believes equity, diversity, and inclusion strengthen the community and enhance excellence, innovation and creativity. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request. The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. Together, we are uplifting Indigenization to a place of prominence at the University of Saskatchewan.