Student Wellness Coordinator

Position Job Title: Student Wellness Coordinator

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent (Onsite)

Reports To: Student Experience Manager

Primary Purpose:

Under the direction of Student Experience Manager, the Student Wellness Coordinator plays a pivotal role in supporting the overall health and wellbeing of UNF students. The Student Wellness Coordinator will be the primary point of contact to assist students with health and wellness related matters, while driving university-wide health-related initiatives, programs, and events focused on raising awareness and health literacy. The Student Wellness Coordinator will have expertise in health and wellbeing, play a very active role within the university community, and provide timely health-related support and intervention to students as needed. This role works collaboratively with a team of Student Experience staff, along with other colleagues at UNF, to collectively provide robust support for students, ensuring their smooth transition, holistic development, sense of belonging, well-being, and ultimate success at UNF.

Specific Responsibilities:

Health Education and Promotion

• Develop a comprehensive health and wellness program, collaborating with Student Success colleagues, encompassing mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and environmental health.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute a wide variety of student-focused health-related services, programs, and events to promote and raise awareness of health and wellbeing in the UNF community.
• Strategize and create health campaigns and initiatives on topics such as nutrition, exercise, smoking awareness, health risk assessment, and sexual health.
• Develop promotional strategies to raise awareness of health and wellness initiatives within the university community, in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Analyze and respond to current societal and cultural trends to deliver innovative wellness programs that meet the contemporary needs of students.
• Develop and implement initiatives to improve students’ understanding of health information, including providing workshops and creating materials on topics such as interpreting medical information, understanding health risks, and making informed health decisions.
• Provide staff training sessions on relevant health topics impacting students.
• Assist students in navigating academic policies, procedures, and campus resources.
• As a key contributor in New Student Orientation (NSO), collaborate with the Student Success Team to create and facilitate a successful onboarding experience for new students. Develop and deliver orientation sessions on topics showcasing health and wellness resources.

Student Support and Advocacy

• Provide timely health counseling and crisis intervention to students in distress and in need of wellness support or assistance.
• Support students and their families (spouses or dependents) who may need outside intervention by securing partnerships with local community support like daycares, social workers, youth services, family settlement services, etc.
• Recommend and develop procedures and policies related to health and wellness.
• Be mindful and knowledgeable of the geopolitical, cultural, and religious perspectives of health and wellness, and strategize on how to address these factors using a student-focused approach.
• Coordinate, develop, and implement programs that promote a sense of belonging among students, responding to student needs in equity-deserving (i.e. 2SLGBTQIA+, Indigenous, racialized) communities.
• Collaborate with campus partners to develop an integrated approach to support at-risk students. Serve as a referral point for students in need.

Student Supervision

• Coordinate the delivery of the peer health education program, including communicating with and mentoring student leaders, and scheduling trainings and meetings.
• Coach student leaders in developing health resources for the program, such as pamphlets, posters, booths, workshop materials, podcasts, and social media posts.
• Recruit student leaders and volunteers, reviewing applications and conducting interviews.
• Develop and deliver training for student leaders.
• Provide guidance, support, and motivation to student leaders to foster their development and growth of transferrable skills gained through the program.

Assessment and Evaluation

• Identify the individual, group, and organizational health risk factors and wellness needs of students by using a variety of student-focused assessment tools.
• Collect data to evaluate and assess the effectiveness of health and wellness programs; suggest and execute improvements as identified.

Communication and Outreach

• Actively participate and engage with local community activities, programs, and committees which could directly or indirectly affect the overall health and wellness of students.
• Develop and distribute informational resources for incoming and current students, as well as UNF staff.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with community resources dedicated to supporting student mental health and wellbeing, contributing to a network of assistance and guidance.

Administration & Other

• Facilitate the administration of the student health insurance program (Guard.Me) and mental health support app (Keep.meSAFE).
• Collaborate closely with Student Experience colleagues to provide integrated student services, supports, and resources to UNF students.
• Participate in a weekly rotation on the information desk, providing front-line student support, addressing queries and concerns, and making referrals as necessary.
• Conduct research on best practices, engage with professional associations, and connect with institutional and GUS Canada partners to stay well informed.
• Lead special projects and initiatives as assigned by the Student Experience Manager or other members of the UNF Leadership Team.
• Work collaboratively within a team to conceptualize and create space for new and innovative programming at UNF. Partner with campus colleagues to bring these visions to fruition.
• Be available for some evening and weekend work, such as during student orientation.
• Perform other tasks as assigned, contributing to the overall success of UNF.

Position Requirements:

Competencies:

• Highly self-motivated and directed.
• Demonstrates effective prioritization and decision-making in high-pressure environments.
• Capable of handling diverse situations, multiple projects, and rapidly changing priorities.
• Exhibits excellent collaboration and partnership development skills, building trust and cooperation with various stakeholders.
• Possesses strong presentation and interpersonal skills, influencing others with empathy and political acumen.
• Maintains a professional manner with tact, diplomacy, and discretion when dealing with colleagues and the public.
• Demonstrates exceptional customer service skills in handling inquiries and resolving issues.
• Displays excellent listening skills, gathering accurate information and evidence.
• Exercises diplomacy, negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills.
• Possesses creative problem-solving abilities and exercises sound professional judgment, especially in handling confidential/sensitive matters.
• Demonstrates intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office, with a quick learning ability for new programs.
• Displays a strong student-centric orientation.
• Exhibits proficiency in facilitating training sessions, showcasing strong presentation skills.
• Maintains flexibility and willingness to work outside regular business hours to meet organizational needs.

Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree and/or diploma in a related field.
• Additional education and training in public health, mental health first aid, ASIST, or related is considered an asset.
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience in student services, preferably at the post-secondary level, including:
• Experience in areas related to student support and promoting student success.
• Experience in counseling, health coaching, mentoring, and/or crisis intervention.
• Experience supporting international communities and communicating effectively with a variety of audiences.
• Experience working with people in an advisory or customer service role in a busy and multifaceted team, providing confidential, responsive, helpful, and friendly service.
• Experience supporting operations in a college/university environment, event planning and event coordination.

Diversity and Inclusivity Statement

University of Niagara Falls, Canada (UNF) is strongly committed to equity, diversity, and inclusivity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of color, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. University of Niagara Falls, Canada recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, UNF will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

We greatly appreciate your time and efforts in applying for the position at University of Niagara Falls Canada, however, please note only successful candidates will be contacted.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact jobs@unfc.com