Student Wellness Community Worker

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which _we live, work and create_

OCAD University, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.

It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Plan and guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship.

**Summary of Responsibilities**:

- Implement client-centred, trauma-informed strategies for the purpose of supporting students’ wellness
- Conduct ongoing assessment of student needs to develop and continually update individualized support plans reflective of students self-determined goals, in collaboration with SWC team and other community supports
- Provide integrated case management and counselling support to students including coordination of care, system navigation, referrals, and advocacy, with internal and external providers
- Participate constructively in relevant internal and external consultation meetings that support the overall work of the SWC and benefits the University community
- Maintain current knowledge and comprehensive understanding of relevant University policies, procedures and practices providing accurate information about the Centre to students and the broader OCAD University community, including faculty and staff
- Coordinate transitions, referrals and supports
- Support students returning to school following leaves of absence, and/or medical/disability related leaves
- Develop relationships with campus partners, and external community resources, building opportunities for referral pathways and collaboration
- Collaborate on the development of resource materials and the delivery of wellness and health promotion outreach
- Liaise with campus stakeholders and work in collaboration to make referrals and review processes and policies through a mental health, equity, accessibility, and wellness lens
- Assess students, including those in crisis, for risk of self-harm/suicide, and respond accordingly, engaging in consultation as required
- Research, plan and implement student group psycho educational sessions and short-term support groups
- Complete timely documentation according to Student Wellness Centre and regulatory policies
- Attend weekly SWC meetings, supervision, and consultations; liaise with SWC staff and leadership regarding case management, professional development, consultation, and crisis management
- Assess for, and when appropriate recommend non-disability accommodations, and/or short-term academic accommodations, liaising with Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
- Participate in evening, or after-hours programming as required
- Engage in continual professional development and relevant learning to remain current and responsive in practice
- Assist the Manager, SWC and Dean of Students and work collaboratively with the SWC team in other related tasks that contribute to the successful operation of the Centre

**Qualifications**:

- Post-secondary degree in Social Work, Counselling, Psychology, Mental Health and Addiction or equivalent; a combination of equivalent education, experience (minimum of 5 years) and/or lived experience will be taken into consideration
- Master’s level education and/or registration with a regulatory body in Ontario considered an asset
- Minimum of five (5) years of work or equivalent experience providing case management, counselling, mental health, settlement/newcomer supports, advocacy and/or disability support
- Second language is an asset
- Familiarity with mental health and behavioural concerns that commonly present in post-secondary students (e.g., depressed/low mood, disordered eating, low self-esteem, anxiety, self-harm, substance use)
- Awareness of the impacts of historical and ongoing colonialism and intergenerational trauma for Indigenous, Metis and Inuit communities, and demonstrated commitment to decolonialization
- Direct experience and awareness of structural and systemic barriers faced by those from marginalized communities, with acute understanding of intersectionality and impacts