Associate Director Suicide Prevention and Crisis Management

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Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Dean of Students, the Associate Director, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Management is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of the University’s Student Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Framework, the monitoring, evaluation and reporting mechanisms, as well as the supervision of the daily operations of the team under their responsibility. The Associate Director is also in charge of the information, education, and communication activities, and all partnerships related to suicide prevention and management and will act as a representative of the University where necessary.

Primary responsibilities:

Framework design, implementation, and maintenance:

• Leads the development and implementation of university-wide strategic vision, objectives, protocols, and procedures related to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.
• Creates official supporting and guiding documents for the University (e.g.: how to talk about suicide in the media and social media).
• Ensures protocols, procedures, and guiding documents are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the McGill community’s needs.

Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting:

• Develops reporting and accountability mechanisms for the University to ensure compliance with provincial guidelines including privacy and protection.
• Ensures official reporting on suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention at the Office of the Dean of Students.
• Works in collaboration with the Director of Assessment and Evaluation to develop and implement an evaluation protocol.

Supervision of daily operations:

• Supervises the daily operations of case management including coaching and support to the case managers, review of safety plans for students, etc.
• Oversees the development of the case management team to support the implementation of crisis support and the student suicide prevention framework across the University.
• Provides support to the McGill community during crisis and postvention activities, including students dealing with suicidality.

Information, education, and communication:

• Contributes to the development of a communication strategy and related tools (protocols, toolkits, brochures, web pages, etc.).
• Collaborates with internal and external partners for the development and deployment of suicide-related trainings.
• Provides senior professional expertise and support to student groups, faculty administration and staff to manage suicide crisis situations (students with suicide ideation or returning after a suicide attempt, etc.).
• Support the McGill communications department and McGill student media outlets to appropriately communicate a student death by suicide (media, social media, communicating with faculties and families, etc.).

Partnerships and representation:

• Leads departments and faculties collaboration in the postvention activities and communications in the event of a student death by suicide.
• Collaborates with the Student Wellness Hub and other internal partners and stakeholders to assess training needs and structure a training program adapted for the McGill community.
• Establishes relevant committees related to suicide prevention and crisis management (Student Suicide Prevention Framework (SSPF), Implementation and Assessment, Postvention, etc.).
• Leads the development and maintains partnerships with external agencies and partners regarding agreements, protocols, education and training, etc.
• Represents the University for suicide prevention, intervention and postvention external activities, forums, or conferences.

Education and experience:

• Undergraduate degree in social work, psychology, or counseling.
• Training Certificate in Suicide Prevention from the Association Québécoise de prévention du suicide (AQPS) required.
• Five years of relevant experience.

Other qualifications:

• Team and project management skills and experience. Experience mentoring staff is strongly preferred.  
• Recognized expertise in holistic wellness crisis management in emerging adulthood with an emphasis on suicide, self-harm, or depressive disorders. 
• Demonstrated ability to take responsibility and deliver results with minimum direction and oversight. Must be self-directed and able to work autonomously and as part of a team in a dynamic and deadline-oriented environment.  
• Problem-solving and organizational skills with a proven ability to manage multiple activities and projects at the same time.  
• Ability to adapt quickly; must demonstrate flexibility in the performance of tasks.  
• Must be composed under pressure with an ability to cope effectively with change. 
• Proven ability to develop workshops and train individuals, effective presentation skills.
• Student-focused and service-oriented with a demonstrated ability to build constructive and effective relationships with all levels of staff, students, and the public.  
• Demonstrated skills in a PC environment using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, e-mail, internet search engines, and data management systems.  
• English & French, spoken and written.

McGill University is an English-language university where day-to-day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree 5 Years Related Experience with Bachelor’s Degree / Master's Degree 2 Years Related Experience with Master’s Degree

Annual Salary:

(MPEX Grade 07) $82,150.00 - $102,690.00 - $123,230.00

Hours per Week:

33.75 (Full time)

Supervisor:

Associate Professor

Position End Date (If applicable):

Deadline to Apply:

2023-03-02

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected] .