Peer Support Program Coordinator (After Hours)

Founded in 1910 and located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Mount Royal University grew into a vibrant college in the 1930s and became a mid-sized university in 2009. Mount Royal has carved out a distinct niche by offering smaller class sizes, a robust liberal education and unique undergraduate programs. Currently, more than 15,000 credit students choose from 14 bachelor degrees and 36 majors.

Mount Royal University is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina and the Iyarhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. The traditional Blackfoot name of this place is "Mohkinstsis," which we now call the city of Calgary. The city of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.

Mount Royal University is committed to removing barriers and fostering the inclusion of voices that have been historically underrepresented or discouraged in our society. In support of our belief that diversity in our faculty and staff enriches the work, learning and research experiences for the entire campus community, we strongly encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply and self-identify.

Wellness Services provides comprehensive services and programs to support campus members’ physical, mental, and sexual wellbeing. We offer one-on-one services with a variety of healthcare practitioners including physicians, nurses, mental health nurses, a psychiatrist, psychologists, social workers, chiropractors, massage therapists, athletic therapists, physiotherapists, and acupuncturist. We support academic success for students through counselling, groups, workshops, peer programs, online tools, and outreach initiatives that are continually evolved to meet current campus needs. We further support academic success through the facilitation of academic requirements for nursing and athletic therapy students. Wellness Services is foundational in supporting the wellbeing of our campus community through Okanagan Charter inspired systems-based approaches. 

Wellness Services is comprised of four operational units: Healthy Campus, Health Services, MRU Injury & Prevention Clinic, and Student Counselling Services.

Reporting to the Healthy Campus Team Manager – Wellness Services, the Peer Support Program Coordinator (After-Hours) operates as a subject-matter expert around mental health crises on campus. This role provides support to after-hours Peer Support Café Volunteers and practicum students in responding to mental health crises on campus after-hours. It works with stakeholders across the institution to ensure that the University responds to after-hours mental health crises in a respectful and compassionate manner. 

This role requires a blend of assessment and crisis intervention skills, administrative duties, practicum student supervision and a dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. This role will contribute to prevention, education and awareness initiatives across campus. This role will be responsible to review legislation and ensure compliance to reduce risk to community members and the reputation of the University. Examples of this include the maintenance of records, the development of consent forms and developing service processes and protocols such as booking appointments and processing referrals to other services and to mental health professionals on and off campus, while ensuring compliance with privacy legislation.

This is a full time limited term position commencing February 26, 2024 and ending January 31, 2027, with the possibility of extension.

• Develop and maintain a properly coordinated delivery of after-hours mental health crisis support services on campus

• Provide social work services for the MRU community who are experiencing mental health crisis or distress after-hours

• Develop, coordinate and implement a strategic after-hours peer support café program

• Provide training and supervision to students in a peer support role

• Supervise practicum students including evaluation of their performance for their program

• Assessment and intervention - triage and referral

• Building and maintaining community relationships

• Policy analysis and policy development

• Designing and implementing evidence-informed health promotion initiatives (e.g., advocacy, policy, peer-led programming, creating supportive environments, capacity building, and education-based initiatives) in collaboration with key stakeholders

• Delivering health training workshops and presentations

• Working closely with students and student groups

• Effectively promoting existing health resources

• Reporting on the impact of programing initiatives for a variety of stakeholders

• Assisting in grant proposal and report writing as appropriate

• Bachelor degree in Social Work (MSW preferred) or a related field in combination with 3-5 years related experience

• Expertise in gender-based violence and working in violence prevention

• Experience in managing a case load

• Experience supporting someone in crisis, including domestic violence, thoughts or plans of suicide

• Experience in conducting risk assessments, safety plans, a thorough understanding of confidentiality and the limitations to confidentiality

• Experience in applying principles of equity, diversity and inclusion throughout all aspects of policy, education and support services

• Experience in working across disciplines and with multiple stakeholders

• Experience with applying research to practice

• Experience working with students or in a university environment

• Experience volunteering with Distress Centre or another crisis service is an asset

• Strong crisis intervention skills and the ability to remain calm in high-pressure situations

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Talented and committed employees are the driving force behind student success. We strive to be an employer of choice among Canadian post-secondary institutions. 

At Mount Royal University, we recognize that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person, and harnesses the strength that is available in our diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Investing in the learning and development of our employees benefits the individual and the University. A variety of services, resources and programs encourage a healthy, productive workplace. Mount Royal University offers a competitive total compensation package including health and dental benefits, pension, health and personal spending accounts, paid vacation, winter holiday closure, personal days and a free membership in our fully equipped recreation centre. 

Our campus offers the convenience of a medical clinic, dentist and pharmacy, as well as a variety of wellness services such as physiotherapists and massage therapists. Campus Recreation offers many activities, including personal training, climbing, aquatics, sports and certifications for students, employees and the public.

Salary:                             $65,500 - $82,916 per annum (Subject to retroactive increase based on Gain Sharing Conditions as per the Government of Alberta)

Closing Date:                  Open until suitable candidate is found

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number], [Document Title].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999, CV.pdf).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others currently eligible to work in Canada will be given priority.

Recent Mount Royal graduates who are foreign nationals may be eligible to work on campus.  Please refer to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website under Post-Graduation Employment at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp .

If you require an accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please notify [email protected] and we will work together on the accommodation request.