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.

Working collaboratively with the Student Wellness Centre (SWC) team and reporting to the Manager, Student Wellness Centre, the Student Wellness Community Worker is responsible for providing case management, system navigation and counselling services to students at OCAD University. The Student Wellness Community Worker provides this through one-on-one interactions, group activities and workshops, and facilitates the provision of non-disability accommodations. As a community worker, the successful candidate will be committed to the principles of equity and diversity, supporting students by providing culturally sensitive, accessible, responsive, high-quality service and support.

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 5 years) and/or lived experience will be taken into consideration
• Masters 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 of social location when navigating health supports, in particular mental health services
• Demonstrated respect for individual, cultural, community and organizational diversity, including the ability to identify and understand intersecting issues related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, race/ethnicity, immigration status, religion, Indigenous heritage, and gender identity
• Demonstrated ability to recognize mental health challenges and onset of mental concerns and make timely, appropriate referrals to physicians and out-patient crisis management services
• Proven experience with coordination of care, including ongoing assessment, evaluation, and monitoring of case management plan to ensure it remains reflective of students self-determined goals
• Ability to foster and maintain partnerships with providers, internally and externally, for purposes of liaising, referrals, health promotion, support planning and system navigation
• Familiarity with community resources and experience navigating various systems, including housing, mental health and substance use, justice, and healthcare
• Clinical competence and skills working independently to assess and respond to crises; appropriately seeking consultation to provide ongoing case management and counselling to artists and designers in an academic setting
• Outreach, advocacy, harm reduction, and health promotion experience considered an asset.
• Ability to foster and maintain partnerships with providers, internally and externally, for purposes of liaising, referrals, health promotion, support planning and system navigation
• Highly developed assessment, listening, observational, counselling and motivational interviewing skills
• Proven judgement, discretion, and boundaries in dealing with confidential and sensitive matters
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff, and faculty
• Team player, with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and independently, and display a high degree of initiative
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving skills; ability to respond to variety of needs of various stakeholders
• Strong computer skills with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office application

Mode of Work: On Campus

Compensation: Hiring Range - $36.77 to $42.16 per hour commensurate with experience, plus 4% vacation pay and 7% in lieu of *benefits; Salary Range - $36.77 to $48.33 per hour.

• The successful incumbent has the option of pay in lieu or enrollment in benefits.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, for a total of 35 hours per week. This is a temporary contract expected to begin October 20, 2025, and continue until April 23, 2027.

Application Instructions: We encourage candidates to speak to their social location and connection to community in their cover letter and to share how this informs their approach to supporting marginalized communities. Additionally, we invite candidates to highlight their experience in fostering internal and external partnerships, including the development of referral pathways and collaborative initiatives within their application.

Application Deadline: Interested applicants are invited to submit an updated * resume and cover letter (PDF) . The review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position has been filled.

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  Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code

As an institution committed to art, design, digital media and related scholarship, OCAD University recognizes the profound and essential value that diversity brings to the creation, reception and circulation of creative practices and discourse. OCAD University understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission and vision as an art and design university with a local and global scope.

In order to alleviate the under-representation of racialized and Indigenous administrators, priority in hiring will be given to qualified racialized and Indigenous persons who self-identify as such in the application process. This initiative is a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.