Algoma University is committed to undoing systemic and institutional discrimination and being publicly transparent and accountable. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our Special Mission. In keeping with the Seven Grandfather teachings that are the core values that inform our decisions as an institution, we are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, respectful, and safe environment where everyone belongs. We live these values through the strength and richness that diversity brings to our workforce and welcome contributors from equity-deserving groups including: Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, Persons with Disabilities, 2 Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer persons.
Job Title
Mental Health & Wellness Coordinator
Staff Bargaining Unit
Position Status
Temporary (12 months), Full-Time (35 hrs/wk)
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
OSSTF
Department
Student Affairs
Supervision Received
Manager, Student Wellbeing
Location:
Brampton, ON
Number Of Positions
1
Primary Functions
Direct Student Support and Crisis Management
55%
Program Coordination and Community Partnerships/Collaboration
35%
Other Duties
10%
TOTAL
100%
Algoma University has an existing vacancy in the position of Mental Health & Wellness Coordinator. Reporting to the Manager, Student Wellbeing, the Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator will work in a collaborative environment with Student Success, Anishinaabe Initiatives, and Wellness Support teams. The position is responsible for assisting with the coordination, development, implementation, and evaluation of a holistic student wellness framework designed to meet the needs of a diverse student body. The Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator will assist in ensuring the culturally safe execution of prevention, training and support services in a cross-culturally informed approach to wellness.
The Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator provides support to students who are seeking access to mental health supports, such as counselling, through community referrals, ad-hoc wellness checks and continued case management where required. The Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator fosters relationships with community agencies and maintains counselling records regarding waitlists, availability and eligibility requirements of programs. The position will support the development of strategic plans, goals, and measurable objectives for wellness programs and services.
The incumbent will collaborate with departmental colleagues to plan, implement and evaluate theory- and evidence-informed approaches to develop, execute, and evaluate impactful support and prevention strategies and programming. Work collaboratively with the Wellness team, community programs, several University working groups and student groups and a variety of internal and external partners. Additionally, the Coordinator will serve as the first point of contact for students experiencing mental health crises, de-escalating where appropriate, while coordinating accommodations and referrals as needed.
Responsibilities
- Direct Student Support and Crisis Management (55%)
- Act as point of contact for academic advisors, faculty, and student leaders working with students in distress.
- Updating and maintaining student records in accordance with PHIPA regulations
- Case management and brief solution-focused support
- Determining if there is a life-threatening situation, risk of self-harm or harm to others and independently applying appropriate interventions
- Provide a timely, effective and skilled response to students who may be at risk to themselves, or may be agitated, distressed or anxious.
- Refer students to 24/7 community health supports for intervention as required, such as our student support program
- Provide support to students and the Student Success and Wellbeing team members when working with racialized, 2SLGBTQQIPAA students who require escalated mental health and wellness referrals and creating an environment of cultural safety.
- Implement student-centered, trauma-informed strategies for the purpose of supporting student wellness, reflective of the students' self-determined goals
- Maintain current knowledge and comprehensive understanding of relevant University policies, procedures, and practices, providing accurate information about wellness to students and the broader University community, including faculty and staff
- Engage in continual professional development and relevant learning to remain current and responsive in practice
- Support and advocate for students in order to foster academic success
- Collaborate and consult with key campus support services (e.g., Learning Centre & Accessibility Services, Student Success and Wellbeing, etc.) related to students’ personal and academic needs and guide those students to the appropriate resources.
- Program Coordination and Community Partnerships/Collaboration (35%)
- Develop relationships with various campus partners and community resources to foster support and engagement
- Lead the Mental Health Working Group and the Student Focus Groups.
- Manage student assistants and ambassadors as required.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external departments including SRSC, SKG, Makwa Waakaa’igan, AARC, SASA, AUSU, Student Life, etc to identify opportunities for community-based and alternative delivery of wellness education and training
- C ollaborate with other Student Success staff, professionals, student leaders, and other partners in broader student experience and student support programming on campus
- Participate constructively in relevant internal and external consultation meetings that support the overall work of the Wellness Team and benefit the University community
- Integrate strategies that reduce barriers for students to access mental health and wellness resources
- Coordinate student-driven institution-wide events or educational programs (e.g., Mental Health Awareness Month, World Suicide Prevention Day), and provide technical support or training to student organizations that participate in the planning of these activities.
- Research best practice models of mental health and well-being with post-secondary-aged populations.
- Conceptualize, develop, implement, deliver, and evaluate content related to resiliency, well-being, mental health, and harm reduction
- Collaborate on the development of resource materials and the delivery of wellness and health promotion outreach for staff, students, and faculty
- Assist in designing and facilitating training to student leaders and other key partners across campus on various topics, including suicide prevention; the partnership for the mental health, health and wellness, well-being and safety of the campus community
- Assist in designing and facilitating learning workshops on various topics (e.g., coping skills, etc.);
- Research, plan and implement student group psycho educational sessions and short-term support groups
- Attend weekly student success and wellbeing meetings and consultations
- Manage records, write memos, proposals, reports, papers and presentation materials
- Manage day-to-day operations of wellness programming
- Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and grant support
- Prepare administrative reports, as needed
- Other Duties (10%)
- Other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions
Physical Effort
Minimal
Some lifting/physical effort required for transportation of materials and setup for school visits.
Physical Environment
Minimal
Minimal exposure to unpleasant/disagreeable conditions.
Sensory Attention
Considerable
Work requires need to concentrate on a variety of sensory inputs for a lengthy duration requiring diligence and attention
Mental Stress
Extreme
Work activities are performed in an environment with almost continuous exposure to mental pressure conditions, and mental stress is a noticeable part of the job, such as constant exposure to clients who may pose danger to themselves or others; the outcomes could have serious consequences.
Minimum Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree in Social Work, Psychology or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, is required.
- Minimum two (2) years of experience working with post-secondary students, including international students, and those who self-identify as First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit.
- Minimum four (4) years of practical experience in the field of mental health support, training, and education.
- Certification(s) in Mental Health response training (e.g., non-violent crisis intervention training, ASIST, MHFA, SafeTalk, or equivalent) is required.
- Solid understanding of the barriers and challenges faced by students in a post-secondary institution and the ability to apply a structural/anti-oppression analysis to service delivery
- 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 health concerns and make timely, appropriate referrals to physicians and out-patient crisis management services
- Clinical competence and comfort working independently to manage crises and provide ongoing support to students
- Awareness of the impacts of historical and ongoing colonialism and intergenerational trauma for Indigenous, Metis and Inuit communities, and demonstrated commitment to decolonization
- Ability to foster and maintain partnerships with providers, internally and externally, for purposes of liaising, referrals, health promotion, support planning and system navigation
- Proven judgment and discretion in dealing with confidential and sensitive matters and the ability to respond tactfully, calmly and with sound judgment to crisis situations and seek consultation as appropriate
- 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 a variety of needs of various partners
- Outreach, advocacy, and health promotion experience considered an asset
- Vulnerable Sector Police Check is required.
Salary Scale
$82,387 to $102,983 annually
To apply for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter to talent.acquisition@algomau.ca no later than 4:00 p.m. on November 12, 2026.
Algoma University is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity within our community and is an equal-opportunity employer. The university invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals who would contribute to the further diversification of our Institution, including equity-deserving groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment (Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQQIPA+ persons).
In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, upon request, accommodation will be provided by Algoma University throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. Algoma University welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
