Coordinator, Residence Care

Competition 1216

This competition will be used to fill two positions.

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits.

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton. This role is in-person.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Department

Residence Life at the University of Alberta is a leading program in Canada, dedicated to the principles of dignity, respect, safety, equity, learning, and community. Reporting to the Supervisor, Residence Life - Community Support, the Coordinator, Residence Care assists in achieving the goals of the University of Alberta. This is accomplished through the provision of caring, student-focused, residential environments, which assist students in being academically successful, teach students how to live respectfully with diverse groups of people, provide many leadership opportunities, and build a sense of community responsibility.

Residence Life recognizes there are many dimensions to student wellness such as: emotional/mental health, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual. This position will aim to provide support to residents for all of these dimensions.

Position 

The Coordinator, Residence Care is key in fostering residence learning environments that are specific to the diverse needs of the community. This role oversees the provision of one-on-one support to students needing enhanced care in order to connect them to professional services on campus and in the greater community; the provision of direct coaching to student staff as they work to support students who need enhanced care, the ongoing training and support of student staff on mental health, wellness and health support practices, and resolving student issues so that both personal and residence concerns are addressed, thus supporting the academic pursuit of residents.

The incumbent will support residents on a one-on-one basis, including connecting to campus and community resources and providing ongoing follow-up and support to students to ensure continuity of care/effectiveness of the support plan. A primary component of the incumbent's work will be supporting students experiencing thoughts of suicide or otherwise at risk of harm to themselves. They will also support those impacted by sexual violence by managing the triage of cases to the Dean of Students office for implementation of options under the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Policy and/or Student Conduct Policy.

There are two Residence Care Specialists to support the entire residence study body (approximately 4500 students).

Duties 

With oversight from the Supervisor, Residence Life - Community Support, oversees the management of the day-to-day support for students of concern. This includes:

• Meeting with students on a one-on-one basis to provide case management support and get them connected with campus and community resources. This role does not provide ongoing, long-term one-on-one support or counselling to students
• Ensuring everything is documented appropriately in Advocate and shared with the Helping Individuals At Risk (HIAR) team and the Office of the Dean of Students (DoS) as needed
• When determined as appropriate by the Manager, Residence Life and Education (MRLE), attend Dean of Students Student of Concern and or/Protocol 91 meetings
• Work closely with the MRLE and the Supervisor, Residence Life - Community Support to implement follow-up from HIAR Case Team meetings and Student of Concern meetings
• Work closely with Student Care Coordinators in the DoS to transition over appropriate files
• Provides direct, ongoing coaching to student staff as they work to support students who need enhanced care (i.e. providing resource options, tips for conversations, etc…)
• Remains knowledgeable of University policies, procedures, and resources in order to assist students and guide them to appropriate resources (e.g. Office of the Dean of Students, filing reports with the University of Alberta Protective Services, the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Policy, the Employee and Family Assistance Program, etc...)
• Creates and maintains best practices in residence for student support such as safety plan templates, students of concern documentation processes, resource guides, etc...

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• 2-3 years of experience working in a complex and confidential environment; consideration may also be given to other combinations of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with diverse populations including but not limited to LGBTQ2S+, Indigenous students, students with disabilities and International students.
• Experience working in student case management.
• Ability to synthesize and conceptualize complex situations and use appropriate professional judgment.
• Experience in threat assessment and risk management, as well as mental health, behavioural issues and substance use issues.
• Demonstrated decision-making ability in the face of adversity; ability to analyze possible courses of action and determine strengths and possible consequences of each course of action before making a decision.
• High level of critical thinking, analytical, statistical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to deal with diverse issues, multi-task and prioritize.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with individuals with various backgrounds and experiences, including senior administrators, faculty, staff, students and the community. Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate sensitive material.
• Excellent emotional regulation skills.
• Proficiency with computers, including the Google suite, and web-based databases (eg. Symplicity Advocate). 
• Extensive knowledge of suicide intervention, violence prevention, and current trends in early intervention and privacy legislation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the various areas within the University community, its policies and procedures (Governance, Student Conduct Policy, UAPPOL, FOIPP, etc.)
• Strong understanding of student services, staff services (for student staff), and Helping Individuals At Risk Policy and Procedures.
• Knowledge of a wide variety of resources on campus and in the community.

All applications require both a resume and a cover letter in one PDF document.