Student Counselling Services at the University of Winnipeg provides goal-oriented, time-limited support for students facing difficulties that affect their well-being. Services include individual and small group counselling, as well as crisis response when needed. Counsellors work collaboratively with other community agencies to provide shared-care support.

The Student Care Navigation Specialist will provide timely, student-centered support and counseling to students experiencing personal, academic, or mental health challenges, will play a key role in case management coordinating care across Student Counselling Services, other university departments, and external resources. They will also contribute to campus education and capacity building, contribute to policy and program development, and collaborate on enhancing service delivery.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and assess the scope and magnitude of the presenting issue, develop an appropriate action plan, and follow-up accordingly.
• Utilize knowledge of crisis, trauma, suicide, addictions, mental health, sexual violence, grief and loss and other issues to provide immediate support to students.
• Provide brief, goal-oriented counselling sessions for students, both in-person and virtually.
• Support students with a wide range of issues, including academic stress, mental health, grief, trauma, relationships, self-esteem, and crisis situations.
• Provide psychoeducation to support students understanding of mental health.
• Arrange for students to access short-term counselling on campus or refer to alternate counselling resources.
• Assess urgency of student need, giving priority to students in crisis or distress and coordinating emergency mental health supports.
• Network with external health and community resources to support students experiencing complex mental health or social issues.
• Maintain a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, anti-oppressive, and student-centered approach.
• Provide guidance to Peer Wellness and Support Specialist in handling complex inquiries.
• Document counselling sessions accurately in accordance with professional and ethical standards.
• Provide outreach assistance to students facing difficulties affecting their personal and/or academic goals.
• Assist students in exploring options both on and off campus and make referrals to appropriate external resources.
• Assist students in developing action plans that reinforce accountability and promote self-efficacy.
• Monitor patterns of recurring crises or high-risk situations and coordinate with relevant staff for comprehensive support.
• Coordinate care across multiple services within Student Counselling Services and across Student Services departments.
• Member of Campus Assessment and Support Team (CAST) and participate actively in functions of the team.
• Provide guidance and support to students from diverse cultural, ethnic, religious, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds in understanding university policy and procedure.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case management records.
• Develop and deliver workshops, presentations, and awareness campaigns to students, faculty, and staff on mental health and wellness.
• Assist in creating educational resources, handouts, and digital content for student wellness initiatives.
• Participate and provide support to university-wide initiatives.
• Evaluate and provide feedback on health promotion initiatives to inform future programming.
• Represent the Wellness Centre at events and meetings.
• Collect and submit monthly statistics and reports.
• Participate in Counselling Services team meetings, Student Services meetings, and training opportunities.
• Contribute to the development and revision of policies, procedures, and forms to enhance student support and program delivery.
• Contribute to periodic review and evaluation of existing intake practices and identify areas for improvement to enhance the quality and efficiency of the intake process.
• In collaboration with the Clinical Coordinator and clinical services team, identify emerging trends and issues concerning student mental health to inform strategic decisions.
• Coordinate with the clinical services team in seeking professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge and skill in intake assessment, mental health support, and crisis management.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, or a related social sciences field required.
• Formal training in crisis intervention, mental health triage and risk assessment required.
• Suicide intervention training (e.g., ASIST or equivalent) and training in trauma-informed practice required.
• Mental health and addictions training (e.g., Mental Health First Aid, addictions-focused workshops) considered an asset.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development in areas such as suicide prevention, trauma, crisis management, and student mental health.
• Minimum of three years’ experience providing direct support to diverse populations using a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and anti-oppressive approach.
• Experience conducting intake assessments, triage, and determining level of risk and urgency.
• Demonstrated experience in crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and stabilization.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience providing brief, goal-oriented counselling and short-term case management.
• Experience supporting individuals presenting with a wide range of concerns including mental health challenges, trauma, sexual violence, addictions, grief, academic stress, and complex psychosocial issues.
• Experience coordinating care and navigating community health and social service systems, including making appropriate referrals.
• Experience working with and supporting young adults, preferably within a post-secondary environment.
• Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary teams and participating in case consultation processes.
• Demonstrated experience developing and facilitating workshops, presentations, or psychoeducational sessions related to mental health and wellness.
• Strong clinical judgment and ability to assess, triage, and respond effectively to urgent and high-risk situations.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively within a team-based model of care.
• Commitment to supporting diverse student populations, including international, immigrant, Indigenous and inner-city communities, persons with disabilities, persons within 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and students living on campus.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to provide clear documentation in accordance with ethical and professional standards.
• Competence with electronic record systems, case management databases, virtual service platforms, and standard office software.
• Knowledge of university systems, student services structures, and relevant community mental health and crisis resources.

Applications must be submitted online via The University of Winnipeg’s online recruitment system. Please click on the “Apply” link below to submit your application.For additional details on how to submit your application, please visit our Human Resources website and under the Employment category, choose the Faculty Employment position vacancies option.

Inquiries about the position may be directed to Travis Greene, Associate Vice-President, Student Engagement: t.greene@uwinnipeg.ca.

The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research environments, and is essential to academic and institutional excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons to confidentially self-identify at time of application.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Winnipeg is committed to ensuring employment opportunities are accessible for all applicants. If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact human_resources@uwinnipeg.ca.

The personal information of applicants is collected under the authority of the University of Winnipeg Act and 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected via the recruitment process is used to assess the applicant’s suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for employment, and to otherwise support recruitment activities. This information will be provided to participating members of the recruitment process. Questions regarding the collection of your personal information may be directed to the Director, HR Services, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9 or human_resources@uwinnipeg.ca.