About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

Western’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives leads system-wide change required to advance truth and reconciliation efforts, achieve equitable outcomes for Indigenous peoples, and implement Western’s Indigenous Strategic Plan. The Office is committed to building and strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities locally, provincially, nationally and internationally, and fostering an academic environment, where all students, staff, faculty and community members experience the university as a welcoming, supportive, culturally safe environment in which Indigenous languages, ways of knowing, being and doing are respected and supported.

The Office’s priority areas are:

• strategic planning and implementation
• communications and reporting
• community engagement
• policy development and practice
• space planning and management
• curriculum and training development
• student affairs, access and recruitment strategies
• faculty and staff recruitment and retention strategies
• research and scholarship strategies.

Within the Office of Indigenous Initiatives is the Indigenous Student Centre, committed to supporting Indigenous students in reaching their highest potential through a safe space, wholistic, culturally relevant and strength-based programs, and services that foster Indigenous presence and inclusion, increasing access and retention.

The priority areas for the Indigenous Student Centre are:

• Indigenous cultural enrichment
• Indigenous student academic, financial and career support
• Indigenous youth and community outreach
• Indigenous orientation, transition, and retention
• Indigenization of recruitment programming and student experience
• Culturally relevant support for well-being and mental health

Responsibilities

The Indigenous Health and Wellness Promoter and Navigator role will provide inclusive, accessible, and sustainable support to and for the benefit of Indigenous Students at Western University, and all community partners who collaborate to support them. This role also aims to foster a supportive environment that respects and integrates Indigenous cultural practices and beliefs within the Student Wellness and Well-being services and programs. Note that applicants will be subject to the Policy for Affirming Declarations of Indigenous Citizenship or Membership at Western University. Contact Western’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives for additional information.

Key Accountabilities

• Possess passion and commitment for nurturing an inclusive workplace that respects and values the diversity of Indigenous students with mindfulness about the intergenerational impact of colonial policies and histories on them and their families and communities
• Encourage and support Indigenous students in accessing, when needed, Western’s wellness and wellbeing program
• Liaison work: act as a cultural bridge (interpreter, educator, connector) to support and grow the relationships of Indigenous students and Western’s health professionals, in accessing mental health and wellness services, when needed
• Working with the Wellness team to support work to identify and reduce any barriers to access of care (e.g., stigma, finance, environmental)
• Support and promote access, navigation, and uptake of health supports that benefit Indigenous students
• Identify and arrange for culturally-relevant trauma-informed educational opportunities to advance the work of Truth and Reconciliation at Western for everyone’s benefit
• Journey alongside Indigenous students and support in accessing all available services at Western (including those provided beyond Western) to support mental wellbeing as required and advocate for Indigenous youth
• Assist relevant staff at Western learning more about Indigenous peoples and issues
• Work collaboratively with Western’s wellness and wellbeing team to educate and support culturally safe practices.
• Support Indigenous students to navigate Western’s medical and wellness, and wellbeing supports.
• Assist to integrate inclusive Indigenous cultural health promotion practices and social policies where relevant at Western.
• Communicate clearly, listen accurately, be open to feedback, handle conflict appropriately, and display sensitivity to others
• Collaborate well with others, promote cooperation, and teamwork

Outcomes the Role is to Achieve

• Encourage Indigenous students to access all health and wellness supports that are available to them at Western, therein equipping students with transferable skills that will help them to be successful in engaging mainstream supports, as needed, when they graduate, without having to compromise their Indigeneity

• Identify the need for and provide cultural training and increase the cultural capacity of relevant mental health and wellness service providers at Western (and with other agencies, as required)

Problem Solving and Authority for Decisions

a. Examples of issues that the incumbent is expected to resolve independently and Who is affected:

• Decisions affecting students, self and professional colleagues regarding:
  • well-being of the client/ student
  • navigation support to client / student
• Investigating and responding to a variety of complex student issues and inquiries and resolving problems independently
• Ethical decision making that balances confidentiality and client welfare
• Planning, designing, and developing materials and resources to support the academic success of Indigenous students
• Facilitating conflict resolution and team building among staff

b. Examples of issues where the incumbent requires approval and/or consultation with supervisor or others to resovle and Who is affected:

• Introducing significant changes in established priorities and processes

• Consultation affecting students, self and professional colleagues regarding:

  • work volume
  • complex cases
  • opportunities for collaboration
  • legal matters

• Staff issues including discipline, performance issues, recruitment, attendance management, and return to work considerations

c. Pre-established Guidelines for Decisions

• Personal Health Information Protection Act
• University policies, Academic Policies and the Code of Student Conduct
• Professional College Standards i.e. College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, College of Nurses of Ontario
• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 1990
• Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991
• Manual of Administrative Policies and Procedures
• Academic Calendar
• Senate Policies
• Student Code of Conduct
• Western's Strategic Plan
• Mental Health Act
• Social Work and Social Service Work Act
• Employment Standards Act
• Occupational Health and Safety Act
• The Human Rights Code
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
• Western’s Gender Base and Sexual Violence, Non-Discrimination and Harassment, and Conflict of Interest Polices

Support and Resources:

a. Leadership: Who provides the incumbent with work expectations, coaching, development support, formal performance feedback and evaluation?

The Indigenous Health Promoter and Navigator will report to the Vice-Provost & Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Initiatives (VP/AVP-II) to establish priorities and work assignments. The Manager, Wellness and Equity Education, through Wellness and Well-being, will provide supervision for the teaching aspects of this role. The VP/AVP– II will provide performance feedback and coaching regularly, and more formal reviews annually through the PDG process to collaboratively design and oversee their professional development plan.

b. Colleagues & Key Resource People: With whom does the incumbent regularly collaborate to receive or share information and engage in problem-solving relevant to their role?

Collaborates throughout each day with Physicians, Psychiatrists, Nurses, Mental Health Counsellors, Psychologists, Wellness and Well-being staff, Professors, Academic Counsellors, Deans and the Residence Counsellor conferring on student’s needs and advising and supporting staff on how to best help Indigenous students as they navigate and access the healthcare system and resources. The incumbent will have a partner in the Wellness Equation and Equity Team in building education tools. The incumbent will also have access to Western’s Elder in Residence for guidance.

c. Other: List any specialized training, equipment, resources, or other supports required for success in this role (e.g. Peoplesoft training, lab safety, mobile devices, private space, protective equipment, etc.).

• Electronic health record training
• WHMIS training
• AODA training
• Safe Campus Community training
• Mental Health eLearning Module
• Gender-Based Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Training
• Familiar with harm reduction and trauma-informed care

Qualifications

Professional Qualifications & Education

Minimum Requied:

• Degree or diploma in social work or related social sciences, with 1 to 2 years’ experience in a health or community setting
• Experience with mental health promotion or relevant education
• Knowledge of and experience working with Indigenous services and agencies
• Experience with Indigenous people and a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing Indigenous people and communities
• Knowledge of or familiarity with local and regional Indigenous cultural practices and beliefs and with traditional Indigenous healing practices
• Knowledge and understanding of reconciliation initiatives at the local community and provincial levels
• Experience working with a broad range of community members, including youth.
• We are open to a combination of skills, training and life experience to meet the needs of this role

Experience:
Minimum Required:

• Lived-experience in working with Indigenous communities and peoples in a health or mental health setting
• Experience working within educational institutions
• An innovator who can successfully engage, work with, and where necessary, make arrangements to provide educational/ re-educational opportunities for a variety of health and mental well-being professionals.
• Support Indigenous students to ensure a culturally safe environment during mental health and wellness consultations
• Experience working in health care and/or social services
• Lived experience with issues that impact Indigenous peoples Familiarity with traditional Indigenous healing practices
• Strong understanding of the legacy of colonialism in Canada

Preference:

Preference will be given to Indigenous applicants – as per the process identified in the Policy for Affirming Declarations of Indigenous Citizenship or Membership at Western University. Please contact Western’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives for additional information.

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• Ability to work effectively in an inter-disciplinary team environment
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with individuals, families, team members, other groups and community agency personnel.
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict situations.
• Demonstrate competency with computers and information technology (e.g., Microsoft office applications, Internet etc.).

Why Western?

Western offers a broad and exciting variety of part-time and temporary employment opportunities with ample room for job exploration and growth. Within our beautiful campus, you are part of a progressive work environment that promotes work/life balance including access to our state-of-the-art recreation centre. Apply for an opportunity to be part of the Western community and contribute to its success!

Background Checks

While transcripts are not required for the interview, they may be necessary prior to any offer of employment.

Please note, successful applicants may be required to produce current record check(s) (e.g. vulnerable sector, criminal record and police information) from a police service prior to commencing employment.

Applying at Western

To ensure that your application is given full consideration, please complete all relevant sections of the application. In addition, you can choose to supplement your application with a cover letter and current resume.

Consideration of applicants will include an assessment of previous performance, experience, and qualifications. Applicants should have oral communication skills in English.

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.