Job Description:

About the Division

The focus of the Students’ division is to serve and support the academic and non-academic growth and development of students. Our strength is in our approaches to peer-to-peer learning and student leadership by empowering students to work collaboratively with service areas and other students to grow holistically as individuals. The Students’ portfolio at Mount Royal broadly encompasses Student Experience & Success, Enrolment Management, International Education and Planning & Operations delivering support and services that are inextricably linked with the teaching and learning outcomes academic departments are tasked with achieving.

We support the University’s mission by assisting students, staff and faculty through a variety of departments, including: Admissions, Recruitment and Transfer Credit, the Office of the Registrar (Awards, Academic Scheduling & Curriculum, Records, Registration and Financial Aid), Student Success and Learning (Academic Advising, Student Experience, Student Learning Services), Student Support (Student Community Standards, Early Support, Dating, Domestic and Sexualized Violence Services), Access and Inclusion Services, Career Services, Wellness Services, Cougars Athletics and Recreation, the Iniskim Centre, International Education, Residence Services, Student Systems and Student Communications.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director, Student Support, the Student Support Specialist is responsible for providing comprehensive and non-clinical case management support to students experiencing challenges and barriers to their overall success at Mount Royal University. This position facilitates the Early Support program and plays a critical role in connecting students with appropriate campus resources and fostering a supportive environment that promotes student well-being, retention, and success. The Student Support Specialist works collaboratively with a wide variety of campus stakeholders to ensure a coordinated response to student needs.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and provide non-clinical, collaborative case management and direct student support to students experiencing challenges, barriers, and struggles as part of the broader Student Support team.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Early Support program. This includes facilitating intake, triage, assessment, and coordinated care while developing personalized support plans for students in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Maintain ongoing communication with students to monitor progress and provide follow-up support as needed.
• Utilize a holistic and trauma-informed approach to ensure students feel heard, respected, and supported.
• Remain current and informed regarding university policies, processes, and procedures, as well as critical dates and deadlines in the academic calendar.
• Develop and recommend research-based retention and success initiatives.
• Work closely with campus partners both within and beyond the Student Support team, including, but not limited to: Academic Advisors, Wellness Services, Access & Inclusion Services, Residence Services, Student Learning Services, Office of the Registrar, and Students’ Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU), to provide a holistic support system for students.
• Serve as a liaison between students and various campus departments to facilitate access to resources and accommodations.
• Participate in cross-functional teams, such as the Student Support and Response Team (SSRT), focused on student success and well-being initiatives.
• Provide consultation and training to faculty and staff on student support best practices and available resources.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of student support and Early Support initiatives, including awareness campaigns, workshops, and student engagement activities.
• Assist in the implementation and evaluation of programs designed to support students facing systemic barriers to success.
• Support equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts by ensuring that programs and services are accessible and culturally responsive.
• Build and strengthen networks at MRU to provide comprehensive support to students who are in difficulty or crisis.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of student interactions and non-clinical case management activities in Advocate in accordance with institutional policies and privacy regulations.
• Prepare reports and summaries on student support trends, program effectiveness, and emerging issues.
• Contribute to the development of resource materials, website content, and communication strategies to inform students about available support services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or equivalent combined with 3-5 years of relevant experience

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment (evening and weekend work required)

• High degree of trauma-informed practices and intercultural competence - build rapport and trust with students and other campus community members.

• Problem solving - able to identify issues and develop creative solutions.

• Excellent communication skills - a strong ability to clearly and concisely convey complex information to individuals, groups, and in written documentation.

• Advocacy - an ability to identify barriers and support students in overcoming them.

• Self-directed and able to collaborate effectively as a team member.

• Suicide and crisis intervention training - includes ASIST, SafeTalk, QPR, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, etc.

Salary: $60,571 - $76,640 per annum

Closing Date: July 20, 2025

A cover letter and resume should be submitted in one .pdf document. Please title your .pdf document as follows: [Last Name], [Requisition Number].pdf (ex. Smith, 999999.pdf).