Student Support Specialist (Term)

U of T Mississauga—the second largest campus of Canada’s top-ranked university and the only research university in Ontario’s booming Peel Region—is one of the world’s great catalysts of human

potential.

Our employee community hums with the energy of 3,400 faculty, librarians and staff, who power our campus with curiosity, connection and care. We work together to spark life-changing research and innovation, make an indelible mark on the world by building equitable cities and societies, enable healthy lives, create a sustainable future and ignite entrepreneurship. Above all, we prioritize student success, and seek to give our 16,500 students the lift of a lifetime through learning anddiscovery. We love to open opportunities available nowhere else for our community to achieve their ambitions and make their unique contributions to Canada and the world.

This work all comes together on a spectacularly green campus, alongside theMissinihe-ziibi (Trusting Creek or Credit River), where we seek to honour truth, reciprocity and reconciliation on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, Seneca and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We’re thrilled to welcome those whowant to learn more about us and to be part of what we do.

Your opportunity:

This is a unique opportunity to join a team of professionals dedicated to student care and wellbeing within the division of Student Affairs and Services at UTM. Reporting to the Team Lead of the Comprehensive Student Support Team and the Assistant Dean, Student Wellness, Support Success, the Student Support Specialist supports the efforts of the campus by assisting in situations andcases involving challenging student behaviours, often when students are struggling with personal, health and academic matters.

You will support the efforts of the Case Managers, by addressing conflicts and cases where the primary issue is related to behaviour. This involves receiving referrals from faculty, staff and administrators, hearing about their concerns, and then consulting with a variety of campus partners (such as Campus Safety, Accessibility Services, Health and Counselling, Residence, EDIO, and the Dean of Student Affairs) to determine initial steps to support a resolution to challenging situations.

You will work to establish and enhance relationships with academic faculties and campus partners, providing guidance and support on matters such as classroom management and strategies to reduce concerning student behaviour and enhance supports for the students involved. In addition, you will work with the Team Lead to develop and facilitate workshops for various campus partnerson student distress and behaviour management.

Your responsibilities will include:

Providing ongoing guidance to students with serious interpersonal problems and difficult or complex issues
Developing and implementing relevant strategies and best practice models for issues related to students with chronic and complex behaviour concerns
Building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance
Responding to and resolving issues between students and the University
Promoting programs and service offerings to internal and/or external contacts
Ensuring that program policies and procedures are applied consistently and equitably
Making informed referrals and supporting an individual in distress until referral contact is made


Essential Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in relevant field (social work, counselling psychology, highereducation, public health), or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Master's degree is preferred.
Six to seven years experience working with students or young adults with chronic and complex behaviour concerns and/or disabilities.
Experience in conflict mediation with students or young adults.
Experience developing and delivering effective presentations, workshops, and training sessions.
Knowledge of restorative justice practices, voluntary educational measures and other facilitated alternatives to complaints.
Demonstrated ability to research, analyze and summarize complex issues and communicate results and/or advise effectively and with clarity to all levels of management.
Exceptional client service skills, with an ability to de-escalate difficult situations.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
Ability to identify and utilize informal resolution pathways.
Demonstrated ability to relate to students, staff and faculty that builds trust and confidence.


Assets (Nonessential):

Mental health and suicide intervention skills training or certification
Strong understanding of the Code of Student Conduct and other relevant student policies
Investigation and report writing skill set
Training and outreach experience with faculty and senior leaders


To besuccessful in this role you will be:

Accountable
Adaptable
Diplomatic
Goal oriented
Organized
Perceptive
Team player
Thoughtful Read more