Program Lead, Peer Support Centre

About the Opportunity

Are you passionate about mental health? Do you want to help make campus a more supportive and caring community? Do you enjoy collaborating with others to provide students with the best service possible? The Program Lead of the Peer Support Centre is responsible for the operations of the Peer Support Centre (PSC), and is required to have a general academic and non-academic knowledge of the University of Alberta. This position is responsible for overseeing the Centre's supportive listening operations, outreach initiatives, volunteer program, as well as supervising the Centre's two student staff . This position is responsible for contributing to the network of student mental health support on campus, including facilitating referrals where appropriate and coordinating supports for students who are deemed to be at high risk. This position has a strong focus on volunteer management, supportive listening and crisis response, mental health promotion, and service administration. 

This is a full-time, permanent role with an anticipated start date of late June or early July. This role will primarily require the successful applicant to work on-site, with some opportunity for hybrid work. Applications will close on May 25th, 2025.

About the University of Alberta Students’ Union

The University of Alberta Students’ Union (U.A.S.U.) is the official student-run organization for undergraduates at the University of Alberta. We aim to improve your experience as a student, through the services, events and spaces that we provide.  We also provide advocacy on your behalf within the university community, and to all levels of government.

Core Duties 

1. Manage the day-to-day operation of the Peer Support Centre. This includes volunteer management, as well as acting as an on-call resource leader to support volunteers debrief crisis sessions.


2. Human resources management of all staff and volunteers of the Peer Support Centre, including: interviewing, selection, onboarding, training, evaluation, supervision, transition. This will include providing supportive listening and crisis intervention as needed to clients, staff and volunteers. 


3. Support the creation and day-to-day management of the Centre’s program budgets.


4. Oversee promotional strategies for all Centre Programs. 


5. Support the creation and execution of assessment and reporting strategies for all Centre initiatives. 


6. Build relationships, and effectively deal with Students’ Union and University staff, students, and the general public


7. Remain adaptable and flexible changing circumstances, needs and priorities. 


8. Remain up to date on current trends and research in peer support, mental health and wellness services, and volunteer management. 


9. Proactively identify areas of unmet need in Centre offerings.


10. Proper care of Students’ Union equipment and facilities as used by the PSC.


11. Submission of regular reports as required.


12. Other duties as assigned by the Senior Manager of Student Services. 

Minimum Qualifications

1. This position requires a university degree in a related discipline, such as psychology, human services, human ecology, social sciences, or social work.


2. Eligible to work in Canada. 


3. The ability to work on-site at our offices at the University of Alberta’s North Campus, in Edmonton, Alberta. 
   


4. Availability to work varying hours, including evenings and weekends during the school year. 

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience managing staff, with a preference for experience managing young professionals. 


2. Experience with event planning, volunteer management, and classroom-style facilitation. 


3. Experience with program and learning assessment methodologies. 


4. Previous work or volunteer experience with a Students' Union or University department. 


5. Previous work or volunteer experience with a mental health or crisis support organization. 


6. Knowledge of adult learning principles and experience with instructional design. 


7. Experience with outreach strategy development and execution.


8. Completion of training related to mental health, supportive listening and/or suicide intervention. 


9. Working knowledge of social justice or anti-oppression theories and frameworks, especially in relation to mental health. 


10. Proficiency with Mac OS (Apple) products, as well as Microsoft Office and Google Suites Applications. 


11. Experience with learning management systems and rapid authoring tools, such as eClass/Moodle and Articulate 360.


12. A valid class 5 (GDL) license or higher. 

Compensation: 

This is a full-time, permanent position. In addition to the stated salary, the successful applicant will have access to annual paid vacation, a comprehensive health and dental plan, an employee and family assistance plan, a health spending account, and an RRSP contribution matching program. 

Application instructions

Only complete applications received through Bamboo HR will be considered. To be considered complete, applications must have an up-to-date resume and cover letter.

Your application documents should clearly show how you meet all of the minimum qualifications, and how you meet some combination of the preferred qualifications for the position. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. 

For questions about this posting, please contact Steven Lin, Senior Manager of Student Services. 

Equity and Inclusion

The UASU’s mission is to serve, engage, and represent students. To do that well we need an organization that is representative of the students we serve. We are committed to creating a diverse environment that fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment. We actively encourage applications from members of groups experiencing barriers to equity.