Social Worker

University of Alberta • Edmonton, AB

11d • CA$70,610 - CA$98,404 • Onsite

About The Position

This role is for an FNMI Social Worker dedicated to supporting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FPH) students at the University of Alberta. The position focuses on culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and relationship-based social work practice to enhance students' mental health, wellness, academic success, community connection, and holistic well-being. The role emphasizes First Peoples’ House ways of knowing, cultural safety, and self-determination. The Social Worker will collaborate with the UA Social Work Team, campus and community partners to provide individualized short-term support to students facing various challenges including mental health concerns, academic stress, housing insecurity, financial barriers, family and community issues, identity-related concerns, systemic inequities, and transitions into university life. The approach is strengths-based, culturally responsive, and student-centered, acknowledging the impacts of colonization, intergenerational trauma, racism, and barriers to care. Services include assessment, crisis intervention, care coordination, systems navigation, advocacy, referrals, and collaborative wellness planning, guided by wellness perspectives that honor emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental well-being. The role also aims to strengthen students' connections to culture, community, ceremony, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and support networks. As part of an interdisciplinary care team, the Social Worker will collaborate with physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, academic supports, Residence Services, the Social Work Team, and community agencies to ensure coordinated and culturally safe care. The position also contributes to campus education, advocacy, and awareness regarding FNMI student wellness, reconciliation, and equitable access to mental health supports.

Requirements

• Culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and relationship-based social work practice.
• Centering First Peoples’ House ways of knowing, cultural safety, and self-determination.
• Strengths-based, culturally responsive, and student-centered support.
• Services guided by First Peoples’ House ways of being and knowing.
• Perspectives on wellness that honour balance among emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental well-being.
• Collaboration with the UA Social Work Team, FPH campus and community partners.
• Collaboration with physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, academic supports, Residence Services, the Social Work Team, and community agencies.
• Fostering a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological.
• Promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect.
• Ensuring all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

Nice To Haves

• Internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta will be given priority consideration.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized short-term support to FNMI students navigating mental health concerns, academic stress, housing insecurity, financial barriers, family and community challenges, identity-related concerns, systemic inequities, and transitions into or through university life.
• Support students through assessment, crisis intervention, care coordination, systems navigation, advocacy, referrals, and collaborative wellness planning.
• Help students strengthen their connection to culture, community, ceremony, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and other support networks both on and off campus.
• Collaborate with physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, academic supports, Residence Services, the Social Work Team, and community agencies to ensure timely, coordinated, and culturally safe care.
• Contribute to broader campus education, advocacy, and awareness regarding FNMI student wellness, reconciliation, and equitable access to mental health supports at the University of Alberta.

Benefits

• Access to snacks and shared meals that bring students together, supporting both physical well-being and belonging.
• Access to tutoring, academic learning workshops, writing mentors, librarians, and the FPH Kîsikwan (calendar).
• Diverse, on-campus housing that provides secure, welcoming spaces for UA FNMI students.
• Dedicated First Nations, Métis, and Inuit awards.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed