Student Wellness Navigator

University of Guelph • Guelph, ON

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Student Wellness Navigator is part of a multidisciplinary team within Student Wellness Services (SWS) and provides proactive, relationship-based wellness support to students through both centralized services within SWS and as an embedded presence within academic colleges or designated departments. This role will be embedded in the Department of Athletics to be an accessible first point of contact for student athletes. The Navigator serves as an entry point for students experiencing personal, social, or mental health concerns, with a focus on early identification, prevention, and equitable access to support. Using a holistic, social determinants of health lens, the Navigator assists students in identifying needs related to mental health, belonging, identity, finances, housing, food security, and other factors influencing wellbeing and academic life. The Navigator provides screening, brief assessment, early intervention, and service planning, and collaborates with students to determine the most appropriate and efficient pathways of care. They act as a liaison between students and on- and off campus resources, reducing barriers to care, facilitating timely access, and promoting continuity of support. In addition to direct student athlete support, the Navigator builds and maintains a presence in the Department of Athletics by collaborating with administration, coaches, staff, and teams. Through outreach and wellness promotion, and in partnership with the Athlete Health and Wellbeing Coordinator and Counsellor, the Navigator increases awareness, visibility, and effective use of Student Wellness Services. The Navigator remains closely connected and integrated with Student Wellness Services to ensure coordinated care, quality oversight, and alignment with institutional priorities.

Requirements

• University degree in the field of social work or other related discipline.
• Minimum of three (3) years direct experience working in a mental health environment.
• Experience working with individuals with diverse and intersecting identities and/or lived experience within equity seeking communities.
• Contributing to anti-oppressive, anti-racist and trauma-informed practice with students.
• Knowledge of the student experience, particularly with regards to the social determinants of health.
• Understanding the broader mental health system, including emergency mental health services, procedures, and legislation.
• Clear understanding of privacy legislation (PHIPA, Mental Health Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, AODA, etc.).
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making skills.
• Highly developed ability to set priorities effectively in a fast-paced role.
• Suicide risk assessment and intervention skills, verbal de-escalation, crisis management skills (trained in ASIST or equivalent experience or program).
• Knowledge of electronic medical records systems.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Strong written, oral and presentation skills.
• Technical skills using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.

Nice To Haves

• Previous triage or non-clinical intake experience.
• Experience working with Athletes and/or lived experience.
• Post secondary experience with understanding of academic policies and procedures as well as the semester timeline.

Responsibilities

• Serves as an entry point for students experiencing personal, social, or mental health concerns, with a focus on early identification, prevention, and equitable access to support.
• Assists students in identifying needs related to mental health, belonging, identity, finances, housing, food security, and other factors influencing wellbeing and academic life.
• Provides screening, brief assessment, early intervention, and service planning.
• Collaborates with students to determine the most appropriate and efficient pathways of care.
• Acts as a liaison between students and on- and off campus resources, reducing barriers to care, facilitating timely access, and promoting continuity of support.
• Builds and maintains a presence in the Department of Athletics by collaborating with administration, coaches, staff, and teams.
• Increases awareness, visibility, and effective use of Student Wellness Services through outreach and wellness promotion, in partnership with the Athlete Health and Wellbeing Coordinator and Counsellor.
• Remains closely connected and integrated with Student Wellness Services to ensure coordinated care, quality oversight, and alignment with institutional priorities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level