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Social Worker

University of Alberta
Edmonton, CAN
Full-time
Mid
Onsite
Discovered 4 days ago

Full Job Posting

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) required; Master of Social Work (MSW) considered an asset.
  • Is First Nations, Metis or Inuit with a strong understanding of cultural protocols and ceremonial practices.
  • Preference will be given to individuals fluent in their tribal language (Stoney, Dogrib, Cree, Chipewyan, Dene, Inuit, Blackfoot, Ojibwe, Mechif).
  • Holds community connections with Elders, Traditional Knowledge Keepers (TKK) or cultural ambassadors.
  • Holds a high level of understanding of FNMI students, families and community members as it pertains to living within a First Nation community, a Métis Settlement or an Inuit community (fly-in communities, rural and urban experiences, 60s scoop, IRS survivor or first-generation survivor ways of knowing).
  • Membership in good standing with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW), or openness to register with ACSW within 1 month of hiring date. Please note: If upfront registration and insurance fees present a financial barrier, the organization is committed to providing financial accommodation or reimbursement options.
  • Training and demonstrated competence in FNMI cultural safety, trauma-informed practice, and anti-oppressive social work approaches.
  • Application Instructions
  • Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter.
  • This role requires confirmation of First Nation, Métis or Inuit membership or citizenship. Selected applicants will be asked for documentation prior to attending an interview.
  • This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).
  • This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Responsibilities

  • The FPH Social Worker operates within a complex, interdisciplinary mental health and wellness environment at the University of Alberta, with a primary focus on supporting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) students across diverse academic, personal, and social contexts within First Peoples’ House.
  • The FPH Social Worker provides culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and strengths-based social work services to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) students within a post-secondary interdisciplinary mental health and wellness framework. The role operates within ACSW Standards of Practice, University of Alberta policies, and FNMI cultural safety principles, with a focus on holistic student wellbeing, self-determination, and connection to culture, community, and support.
  • FNMI Student Mental Health, Wellness, and FNMI Student Short-Term Counselling and Case Management Support
  • Provide culturally grounded social work support for FNMI students experiencing mental health, wellness, academic, social, financial, or personal challenges.
  • Integrate First Peoples’ House (FPH) knowledge systems, cultural teachings, and traditional wellness practices into individualized care planning and student support.
  • Provide direct service to FNMI students across all faculties and year levels, including undergraduate, graduate, mature, and student-parent populations, each with varying levels of mental health, academic, financial, and social complexity.
  • Conduct holistic assessments, crisis intervention, suicide risk assessments, and short-term stabilization support using trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches.
  • Support FNMI students in navigating university systems, healthcare services, community resources, and social services to address immediate and ongoing needs.
  • Support students navigating complex systems impacted by intergenerational trauma, colonization, socioeconomic barriers, disability-related needs, and cultural identity factors.
  • FPH Centred Care Planning and Collaboration with FPH Staff, Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers
  • Collaborate closely with First Peoples’ House (FPH) Staff, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers to strengthen culturally grounded wellness initiatives and continuity of care.
  • Maintain daily communication with First Peoples’ House (FPH), Elders, Knowledge Keepers, FNMI student supports, and other culturally grounded campus services to ensure culturally safe and holistic care.
  • Incorporate First Peoples’ House teachings and groundings, cultural practices, ceremony, and teachings into holistic care planning where appropriate and student-led.
  • Support continuity of care through culturally safe coordination between campus and community supports.
  • Strengthen student connection to community as part of wellness and healing processes.
  • Advocacy and Equity in Systems Navigation
  • Advocate for culturally safe and equitable services for FNMI students across campus and within external systems.
  • Support FNMI students in navigating institutional, healthcare, academic, and community systems to reduce barriers to care.
  • Engage with external community partners, including FNMI health services, Alberta Health Services, social service agencies, child and family services, housing supports, and financial assistance programs, to coordinate wraparound care.
  • Identify and address systemic gaps that impact FNMI students’ access to services and supports.
  • Promote equitable access to resources through advocacy and culturally informed systems navigation.
  • Contribute to student well-being, retention, academic success, crisis prevention, and equitable access to services for FNMI students across the university system.
  • Relationship Building and Collaborative Partnerships
  • Maintain meaningful and ongoing relationships with FNMI organizations, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Social Work Team members, and a diverse on and off community of supports that strengthen referral pathways and wraparound care for students.
  • Acts as key lead with Health and Wellness Services (HWS) and works closely with the Manager of the Social Work Team, contributing to an interdisciplinary care model that includes psychologists, physicians, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, nurses, and social workers.
  • Develop and maintain strong partnerships with on and off-campus units, community agencies, and health providers.
  • Facilitate coordinated, wraparound service delivery through interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Strengthen referral pathways that are culturally safe, accessible, and responsive to the needs of FNMI students.
  • Contribute to campus-wide FNMI wellness initiatives, education, and reconciliation efforts that impact institutional practices and student support frameworks.
  • Student Empowerment, Autonomy, and Strength-Based Support
  • Promote FNMI student autonomy, resilience, self-advocacy, and connection to community.
  • Support FNMI students in identifying their own goals, strengths, and wellness pathways.
  • Encourage informed decision-making and self-determined engagement with support and services.
  • Foster resilience and empowerment through culturally grounded, strengths-based FNMI Wise social work practices.
  • Documentation, Ethics, and Regulatory Compliance
  • Operate within strict confidentiality and legislative frameworks, including the ACSW Standards of Practice, university policy, the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA), and the Health Information Act (HIA).
  • Maintain confidential student documentation in accordance with ACSW standards, university policies, POPA, and HIA legislation.
  • Ensure accurate, timely, and secure documentation of assessments, interventions, referrals, and care plans.
  • Maintain compliance with ethical standards, privacy legislation, and institutional requirements.
  • Ensure responsible handling of personal and health information in alignment with professional obligations.
  • Manage a dynamic caseload of FNMI students requiring short-term counselling, crisis intervention, systems navigation, advocacy, and coordinated care planning.
  • Contribute to the FPH monthly, quarterly and annual quantitative and qualitative reports.
  • FNMI Wellness Education, Outreach, and Campus Engagement
  • Contribute to FNMI wellness education, outreach, presentations, and campus-wide initiatives related to reconciliation and student wellbeing.
  • Participate in training, workshops, and educational initiatives that promote FNMI student wellness and cultural safety.
  • Provide outreach and consultation to campus partners regarding supporting FNMI students in distress.
  • Support broader institutional understanding of FNMI mental health, reconciliation, and wellness frameworks.
  • Collaborate with internal university departments, including Residence Services, Student Success and Experience units, accessibility resources, academic faculties, student conduct and support services.

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