Coordinator, Peer Support Centre

Are you passionate about mental health? Do you want to help make campus a more supportive and caring community? Does the idea of supporting skill development for volunteers make your brain buzz with ideas? If so, becoming one of the coordinators for the Peer Support Centre could be a fantastic opportunity for you!

About the Peer Support Centre

The Peer Support Centre (PSC) is a Students’ Union service that offers a free, confidential, and non-judgmental place for any member of the campus or community to receive support. The PSC provides supportive listening, crisis intervention, and campus and community resource information through a team of highly-trained student volunteers. 

About the University of Alberta Students’ Union

The University of Alberta Students’ Union (UASU) 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.

About the Opportunity

The Peer Support Centre (PSC) Coordinator works closely in overseeing the organization and operations of the Centre. The position is responsible for maintaining key aspects, including but not limited to; volunteer recruitment, training, evaluation, development and community building. PSC Coordinators also support the Program Lead to manage the Centre’s resource database, data collection, outreach initiatives, and procedures. The PSC Coordinator is also required to provide supportive listening and crisis management to clients as necessary, and to assist in evaluating areas of risk and executing intervention and safety plans.

An ideal candidate is passionate about supporting volunteer growth and establishing ongoing community within the Centre. Previous experience and training in mental health supportive/active listening is required. This job also requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends. PSC Coordinators must be able to work collaboratively in a team environment. 

We are hiring for two student Coordinator positions. 

This is a contract position with a start date of May 5, 2025, and an end date of April 30, 2026. This position works full time until the end of August at 37.5 hours per week, and then part time at 20 hours per week from September to April.

Core Duties 

• Assist in ensuring the effective operation of the Peer Support Centre (PSC)
• Assist the Program Lead of the Peer Support Centre with volunteer management, including: recruitment, training, supervising, scheduling, appreciation/community building, and ongoing support.
• Facilitating outreach and programming initiatives to increase general awareness of the Peer Support Centre.
• Coaching volunteers in sessions, assessing risks, and completing documentation.
• Responsible for the logistics, facilitation, and personnel coordination of volunteer training, with support from the Program Lead.
• Maintain and develop the Peer Support Centre’s resource library.
• Work collaboratively and effectively with fellow staff of the Centre.
• Lead and support leadership volunteers in overseeing our Centre’s subcommittees of volunteers.
• Update and organize filing systems, client documentation systems, and computer files in addition to general administrative duties.
• Support the review and update of the Centre’s protocols and procedures as needed.
• Membership and participation on Students’ Union committees, task forces, and working groups, as required.
• Submission of regular and final reports as required by the Program Lead.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be an undergraduate student at the University of Alberta, enrolled in at least one course in each of the fall and winter sessions during the term of employment.
• General academic and non-academic understanding of the University of Alberta;
• Eligible to work in Canada (including students who are in Canada on a study permit);
• Previous experience providing supportive/active listening to people in distress.
• The ability to work on-site at our offices at the University of Alberta’s North Campus, in Edmonton, Alberta;
• Availability to work varying hours, including evenings and weekends during the summer and school year.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to effectively employ interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage time
• Demonstrated ability to manage stressful or complex situations.
• Demonstrated ability to build community with volunteers and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to incorporate and provide constructive feedback.
• Ability to deal effectively with Students’ Union and University staff, students, and the general public in a professional manner.
• Proficiency with Macintosh computers, Discord, and Google software applications such as; Google sheets, drive, and calendar.
• Previous experience in volunteer management and training.
• Previous experience in public speaking, facilitation, and training.
• Familiarity with or previous volunteer role with the Peer Support Centre, or other supportive listening or crisis intervention services.
• Completion of Community Helpers, QPR, Mental Health First Aid, ASIST or other equivalent mental health or crisis intervention training.

Application instructions: 

Only complete applications received through Bamboo HR will be considered. To be considered complete, applications must have an up-to-date resume, cover letter, and meet the minimum requirements for this position. Applications will close on March 9th at 11:59 PM. 

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 psc@su.ualberta.ca

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.

Salary : $1,499 - $2,810