Director, Equitable Learning, Health and Wellness

Director, Equitable Learning, Health and Wellness

Status: Full Time

Hours: Monday - Friday, 35 hours/week

Home Campus: Fennell (hybrid work arrangements available)

Rate of Pay: Payband 13 ($122,699 - $153,374 per year)

Posting Date: January 31st, 2025

Closing Date: February 14th, 2025 at 7:00 pm EST

We believe the rich diversity among our students and the communities we serve should be reflected within our workforce. As educators, we believe it is important to act and show leadership in advancing the principles of reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our community.

Reporting to the Registrar & Senior Director, Strategic Enrolment Management, the Director, Equitable Learning, Health and Wellness provides leadership and direction to the departments of Accessible Learning Services and the Health and Wellness teams (specifically Counselling and the Health Centre), including all education and promotion activities at the main campuses.

The incumbent plays an integral role in fostering a 'healthy campus community' that supports the success of the college's diverse student body.

The Director will be responsible for advocacy on behalf of students, including specifically those with disabilities or other health and wellness 'at risk' factors, and will directly and indirectly manage all day-to-day operational concerns for the portfolio.

The incumbent is required to work a minimum of 3 days per week on campus, though there is the potential for this to increase at any point to support in-person demands and/or departmental needs.

What you'll be doing:

Operations Management

• Develops, directs and monitors day-to-day departmental operations, including the setting of service and professional standards and assignment of workloads to direct staff within Accessible Learning Services and the Health and Wellness teams.
• Within the Health Centre, supports the collaboration between all health and wellness service providers on campus.
• Serves as the Health Data Custodian for health/clinical data housed within the portfolio; maintaining confidentiality of highly sensitive data and alignment with a highly regulated environment (PHIPA, regulated health professionals standards).
• Creates awareness and plans to address specific health issues and gaps in our current service offerings, including but not limited to: safe substance use, nutrition, mental health, sexual health, and resilience.
• Collaborates with other student service areas to provide topical and relevant programming optimizing the use of the services and integrating educational components of Counselling and Wellness Services.
• Maintains awareness of student mental health concerns and makes decisions about individual and emergency situations as a member of the Behaviour Intervention Team (BIT).
• Develops institutional protocols, procedures and messaging related to student issues, incidents and crises. Acts as a key emergency contact for students requiring support in a crisis situation.
• Facilitates decision making, response planning and communications in relation to critical incidents, high-level complex and/or high-risk student mental health and disability cases and or/complaints.
• Maintains current knowledge of counselling legislation requirements and health related issues by working with Hamilton Public Health.
• Develops relevant mental health, wellness and health education promotion and student programming.
• Oversees the development and implementation of Counselling, Health & Wellness and ALS student access and success initiatives. Monitors and evaluates services and develops improvements based on analysis and feedback. Reviews research and developments in the field to continually enhance the quality and effectiveness of services.

Financial, Human Resources and Operational Effectiveness

• Creates and oversees departmental budget. Prepares and submits required Ministry, College and Area Reports, including data management and metrics for each area of responsibility. Seeks opportunities for new sources of funding, program development and research with governmental, community and research partners to meet the evolving needs of students.
• Ensures the provision of necessary professional development/training for staff, including occupational health & safety programs. Contributes to a safe work environment by supervising departmental activities within the context of the College's Health and Safety management system and consistent with College's strategic direction and regulatory requirements.
• Promotes a high level of performance through effective recruiting, selecting, developing, motivating, evaluating, training and development of staff for which incumbent is responsible.

Strategic Leadership

• Develops and maintains professional relationships, with officials from other colleges, agencies, disability and other support related groups, government, medical and psychiatric professionals to promote good community relations.
• As a member of the Student Services and Supports leadership team, collaborates in the development and implementation of the Department's strategic plan as part of the College's administrative planning and service delivery process.
• Provides guidance and assistance to support the College meeting their legal obligation to accommodate students with disabilities and integrate them into all aspects of academics and student life under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians Act (AODA).
• Supports the development of College policies and procedures consistent with the objectives of the Health, Counselling and Accessibility programs. Ensures that services are consistent with College strategic directions, best practices in the post-secondary educational environment, and meet the needs of current and future students and potential students.
• Leads in accordance with all applicable College, provincial and federal guidelines and/or policies, and ensures that health professional regulations apply to the Counselling group of staff.

Other duties as assigned.

What you'll bring to the role:

• Master's degree or equivalent in Disability/Accessibility Studies, Adult or Special Education, Social Work, Psychology, Educational Administration, or a related field; or a combination of related education and experience.
• Minimum 9 years of practical related experience in a post-secondary environment, with a sophisticated understanding of equity principles, disability issues, and experience working in diverse populations who comprise the student body.
• Strong clinical background dealing with high numbers and high risk/complexity mental health changes.
• Expertise in disability-related accommodation and human rights, including applying the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code for student success.
• Experience in understanding health centre operations.
• Understanding of appropriate legislation pertaining to the post-secondary environment such as the Freedom of Information and the Protection of Privacy Act and the Personal Health Information Protection Act.
• Demonstrated experience in establishing/maintaining effective relationships with students, staff, government and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skills and ability to manage complex fiscal budgets. Knowledge of budget processes, cycles and application.
• Highly developed communication, conflict resolution, creative problem solving, and team building skills.
• Ability to manage cross-functional and dynamic teams.
• Strong preference will be given to individuals who are members in good standing or are eligible to be members of professional regulatory bodies (e.g. College of Psychotherapy).
• Knowledge of Ontario health, community outreach resources and clinical referral process.
• Considerable conflict and crisis resolution skills. Requires tact and diplomacy.
• Solid entrepreneurial skills in seeking new funding approaches and program development.
• Training in psycho-educational assessment of adults with learning disabilities, ADHD or knowledge to support supervision of staff accessing assessment tools.
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding of human rights, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• The ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse students, employees, and communities.

What we offer:

• Progressive vacation plan starting with 22 vacation days per year plus holiday closure.
• Defined Benefit pension plan (CAAT) with contributions matched by Mohawk College.
• 93% top up of maternity and parental leave pay for 52 weeks.
• Annual employee performance incentive program.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, paramedical services (massage therapy, acupuncture, naturopath, psychotherapy and psychology), short-term and long-term disability.
• Ability to take courses at a reduced rate for employees and dependents.

To find out more about working at Mohawk College, please visit https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/about-mohawk/careers-at-mohawk

We are committed to reconciliation and nurturing an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible (IDEA) environment for everyone who learns and works at Mohawk College. We welcome applications from racialized persons, women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

The College is committed to fostering inclusive ad barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources.

To learn more about Mohawk College's commitments, please visit the Mohawk College strategic plan webpage: https://www.strategicplan.mohawkcollege.ca/