Description
The Provost & VP Academic invites applications for a Recovery Support Specialist. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
The Recovery Support Specialist reports to the Program Manager of the UCalgary Recovery Community (UCRC) and Recovery on Campus (ROC) Alberta. This full-time, fixed-term position (12 months, with the possibility of extension) plays a critical role in coordinating daily operations of the UCRC Hub, case management, programming, and supporting ROC Alberta's growth.
This in-person role requires a strong commitment to fostering community relationships, supporting recovery initiatives, student and employee recovery, and ensuring program effectiveness. The work environment includes both on-campus and community settings, with frequent engagement with students, employees, and external partners. The role involves moderate to complex problem-solving, in-scope supervision of employees and volunteers, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional leadership in positioning UCRC and ROC as leaders in campus recovery programs. UCRC serves as the template and model for campus recovery initiatives, with ROC actively scaling these efforts province-wide. The candidate will play a key role in advancing this growth, ensuring the continued development and implementation of best practices that support students and employees in recovery.
This position works Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week, with occasional evening or weekend work to meet project deadlines.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
This position is responsible for the ongoing development, implementation, and coordination of a comprehensive Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP), encompassing:
- Program Development
- Creating and improving policies and procedures;
- Coordinating daily programming;
- Coordinating substance-free housing;
- Facilitating peer support opportunities;
- Overseeing case management services;
- Supporting outreach initiatives;
- Supporting program evaluation;
- Grant writing and reports.
- Case Management & Recovery Support
- Providing individualized support, guidance, and resource navigation for students and employees in or seeking recovery, as well as family, friends, and allies;
- Facilitating goal setting to optimize recovery alongside academic and work success;
- Providing case management support for all recovery pathways, including substance use and process addictions (e.g., gaming, gambling);
- Referring individuals to relevant internal and external resources to ensure comprehensive support.
- Campus & Community Collaboration
- Expanding student and employee access to substance use/addictive behavior prevention, harm reduction, and recovery support services;
- Supervising and training student peer recovery navigators, allies, and volunteers;
- Strengthening campus and community partnerships.
- Program Evaluation & Research Collaboration
- Partnering with the Recovering in Place Lab Research Team to evaluate the program's impact and effectiveness.
Note:
This role does not provide clinical support, therapy, or counseling services. This role is ideal for a highly motivated leader passionate about campus recovery, peer support, and fostering inclusive, recovery-friendly environments across Alberta.
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., mental health, social work, psychology, addiction, recovery).
- At least five years of relevant professional experience in addiction, recovery, or mental health.
- Supervisory experience with students and/or employees.
- Adept organizational and project coordination skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, work independently, take initiative, and prioritize effectively.
- Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Experience working with diverse populations and a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Ability to facilitate individual and group discussions on sensitive topics.
- Knowledge and respect for diverse recovery pathways.
- Strong problem-solving skills with an ability to develop user-friendly and adaptable solutions.
- Experience working with substance use/addictions, incorporating prevention, harm reduction, and recovery in higher education settings.
- Familiarity with university financial systems and budgeting processes.
- Proficiency in program evaluation and data-driven program development.
- Experience mentoring and engaging people in recovery.
- Experience with Qualtrics or similar data collection platforms.
- Lived experience of addiction recovery.
- Recovery Coach training.
Application Deadline: April 8, 2025
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist / Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.
About the University of Calgary
UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
