Description
The Department of Community Health Sciences in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Black Child & Youth Specialist. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
This position reports to Principal Investigator.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Community Program Development
- Coordinate day to day activities of Black youth hub
- Design and implement youth development programs, such as after-school programs, mentorship initiatives, and leadership training
- Contribute to curriculum development, including leading mental health curriculum development
- Coordinate workshops on bullying prevention, substance abuse education, mental health awareness, anti-racism, and career guidance
- Develop support groups for youth dealing with trauma, loss, or peer pressure
- Organize recreational and educational activities that promote social and emotional growth
- Supervise and mentor health science students from the University of Calgary
Research and Knowledge Mobilization
- Support data collection for research including participant recruitment and conducting focus groups
- Deliver conversation cafes to Black children, youth and parents
- Support knowledge mobilization effort of the team including delivering presentation and contributing to writing for publication
Mentorship and Capacity Building
- Coordinate a mentorship program for Black youth
- Revise program document
- Prepare recruitment materials
- Review applications
- Recruit and interview participants
- Attend and moderate workshops
- Respond to inquiries from participants
- Organize monthly workshops for youth
- Write project report
- Process documents and expenses
Child and Youth Support Services
- Provide referral services to Black children, youth, and parents
- Provide group counseling
- Integrate trauma informed lens
Family & Caregiver Support
- Work with parents, guardians, and caregivers to improve family dynamics
- Connect families with resources such as food assistance, housing, healthcare, and financial aid
Advocacy & Policy Work
- Advocate for policies and programs that support Black children, youth and families
- Work with community organizations and local government agencies to improve community resources for young people
- Champion policies that address issues like child poverty, juvenile justice reform, and educational inequality
Networking & Collaboration
- Partner with Calgary African Community Collective members, other Black community-based organizations, researchers at the University of Calgary, schools, child protective services, healthcare providers, and law enforcement to coordinate child welfare services
- Attend community meetings, events, school board discussions, and local government sessions to address youth-related issues
- Organize outreach initiatives and community awareness campaigns
- Work with nonprofit organizations and faith-based groups to expand child and youth support programs
Case Management & Documentation
- Maintain accurate and confidential case records
- Monitor and evaluate the progress of youth involved in social programs
- Write reports
- Ensure compliance with ethical and legal standards
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in relevant fields such as social work, nursing, psychology
- Master's degree preferred
- Professional registration with a regulated professional body such as College of Registered Nurses of Alberta and Alberta College of Social Workers is an asset but not required
- Minimum of three to five years of experience
- Knowledge and skills in Afro-centric health service delivery
- Experience delivering psychosocial and mental health interventions
- Experience working with Black communities, especially members of the Calgary African Community Collective
- Experience working with Black children and youth
- Understanding of research methods, including participatory action research
- Experience mentoring and supervising health science students
- Excellent writing and communication skills (in English)
- Superb organizational skills
- High level of confidentiality and adherence to research ethics guidelines
- Skilled in community engagement and stakeholder relations
- Empathy and cultural competence
- Crisis intervention and problem-solving skills
- Case management and documentation
- Knowledge of laws, policies, and ethical guidelines
- Excellent time management, interpersonal skills, accuracy, and attention to detail
- Fluency in English required
- Fluency in French an asset
- Ability to travel within Calgary to meet work obligations
Application Deadline: May 7, 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 2.
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.
