Our Organization

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a recognizable and reliable community mental health organization linked together through affiliation and shared vision nationwide. The Alberta Division’s growth over the last six years has created a flourishing working environment for those with a passion to link their work to tangible advances in better mental health in Alberta. Our work is focused on provincial scope with projects, stakeholder relations, government relations, projects, events, training, and engagement with Alberta’s communities, both large and small.

For over 60 years, Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta Division (CMHA-AB) has focused on community-based services, recovery, and support for Albertans impacted with mental health and/or addiction issues. We stand beside Albertans on their recovery journey as they live in their community and work to achieve their wellness goals.

CMHA-AB operates as a registered charity within the not-for-profit sector. We work at the intersection of clinical and local mental health care. Our projects and services are developed to address the unique needs of individuals and communities related to better mental health and the impacts of mental illness across Alberta.

Background

Indigenous youth and young adults in Alberta continue to experience challenges and barriers to accessing mental health resources both in and out of their communities. The Community Based Mental Health Hubs for Youth model provides a mechanism to support a true collaborative approach to streamline existing services, increase accessibility, and reduce some of the burden on our already over-capacity mental health system. Indigenous community-based hubs, grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, learning, and healing that integrate mental health and addictions services, peer support, social services, primary health care, education, and others, to provide innovative and coordinated access to care.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the CMHA Alberta Division Integrated Youth Hub Project lead, the specialist will co-design an implementation approach, resources, and guides, by providing leadership with cultural knowledge of systems and protocols and strengthening relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and systems. The role will also provide support and mentorship to ensure Truth and Reconciliation principles are woven into improving coordinated access to mental health care for youth and young adults.

Roles and Responsibilities

As an integral part of the Youth Hub Support Team, the Resource Development Specialist will:

• Engage Indigenous peoples, nations, and regions in co creating an implementation approach that names systemic barriers and gaps in services for mental health for indigenous youth.
• Synthesize and organize information into an accessible and understandable resource that will serve as the implementation guide for youth hubs in Indigenous communities.
• Support and inform the evaluation team and ensure integration of First Nations OCAP principles of data sovereignty.
• Assist in defining and implementing collaborative governance through an indigenous lens.
• Foster strong relationships with community leaders, Elders, Knowledge Keepers.
• Sharing knowledge and information across the youth hubs initiative, agencies, and government partners.
• Provide regular updates for executive leadership, committee, and funders.

Skills and Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in resource/curriculum development.
• Experience and knowledge in Indigenous youth mental health trends and barriers in accessing services.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities and/or organizations.
• Ability to work in a dynamic and shifting social, political, and organizational context.
• Knowledge and experience in community development, collective impact, and program implementation principles.
• Comprehensive understanding of inclusion, diversity, and equity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Solid critical thinking and planning skills; some research experience will be an asset.
• Self-motivated; able to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining regular communication.
• Proven track record with community development projects.
• Project management experience with diverse sectors including government, community agencies (social service providers, etc.) primary health and mental health service providers.

Education (Professional Certification/Designations)

• Completed or currently enrolled in a related degree or diploma program (Human/Health Services, Education, Social Work, Business). Equivalency of education and work experience will be considered. 
• Standard First Aid CPR/AED, Level C.
• Non-violent Crisis Intervention, Mental Health First Aid and Suicide Awareness training is an asset.

Other Requirements

• Valid Driver’s License.
• Clear Criminal Record Check dated within 90 days of the start date.

Working Conditions

• This is a full-time, contract position until March 31, 2023.
• Work from Home position (Edmonton residents may work out of CMHA Alberta Division Office, however, temporarily remote due to COVID-19); must be able to sit at a computer for several hours.
• Occasional travel to designated youth hub communities will be required.