NAITSA is hiring Peer Supporters for the 2024-25 academic year. Peer Support is an anonymous and confidential supportive listening service for students, by students.
Are you…
- A good listener, empathetic, and like helping others?
- Someone who considers themselves a great communicator?
- Able to remain calm and supportive in conversations?
- On campus regularly and/or within commuting distance?
- Organized and great at managing your time?
- A NAIT student enrolled in classes until at least April 2025?
…the Peer Supporter position may be the right fit for you!
What does a Peer Supporter do?
A trained Peer Supporter listens, without judgement, to support their student peers by helping to develop action plans and giving referrals to other areas or services more appropriate for long term support, such as counselling or professional resources.
The responsibilities of the position include:
- Maintain confidentiality and discretion during Peer Support sessions
- Remain unbiased and non-judgemental throughout Peer Support Session, either in-person or through LiveChat
- Keep the Peer Support room tidy and welcoming for all students
- Participate in regular roleplay sessions to keep your Peer Support listening skills sharp
- Attend supervisor check-ins (1 or 2 per term)
- Assist the Peer Support Coordinator with event planning and brainstorming for the program
- Attend training and workshops as required (some evenings and weekends may be required)
- Promote the Peer Support service at event booths around campus
- Complete training and given assignments.
Qualifications:
- Must be a NAIT student enrolled in classes until at least April 2025 to be considered;
- Empathy and compassion; we will train the listening skills, but successful candidates must be able to empathize with others’ experiences and provide non-judgemental support;
- Resilience; you are able to handle emotional situations and maintain composure;
- Communication skills; effective communication skills to convey support and information clearly both verbally and in written format;
Asset (not required):
- Mental Health First Aid
The Peer Supporter position is a part-time contract position from late August 2024 through April 2025. This position requires a minimum of 3-6 hours per week during business hours ( 8am-4pm, Monday through Friday) for client sessions and group meetings. Weekly hours can vary depending on availability and class schedule.
The Peer Support program offers walk-in service on campus (J209B) and online via LiveChat service. Successful candidates must be available to work shifts on-campus during business hours.
Confidentiality of the Peer Support program
At NAITSA, we aim to provide an open and welcoming space where all students can feel comfortable to utilize the Peer Support service. Preserving the confidentiality and anonymity of the program is important to achieve this. As such, upon hire, Peer Supporters are not able to publicly disclose their specific position to peers, on social media, etc., for the duration of their term. Peer Supporters are welcome to share they work for the Service Hub at NAITSA during their term and are free to add the experience to their resume.
Mandatory Training:
As a condition of employment for the Peer Supporter role, successful candidates must participate in mandatory Peer Support training. Failure to attend any of the mandatory sessions will result in the candidate being deemed ineligible for employment in this position. Peer Support Training occurs over two full weekends (Saturday & Sunday, 8.5hr per day) in August. Exact training dates are To Be Determined and will be confirmed upon hire.
How to Apply
If you are interested in this opportunity, follow these steps:
- Complete the online application
- Upload your resume and cover letter. We will not consider candidates without a cover letter.
- To ensure you’ve carefully read this job posting, please answer these questions in your cover letter:
- What interests you about Peer Support?
- What do you do for self-care?
You can expect a confirmation email once we have received your application. While we appreciate all applications for employment, only those applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted further.
Closing Date: This position was posted on Friday, February 16th and will remain open until suitable candidates are found.
About NAITSA
NAITSA, as a non-profit organization, provides services, representation and leadership to students enrolled in credit and apprenticeship programs at NAIT. Our NAITSA Service Hub helps make life as a student easier through our services and programs. The Service Hub proudly launched the first year of Peer Support in the fall of 2018 and now offers Peer Support to students on main campus and online through LiveChat service.
For more information about the NAIT Students’ Association please visit our website at www.naitsa.ca. For general employment inquiries or to request accommodations at any point in the recruitment process, please email hr@naitsa.ca
We look forward to seeing your application!
APPLY ONLINE
