School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON) works together with Ontario school districts to support student mental health. As a provincial implementation support team, SMH-ON provides leadership, resources, implementation coaching and a community of practice in order to promote the uptake, scaling, and sustainability of evidence-based, implementation-sensitive, identity affirming and culturally-responsive practices in school mental health. SMH-ON serves the 72 English and French school boards in Ontario, remote school authorities, and provincial demonstration schools. The team works alongside the Ministry of Education and has a role within the wider system of care, linking with partner ministries and organizations to advance child and youth mental health.

We are currently offering a contracted research assistant role to support several projects related to student mental health and addictions prevention. The successful candidate will support consultations with stakeholders, and will assist with evidence reviews, program evaluation, data management and reporting.  We are seeking an individual who has experience with research methods in health, mental health and/or education settings. School Mental Health Ontario prioritizes culturally responsive and identity affirming approaches to student well-being, and we recognize diversity as a source of organizational strength. Experience working alongside marginalized and racialized communities to support wellness is considered a strong asset.

Contract position from February 24, 2025 to August 31, 2025.

This role includes, but is not limited to:

1. Assisting with stakeholder consultations related to addictions prevention and literacy programming. This includes attendance and English and French facilitation support during virtual consultation sessions, note-taking and review of transcripts, content analysis to identify thematic recommendations within and across groups, collating qualitative data gathered through stakeholder review sessions and surveys, reporting and presentation of findings to support project directions and stakeholder feedback.
2. Supporting a student consultation process related to gathering voice to inform a campaign designed to promote healthy choices with respect to substance use health and balanced social media use. This includes supporting the information-gathering and review of findings in English and French, capturing student voice for use in the campaign, and supporting the development of campaign concepts.
3. Contributing to the design and implementation of a school-based addictions prevention and literacy program. This includes supporting decision-making related to design options, assisting with REB applications, helping with recruitment, assisting with data collection, analysis, and reporting.
4. Conducting evidence reviews related to school mental health and addictions prevention and mobilizing the findings for a variety of audiences in a range of formats.
5. Providing overall project support in areas related to student mental health and addictions prevention and literacy.
6. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/experience:

1. Undergraduate or graduate degree or diploma in health/public health, psychology, social work, or related mental health or research field.
2. Experience with quantitative analytic methods.
3. Experience with analyses of qualitative data (e.g., from interviews or focus groups).
4. Experience in supporting consultation/focus groups within educational settings is an asset.
5. Experience conducting evidence reviews.
6. Experience with completing research reports and/or projects.
7. Strong attention to detail, planning, organizational, and time management skills. 
8. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English and French.
9. Bilingualism in English and French, or other languages, is a strong asset.
10. Proficient in computer applications including database and statistical applications, survey software, Microsoft Outlook/Office 365, and Zoom.
11. Experience in the Ontario publicly funded education sector is an asset.
12. Understanding of the Ontario education sector is an asset.

The deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m. on February 19, 2025.

Please apply to hr@smho-smso.ca and include the position title you are applying for in the subject line of your email.