Contract position to September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027, with extension contingent on funding

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, culturally-responsive, identity-affirming 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 hiring for the role of Implementation Support Coach and Portfolio Consultant. The successful candidates will provide implementation coaching to assigned Ontario (English and/or French) school boards, drawing on established protocols, benchmarks, and expectations.  Implementation Support Coaches typically serve 6-8 boards in a region alongside partner coaches. At this time, we are seeking experienced, equity-minded senior school mental health professionals and system leaders (Directors of Education or Superintendents of Education) who have demonstrated proficiency in leading the implementation of multi-tiered systems of support to advance student mental health in Ontario school districts. Secondment from Ontario school boards would also be considered. 

Implementation Support Coaches also carry portfolio responsibilities. At this time, the following portfolio areas require dedicate leadership:

• Substance Use Health and Addictions prevention
• Prevention and Early Intervention – Learning and Training
• Indigenous Student Mental Health
• Mentally Healthy Systems and Schools

Applicants should highlight strengths in their qualifications and experiences that would equip them to lead a portfolio in one or more of the areas noted.

At SMH-ON, we recognize diversity as a source of organizational strength. We are actively seeking applications from those who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing student mental health with a clear focus on human rights, and on reducing disproportionality and disparity in outcomes. Those with experience in serving racialized communities, and those with
identities that have been historically/presently disadvantaged and marginalized, will bring particular assets that are highly valued within the team.

This role includes, but is not limited to:

1. Provide implementation coaching support to assigned Ontario school boards in the area of student mental health and addictions, primarily through consultation with the Superintendent with responsibility for mental health and Mental Health Leader in each assigned board. This
   includes, for example:
   • helping board mental health leadership teams to create and execute a robust mental health and addictions strategy and action plan that is contextualized for the needs of students they serve, and aligned with expectations outlined in PPM169,
   • guiding boards in selecting, implementing, and monitoring evidence-informed, identity- affirming mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention programming,
   • supporting boards with the application of professional learning and training in the area of school mental health across a range of audiences,
   • encouraging uptake of made-in-Ontario classroom resources, including educator an student mental health literacy offerings and wellness resources, protocols
   • assisting boards to customize provincial resources for the local context and the students served, ensuring that programming is reflective and responsive to the needs every student, and particularly those who are racialized and marginalized,
   • engaging with the Right Time, Right Care process and helping boards to work through associated milestones with their community partners (e.g., board and community mapping, strength and gap analysis),
   • assisting boards with measurement and monitoring related to the board mental health and addictions strategy and action plan and related initiatives,
   • providing ongoing implementation support, trouble-shooting, and crisis response.
2. Support provincial mental health leadership meetings designed to assist with consistency and cross-board sharing across the Ontario-wide community of practice related to school mental health leadership.
3. Coordinate and facilitate regional learning and peer networking meetings alongside other Implementation Support Coaches serving the region, with a view to creating space for dialogue and learning related to locally relevant priorities.
4. Promote the use of the Identity Affirming School Mental Health Frame. Work with leaders who represent specific populations, with particular emphasis on historically disadvantaged groups, to identify and introduce identity/intersectionality-specific mental health supports,
   and/or to adapt existing protocols, with a view to ensuring that services meet the needs of
   students who may experience racism, marginalization, or oppression.
5. Attend regular SMH-ON team meetings, and Implementation Support Coaching rounds, to contribute to consistency of coaching practice across the province. Complete tracking forms and other administrative tasks. Support ongoing projects related to uptake and implementation of high-yield programming and resources.
6. Lead an assigned portfolio in one or more of the designated areas (i.e., , substance use health and addictions prevention, prevention and early intervention – learning and training, Indigenous student mental health, mentally healthy systems and schools). This involves resource development using co-design processes, professional learning and training activities, and subject matter consultation.

Qualifications:

1. Regulated mental health professional in good standing with an Ontario professional college (e.g., CPBAO, OCSWSSW, CRPO), registered to practice with children, youth and families, with a minimum of Masters-level education in social work, psychology, or other health/social service discipline OR senior system leader (Director, Superintendent) with experience
   leading the mental health portfolio in an Ontario school district.
2. At least five years of experience working within a school board setting in the role of school mental health professional in a management capacity or Director or Superintendent of Education with responsibility for mental health.
3. Evidence of effective consultation, coaching and facilitation skills. Proficient use of systems thinking and organizational change management techniques.
4. Demonstrated understanding of implementation science, and its application to school mental health. Demonstrated commitment to principles of equity, inclusion, anti-racism, respect and social justice. Experience in serving racialized communities, and those with identities that have been historically/presently disadvantaged and marginalized is considered an asset. Commitment to evidence-informed, identity affirming, culturally-responsive, and youth-engaged approaches to clinical service in schools.
5. Strong subject matter expertise in the portfolio areas highlighted in the candidate’s application. This includes fluency with related research and practice considerations, and good understanding of priority areas within these portfolios.
   • For those applying for portfolios related to substance use health and addictions prevention, or prevention and early intervention, experience with SMH-ON protocols and resources is considered a highly valued asset (e.g., trained in SBIRT, PreVenture, Brief Coping Interventions, Brief Intervention for School Clinicians, STRONG as well as
     approaches like ACT, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy from an Identity Affirming Perspective).
   • For the portfolio related to Indigenous mental health, we are seeking individuals with experience supporting school-based mental health services from a two-eyed seeing approach who can fluently understand and navigate protocols, distinctions, and unique regional strengths and needs.
   • For the portfolio related to mentally healthy systems and schools, experience with thesystem leaders’ course, Leading Mentally Healthy Schools, and other SMH-ON resources is considered an asset.
6. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Consultants supporting French language school boards must be fluently bilingual in both English and French.
7. Strong initiative and ability to work independently. Demonstrated experience working with colleagues in a team environment. Proven ability to work in collaborative ways with community partners and various stakeholders. Excellent relationship-building skills.
8. Skilled in Microsoft office suite (including OneDrive, Outlook, Teams, Sharepoint), as well as the ability to learn new programs quickly and comfort and ability with a range of web-based virtual meeting programs.
9. Access to a vehicle and ability to travel to in-person coaching meetings.
10. Must provide a clean and satisfactory criminal background check prior to hiring. 

Pay Range: $500 – $600 per day (seven (7) billable hours equals one day).

This posting is for a current vacancy, and SMH-ON does not use artificial intelligence for the purpose of screening, assessing and/or selecting applicants for positions.

Deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m. on July 10, 2026.

Please apply to: hr@smho-smso.ca (Include the position title you are applying for in the subject line of your email)

Applicants are thanked in advance for their interest; however, only those who have been short- listed for an interview will be contacted. Accommodation for applicants is available in the recruitment process. All interviews will be held virtually.