Temporary Integrated Child & Youth Counselor

School District 71 is an inclusive learning community that embraces diversity, fosters relationships and empowers all learners to have a positive impact on the world. Our mission is to work with our educational partners to inspire engaged, compassionate, resilient lifelong learners and cultivate a collaborative community together.

Integrated Child & Youth Counselor

Reporting and accountable to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools, the primary responsibilities of this new exempt position are to work as part of the multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional integrated child and youth (ICY) team to provide therapeutic counselling services and school liaison support for children, youth and families experiencing mild/moderate mental health needs, and to manage and oversee the Youth Peer Support Worker position.

This role includes outreach work with the community to support a cluster of Public, Independent and First Nations operated schools within the geographic region. This role is required to be available to perform time-sensitive work outside of regular (9-5) working hours as required, e.g., emergency counselling to children and youth and their families.

Responsibilities

• Support the ICY team and schools served to mitigate and address factors which may precipitate mental health and substance use challenges for children and youth.

• Provide child/youth and family therapeutic counselling through a lens of intervention and/or prevention support. Monitor the progress of child/youth on their case load.

• Perform the functions of a manager of employees in the Youth Peer Support Worker positions as a part of the ICY teams including:
  
  * Responsible for recruitment, selection and hiring of school-based employees assigned to the portfolio within the program
  
  * Provide orientation, coaching, training and mentoring to direct report
  
  * Manage employee conduct related matters including conduct employee relations related investigations with the human resources department, issues discipline and discharge of the employee when necessary
  
  * Manage employee attendance including informal and formal discussions with employees when absenteeism is continuously impacting service delivery; provides consideration to all applicable leave of absence requests
  
  * Manage employees including routine informal performance feedback, the development of employee work plans, and conduct staff performance review and related development plans reviews
  
  * Interpret and comply with applicable collective agreements, participate in the grievance and arbitration process, and consult with human resources to provide feedback on collective bargaining initiatives necessary to support to the program and community
  
  * Manage assigned budget including staffing budgets allocated to the portfolio

• Liaise between school staff and the ICY team, to represent and advocate for the needs of all children and youth (birth to 19) within the geographic area with a focus on prevention/early intervention wherever possible.

• Provide support for the Youth Peer Support Worker to participate as a core ICY team member.

• Attend and actively participate in integrated child and youth team meetings.

• Provide oversight and supervision of the Youth Peer Support Worker to provide peer-based mentoring and emotional support to youth ages 12-19 with the following:
  
  * to support systems navigation and resource distribution to youth;
  
  * in facilitating or co-facilitating groups for children, youth and families as needed;
  
  * to encourage membership in the school community.

• As needed and as appropriate, attend school-base team meetings, partner and community agency meetings.

• Facilitate multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional team decision making through a consensus building process.

• Deliver workshops and ongoing training to families, district staff and community agencies as determined by the ICY team.

• Lead counselling groups for children, youth and families as needed.

• Cultivate a collegial atmosphere with case supervision and case consultation.

• Work in collaboration with school and school district counsellors.

• Consult with and coordinate support services from outside agencies when needed (e.g., community services, RCMP).

The successful candidate will have:

• Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology, Educational Psychology, Psychology or a related field and must include a 300-hour supervised school-based practicum or equivalent.

• Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) credentials, and educational and training criteria to be a member of the BC Association of Clinical counsellors (BCACC).

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience working with families, children, and youth in a clinical counselling setting.

• Experience in clinical and/or educational interventions with children, adolescents, and families (including crisis intervention).

• Demonstrated cultural agility to work respectfully, knowledgeably, and effectively with Indigenous peoples with an understanding of Indigenous worldviews and approaches to healing.

• Experience leading and managing employees…