Youth Counsellor - Indigenous Student Well

Position: Youth Counsellor - Indigenous Student Well-Being
Location: St. Catharines

DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD OF NIAGARA

INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR:

Youth Counsellor – Indigenous Student Well-Being

The DSBN is a supportive, innovative community that works towards doing what’s best for kids and helps every student achieve success. Whether you’re in the classroom, on the playing fields, in the office or in the cafeteria, we know it’s the dedicated staff who bring our mission to life – you are what creates a child’s school experience, and contribute to students reaching their full potential.

We proudly serve over 40,000 students across almost 100 elementary and secondary schools in Niagara, located between Lake Erie in the South and Lake Ontario to the North.

POSITION:  One (1) Permanent Position– Youth Counsellor – Indigenous Student Well-Being

LOCATION:

Working within the DSBN Elementary and Secondary Schools

RATE OF PAY:  $63,544.01-$67,141.81 annually

SCHEDULE:

35 hours per week - 10 Month Position (Working from September to June)

Position Summary:

The successful applicant will provide relationship-based support to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students in elementary, secondary, and alternative education settings, with a focus on promoting belonging, well-being, engagement, and student success. Working collaboratively with school administrators, school staff, the Indigenous Student Well-Being Team, families, and community partners, the Indigenous Youth Counsellor will support students through culturally responsive, strengths-based, restorative, and trauma-informed approaches.

This position will primarily support students who identify as Indigenous in schools identified as priorities across the District School Board of Niagara, as well as students enrolled in the Mnoomin Indigenous Secondary Program. The successful applicant will contribute to creating culturally affirming learning environments that honour Indigenous identities, ways of knowing, and community connections while supporting students in achieving their personal, social, emotional, and educational goals.

Qualifications:

Must hold a Child and Youth Care Diploma (CAAT) or qualifications deemed equivalent by the Board;

A valid Ontario Driver’s License with the ability to travel to schools with in DSBN;

Demonstrates experience working and supporting with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children, youth, families, or communities, with knowledge of culturally responsive practices and community-based approaches to supporting Indigenous student success.

Demonstrates the ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, possesses strong organizational and time management skills;

Demonstrates experience with successfully supporting students who have social and /or emotional difficulties in educational programs in both the elementary and secondary panels;

Is an effective communicator (both written and verbal);

Preference will be given to candidates who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit and bring lived experience, cultural knowledge, and strong relationships within Indigenous communities.

In addition, the successful applicant must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the following:

Building trusting, culturally responsive relationships with Indigenous students that foster belonging, positive identity, well-being, engagement, and success in school.

Applying knowledge of Indigenous histories, perspectives, and the impacts of colonization through culturally affirming, strengths-based, restorative, and trauma-informed practices.

Collaborating effectively with Administrators, school staff, Indigenous Student Well-being staff, families, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community partners to coordinate meaningful supports for students.

Providing responsive, relationship-based interventions that strengthen emotional regulation, resilience, attendance, engagement, successful transitions, and student success.

Promoting student voice, identity, self-determination, and connection to Indigenous cultures, traditions, languages, and community.

Demonstrating strong communication, professional judgment, reflective practice, and the ability to respond flexibly to the evolving needs of students, families, schools, and communities.

Maintaining…