Indigenous Education Support Worker

British Columbia Public School Employers' Association | Make a Future - Careers in BC Education; Cranbrook; On-site; CAD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

British Columbia Public School Employers' Association | Make a Future - Careers in BC Education seeks an Indigenous Support Worker to provide direct and indirect support to teachers, administrators, parents, students, and communities with an Indigenous perspective. The role collaborates with Indigenous communities, the Director of Indigenous Education, and school staff.

The position is permanent, 35 hours per week, located at TM Roberts Elementary, with wage rate per CUP E Local 4165 agreement

Qualifications

• Diploma/degree in counselling, adolescent psychology, child and youth work.
• Course in Indigenous studies including Canadian history and education of Indigenous peoples.
• Minimum one year experience with Indigenous students or families in education or Indigenous settings.
• Preference will be given to candidates of Indigenous ancestry.

Responsibilities

• Provide long- and short-term support to Indigenous students and families as liaison.
• Consult with and refer students to community support agencies.
• Develop and evaluate culturally appropriate strategies to improve student success.
• Attend school-based team and interministerial meetings as required.
• Collect data to support accountability and audit requirements.
• Collaborate with Elders and Community Knowledge Holders to support students.
• Support transitions to post-secondary and cultural safety in schools.
• Provide transportation to students/parents as needed.
• Work with Youth Care Worker to support all students.
• Coordinate with Food Security programs and maintain an Indigenous Gathering Space.
• Participate in committees and undertake on-the-job training.

Skills

Communication

Oral & written

Indigenous knowledge

Independence

Problem solving

Confidentiality

Role modelling

Clerical tasks

Cross-cultural

Budgeting numeracy

Education

Counselling/Youth work degree

Indigenous studies course

Job description

POSTING: 4057827

JOB SUMMARY: An employee hired to provide direct and indirect support to teachers, administrators, parents, students, and communities, and to provide an Indigenous perspective to schools. The employee works in cooperation with Indigenous communities, the Director responsible for Indigenous Education, the School-Based Team, and other agencies and Ministries. The Indigenous Support Worker works with children of Indigenous ancestry and is responsible to the Indigenous Education Leadership and the designated school Principal.

POSITION : PERMANENT
HOURS OF WORK : 35/hrs week
LOCATION:TM Roberts Elementary
WAGE RATE : As per C.U.P.E Local 4165 Agreement$30.75

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

1. Valid British Columbia Driver's License
2. A diploma/degree from a recognized course of study at an accredited institute in counselling, adolescent psychology, child and youth work relevant to understanding and working with students of Indigenous ancestry.
3. A course(s) at a recognized post-secondary course or program in Indigenous studies including a thorough understanding of Canadian history and education of Indigenous peoples.
4. Minimum of one year experience working directly with children and families both in an educational setting and/or in an Indigenous community or organization or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preference will be given to candidates of Indigenous ancestry.

MUST HAVE THE ABILITY TO:

1. Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
2. Understands the history, needs, values, beliefs, worldviews and perspectives of Indigenous students, youth, families, and communities from which students come.
3. Be self-directed, flexible and work independently.
4. Solve problems and deal with conflict related to the position positively and productively.
5. Maintain confidentiality.
6. Serve as a role model for students.
7. Perform routine clerical tasks, including maintaining and using a computer database.
8. Work cross-culturally (Canada, Ktunaxa, Metis, Cree, etc).
9. Advocate effectively and respectfully.
10. Execute and understand functional numeracy for budgeting purposes.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Provide long- and short-term support to Indigenous students and their families, acting as a liaison between the school, the home, Indigenous communities, and agencies.
2. Consult with and refer Indigenous students and families to community support agencies.
3. Develop, implement, facilitate, and evaluate culturally appropriate strategies and programs that support and improve Indigenous student success at the home, school and/or community level.
4. Attend school-based team meetings, crisis intervention team meetings and/or case management and interministerial meetings as required.
5. Collate and collect data related to services provided to Indigenous students to support accountability measures, including supporting the Student Services Department with student data required for audit.
6. Facilitate and collaborate with Elders and other Community Knowledge Holders to provide student support.
7. Support the school-to-school, including post-secondary transitions of Indigenous students.
8. Support and maintain cultural safety for Indigenous students, families and community members.
9. Support and enhance classrooms in all grades and subject areas through the inclusion of Indigenous worldviews and perspectives.
10. Support the SD5 Indigenous Education Enhancement Agreement and Local Education Agreement goals and objectives.
11. Provide transportation to students and/or parents as necessary.
12. Work collaboratively with the Youth Care Worker while supporting all students under the Indigenous Education Support Services.
13. Coordination with Food Security Programs, which are provided to students through community agencies.
14. Provide and maintain an Indigenous Gathering Space.
15. Undertake additional on-the-job training, e.g., non-violent crisis intervention.
16. Contact parents/guardians of Indigenous students annually to obtain permission to provide Ministry-approved support services in language and culture, as well as other Indigenous support services.
17. Participate in school and District committees as required.
18. Other duties as assigned.

For more information about this posting, please contact Amanda Skene, HR Coordinator. [e-mail]