Indigenous Education Support Worker

School District 5 Southeast Kootenay; Cranbrook; On-site; CAD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

School District 5 Southeast Kootenay is seeking an Indigenous Support Worker to support Indigenous students, families and communities in Cranbrook, maintaining Indigenous perspectives within school culture.

The role coordinates with Indigenous Education Leadership and the school Principal, engaging with community knowledge holders and youth services to promote student success and cultural safety.

Qualifications

• Diploma/degree in counselling, adolescent psychology, or youth work relevant to Indigenous students.
• Course(s) in Indigenous studies including Canadian history and education of Indigenous peoples.
• Minimum of one year experience working with children and families in educational settings or Indigenous communities.

Responsibilities

• Provide long- and short-term support to Indigenous students and families, acting as a liaison between school, home, Indigenous communities and agencies.
• Consult with and refer Indigenous students and families to community support agencies.
• Develop and evaluate culturally appropriate strategies to support Indigenous student success.

Skills

Communication

Self-direction

Cross-cultural awareness

Confidentiality

Advocacy

Numeracy for budgeting

Role model

Education

Counselling/Adolescent psychology/Youth work diploma or degree

Indigenous studies course including Canadian history

BC Driver's License

Job description

POSTING: 4051400 R5

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

Cranbrook

WAGE RATE

As per C.U.P.E Local 4165 Agreement $30.75

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Valid British Columbia Driver’s License
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

MANDATORY ABILITIES

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

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• 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.
• Consult with and refer Indigenous students and families to community support agencies.
• 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.
• Attend school-based team meetings, crisis intervention team meetings and/or case management and interministerial meetings as required.
• 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.
• Facilitate and collaborate with Elders and other Community Knowledge Holders to provide student support.
• Support the school-to-school, including post-secondary transitions of Indigenous students.
• Support and maintain cultural safety for Indigenous students, families and community members.
• Support and enhance classrooms in all grades and subject areas through the inclusion of Indigenous worldviews and perspectives.
• Support the SD5 Indigenous Education Enhancement Agreement and Local Education Agreement goals and objectives.
• Provide transportation to students and/or parents as necessary.
• Work collaboratively with the Youth Care Worker while supporting all students under the Indigenous Education Support Services.
• Coordination with Food Security Programs, which are provided to students through community agencies.
• Provide and maintain an Indigenous Gathering Space.
• Undertake additional on-the-job training, e.g., non-violent crisis intervention.
• 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.
• Participate in school and District committees as required.
• Other duties as assigned.