Social Worker - Full Time - 35 Hours Per Week - 10 Month Position, Multiple Locations (1.0 FTE)

St. Clement's School; Brantford; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution is seeking a dedicated Indigenous Social Worker to join their team. This full-time role focuses on providing essential mental health services and support to Indigenous students and their families. The successful candidate will coordinate case management, offer counseling, and navigate community resources to enhance student engagement and well-being. With a commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, this position plays a vital role in addressing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous youth. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of students and communities, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work or related discipline preferred.
• 5+ years experience working with Indigenous youth preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health services and consultation to Indigenous students.
• Coordinate case management and support families in crisis.

Skills

Indigenous Social Work

Crisis Intervention

Mental Health Counseling

Communication Skills

Case Management

Cultural Competency

Planning and Organization

Education

Master’s Degree in Social Work

Indigenous Focused Field of Study

Tools

Word Processing Software

Communication Software

Internet and Email

Job description

Social Worker (Indigenous Specialization)

Full-Time Position (35 hours/week) working 10 Months per year

Effective: Immediately; Duration: Permanent

The Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board invites qualified applicants for a full-time (35 hours/week) Indigenous Social Worker position with duties to commence immediately. As a member of the Board’s Student Indigenous Education Services and Support Services Team, and reporting to the Superintendent Responsible for Indigenous Education, the Social Worker (Regulated Mental Health Worker) will be responsible for coordinating case management and providing consultation and short-term counselling primarily for individual Indigenous students and their families, or to small groups in the school, home, or community. The Position is subject to annual budget approval and/or annual system organization and Ministry funding continuance.

Duties will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide School Social Work duties as well as itinerant social work support to students of BHNCDSB with a specialization in supporting students of Indigenous ancestry and their families.
• Work from an Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive lens to help reduce barriers affecting student engagement and mental health, and support system level mental health initiatives.
• Have knowledge of the impacts of colonization on Indigenous people as a rights-holding group. Knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action and the impacts of colonization and residential schools.
• Provide face to face and virtual mental health services including consultation and short-term counseling to individual students (and families where appropriate), and groups. This includes crisis intervention, assessment, system navigation and threat risk assessment.
• Coordinate case management including family work/home visits (following Health and Safety Guidelines).
• Monitor student attendance and develop reengagement strategies to improve problematic attendance. May involve attendance at court proceedings relating to these issues.
• Act as a liaison between home and school by interpreting the resources and policies of the school for the family and mediating on issues of concern to the family or school personnel.
• Support and advocate for children with mental health needs and facilitate positive interactions between the family, the school, and the community.
• Foster safe, inclusive, and accepting school climates through the promotion of positive mental health and well-being strategies and support students and school staff through crisis and traumatic events.
• Provide education, information, guidance and consultation to school and system staff specific to supporting engagement and wellbeing of learners.
• Navigate pathways to care by assisting the student and their family in accessing community agencies (including Indigenous agencies/communities/supports) for ongoing support and emergency services.
• Act as liaison with outside agencies by interpreting the needs and interests of students and parents within the education system.
• Support students and school staff through transitional intervention initiatives.
• Develop and/or deliver evidence informed/based life promotion and prevention programs, training and other professional development activities as guided by the Board Mental Health Strategy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Candidates must possess:

• Successful completion of an Indigenous focused field of study in Social Work, or related discipline; Master’s Degree preferred;
• A minimum of five (5) years related work experience working with Indigenous youth with social, emotional, and mental health challenges preferred;
• Experience in working with Indigenous communities;
• Registration with a professional college (i.e. College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, etc.);
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to function effectively with administrators, staff, parents, students, outside agencies and others;
• Excellent planning and organizational skills;
• Ability to work independently and as an effective team member;
• Good abilities in a computerized environment, including word processing, communications software, internet and email;
• Experience leading in-service training or making public presentations is an asset;
• Experience providing culturally relevant and identity affirming psychoeducation and professional learning; and
• Experience adapting treatment modalities to be culturally relevant and identity affirming is required.