Student & Family Advocate (SFA) / Success Coach

Board of Trustees of Pembina Hills School Division; Alberta; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a Student and Family Advocate to support students' social and emotional needs. This role involves counseling, crisis intervention, and collaboration with families and staff to foster student success. The successful candidate will work across multiple schools, focusing on holistic support for students facing various challenges. This full-time position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact in the community.

Qualifications

• Extensive practical experience in social work required.
• Training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide social work services including counseling and interventions.
• Advocate for students’ needs and support communication between home and school.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop safety plans.

Skills

Counseling

Collaboration

Crisis Intervention

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work

Job description

Student & Family Advocate (SFA) / Success Coach

Join to apply for the Student & Family Advocate (SFA) / Success Coach role at Pembina Hills School Division

Student & Family Advocate (SFA) / Success Coach

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Student & Family Advocate (SFA) / Success Coach role at Pembina Hills School Division

Pembina Hills School Division (PHSD) is seeking a Student and Family Advocate (Social Worker) (0.5 FTE) / Success Coach (0.5 FTE) to support students' social and emotional needs. This full-time position (1.0 FTE) will start on August 25, 2025.

Position Description

The Student and Family Advocate will provide support across multiple schools, focusing on creating a supportive environment for student success, fostering communication between home and school, and adopting a holistic approach. Responsibilities include providing social work services such as counseling, interventions, resource referral, crisis intervention, threat assessment, attendance support, and program development. The role involves working directly with students and families experiencing emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges in various settings.

The Success Coach component involves providing supportive counseling to students and families at Fort Assiniboine School and Pembina Hills Outreach Schools in Barrhead and Westlock. The successful candidate should be a self-directed team player interested in collaborative support roles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with extensive practical experience.
• Registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers.
• Training and experience in counseling, preferably with knowledge of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Therapy, and working with trauma-affected students.
• Experience with student attendance is an asset.

The Successful Candidate

The candidate must be willing to work collaboratively, with hours of 5 days/week, 7.5 hours/day, aligned with the school calendar. Duties include:

• Providing consultation, targeted interventions, counseling, and parent coaching.
• Advocating for students’ needs with staff and parents.
• Serving as a liaison between home and school, supporting communication and participation.
• Identifying family strengths and collaboratively setting goals.
• Conducting risk assessments, developing safety plans, and follow-up for students with self-harm or suicidal ideation.
• Working within a multidisciplinary team to meet students’ educational, social, emotional, and communication needs.
• Referring and navigating community resources.
• Providing staff training and mental health presentations.

Contact for Further Information

Rob McGarva, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services at 780-674-8506
Kendra Seatter, Assistant Director of Student Services at 780-307-0502

This competition closes once a suitable candidate is found.

Additional Information

Employees must manage inherent workplace risks. Staff are responsible for reporting unknown risks and cooperating in maintaining a safe environment.

Application Process

For assistance, contact Simplication at 1-877-900-5627. Your resume should include references with permission for contact. An original Criminal Record Check (including Vulnerable Sector, dated within one year), Intervention Record Check, and verification of education and experience are required before employment.

We thank all applicants; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.