Student Support Worker - Permanent

Government of Nova Scotia; Nova Scotia; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a compassionate and dedicated Student Support Worker to join their team. This role is crucial in providing direct support to at-risk youth, fostering a positive school environment, and engaging with families to enhance educational success. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of the challenges faced by African Nova Scotian learners and will work collaboratively with educators and community members. This position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of students and contribute to their academic and personal growth. If you are passionate about education and community service, this is the perfect role for you.

Qualifications

• Must be a person of African descent with relevant education and experience.
• 3-5 years working with at-risk youth is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support to students and assist with attendance monitoring.
• Liaise with parents and facilitate educational goal setting.
• Create a positive school climate and develop community linkages.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Mediation Skills

Conflict Resolution Skills

Organizational Skills

Team Collaboration

Knowledge of Educational Issues

Knowledge of Societal Issues

Education

Grade 12 Academic

NSCC Certificate or Diploma in Human Services

Undergraduate Degree in Social Sciences or Social Work

Job description

South Shore Regional Centre for Education

The South Shore Regional Centre for Education (SSRCE) practices the culturally responsive pedagogy approach in providing an inclusive, diverse, equitable, safe and healthy education that supports learning and success both personally and academically to the 59,000 residents of Lunenburg and Queens Counties, an area of 5,250 square kilometres and a total of 23 schools.

Regional Centres for Education have Employment Equity Policies and/or processes and we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups, particularly people of African Nova Scotian, African Canadian and African ancestry and Mi’kmaw/Indigenous ancestry. Please ensure that you complete the self-identification portion on the position application.

Position: Student Support Worker

Reports to: Coordinator of African Nova Scotia Services

Employee Group: NSGEU

Rate of Pay: $26.99 to $29.74 per hour, plus vacation pay

Start Date: Effective Immediately - Permanent

Application Deadline: April 1, 2025 at 11:59pm (AST)

Qualifications:

Requirements for a Student Support Worker include a person of African descent, a specified minimum level of formal education *, experience working with and knowledge of educational and societal issues as they relate to the African Nova Scotian learners, certain personal qualities, and technical skills. In addition to these general qualifications, it is recommended that the successful candidate have valid drivers licence and a vehicle or access to a vehicle.

* Grade 12 Academic, plus 3-5 years experience working with at-risk youth; or NSCC Certificate or Diploma in Human Services, Community Service or Youth Worker Program, or Undergraduate Degree in Social Sciences or Social Work

Characteristics:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the issues and concerns facing at-risk youth
• Have excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrate knowledge of educational and societal issues as they relate to African Nova Scotian learners
• Demonstrate skills in mediation and conflict resolution
• Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team involving students, teachers, parents/guardians, support agencies, and the surrounding communities
• Have the ability to work and to follow through with assigned tasks independently
• Have the willingness to attend community meetings
• Have the ability and desire to engage in continuing education and skills upgrading
• Have the ability to utilize current technology
• Have the ability to maintain confidentiality as the norm in all issues related to student, parents and school
• Have the ability to provide an atmosphere of respect by applying the principles of Race Relations, Cross-Cultural Understanding and Human Rights
• Have the ability to monitor, assess, evaluate and report on the progress of African Nova Scotian youth

Task Dimensions:

Although the specific duties of a Student Support Worker will vary to reflect the uniqueness of school regions and the environment of their school communities, there are some common core duties performed by a Student Support Worker. These common core duties have been grouped into four main strands: Direct Student Support, Parent/Guardian Liaison, School Climate, External/ Community Linkages.

The responsibilities listed below under each of these strands are not meant to be exhaustive; rather they provide an outline of the major responsibilities Student Support Workers may perform. As well, additional duties may be assigned by the RCH Coordinator/Coordinator of African Nova Scotian Services and/or the principal as needed.

Provides direct student support service:

• Monitoring student attendance (punctuality, truancy, illness) and relay relevant information to the home
• Acting as a positive role model with respect to professionalism and involvement with students in school and community activities
• Assisting students with developing organizational and study skills
• Working closely with students to develop strategies to enhance self-esteem and success in school in a variety of settings
• In collaboration with staff, assisting students and parents with educational goal setting by exploring appropriate course selections and the various paths that facilitate a successful school completion, as well as post-secondary career and education options
• In consultation with principal, establishing links with feeder/receiving schools to provide smooth transition for students
• Working with and encouraging students to monitor their assignment, tests and project schedules and advise teachers when there are concerns
• Encouraging and supporting student participation in extra-curricular activities
• Maintaining comprehensive records of all student contacts
• Keeping apprised of student disciplinary difficulties in order to take action in an attempt to avoid the need for suspension or expulsion. In the case of suspension, ensure steps are taken to minimize its impact on academic performance
• Performing other assigned duties which are within the scope of the mandate of the Student Support Worker Program as assigned by the Principal, and/or RCH Coordinator/Coordinator of African Nova Scotian Services
• Acting as an advocate for students when necessary

Liaises with parents/guardians:

• In collaboration with staff, assisting students and parents with educational goal setting by exploring appropriate course selections and the various paths that facilitate a successful school completion, as well as post-secondary career and education options
• Facilitating open communication among ANS students, parents/guardians, staff, and school personnel to meet students’ needs
• Establishing and maintaining as necessary personal contact with parents/guardians by telephone or through home visits (Refer to Regional Protocol for Home Visits)
• Encouraging parents/guardians to attend school-wide parent-teacher days and accompany parents, if necessary or when requested during parent-teacher meetings
• Inviting parents/guardians to school events and encourage them to volunteer in school if possible, i.e., School Advisory Committee

Creates a positive school climate for students:

• Identifying and recommending culturally relevant, anti-bias and cross-cultural resources materials for use within the Student Support Workers Program (Refer to Bias Evaluation Instrument)
• Performing other assigned duties which are within the scope of the mandate of the Student Support Worker Program as assigned by the Principal, and/or RCH Coordinator/Coordinator of African Nova Scotian Services
• Maintaining regular communication with the in-school designate/RCH Advisor in assigned school
• Participating in cultural awareness/sensitivity sessions for students under the direction of RCH Coordinator/Coordinator of African Nova Scotian Services

Develops external linkages with the community:

• Keeping up to date information on external educational support initiatives (such as target population support programs Cultural Academic and Enrichment Program (CAEP), scholarships and awards, cultural activities, etc.)
• Performing other assigned duties within the scope of the mandate of the Student Support Worker Program as assigned by the Principal, and/or RCH Coordinator/Facilitator for African Nova Scotian students
• Informing school staff of events and celebrations occurring in the students’ communities and encourage school staff to participate in these events
• Attending community events relevant to the Student Support Worker Program mandate

Complies with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations.

Performs other related duties as required.

BACKGROUND/SECURITY CHECKS:

The South Shore Regional Centre for Education requires all newly hired employees to provide a satisfactory Criminal Record / Vulnerable Sector Check and a Nova Scotia Child Abuse Register Check. We will accept checks completed within the last 3 months.

Regional Office based positions require travel and candidates may be required to provide a valid driver's license. Some school-based positions also require travel and candidates may be required to provide a valid driver's license.

Thank you for your interest in the South Shore Regional Centre for Education; however, only those shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.