Special Services Counsellor - Temporary- 1.0 FTE - 2024/2025 School Year

PSSP Temporary Position for the 2024 / 2025 School Year

POSITION TITLE : Special Services Counsellor - Temporary (LTO)

LOCATION : Servicing Area Schools in Northeast; Vankleek Hill, Alexandria. Home Base : Tagwi Office

REPORTS TO : Chief Psychologist / Clinical Manager

SALARY : $74,681 - $90,426; commensurate with experience

FTE : 1.0 (35 hours / week)

TERM : Start date; Immediately

End date; June 27, 2025 (inclusive)

JOB SUMMARY :

Under the supervision of the Chief Psychologist, and the direction of the Superintendent of Special Education, Student Mental Health and Wellness, the incumbent provides a valuable link between students, schools, families, and outside community partners.

The role provides identification, assessment, early intervention and crisis intervention, referral and continued support on all issues that may impact upon student success.

The incumbent manages a complex caseload within multiple locations and performs the duties of Attendance Counsellors as outlined in the Education Act, Ministry Regulations and Memos.

QUALIFICATIONS :

Education & Experience :

University degree in the field of Social Work from a university of recognized standing. A minimum of 5 years related work experience in a community agency providing counselling and / or support services to children and families preferably in a role providing legally mandated services.

SKILLS REQUIRED :

Proven ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of individuals.

Proven ability to work as an integral part of a team with students, Board personnel, families and community collaterals.

Demonstrated ability to perform in-depth assessments to formulate, implement and monitor complex case plans in collaboration with all relevant parties.

Demonstrated interpersonal skills with a strong client and quality service focus.

Ability to liaise and collaborate with community collaterals.

Knowledge and experience in applying clinical interventions with children and families.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Proven crisis intervention skills (e.g., suicide intervention)

Conversant with pertinent acts and regulations and their amendments e.g., Education Act; CFSA.

Excellent organizational and case management skills.

Ability to work under pressure, set priorities and meet deadlines.

Ability to engage community partners in constructive problem-solving.

High degree of confidentiality, diplomacy and discretion is essential.

Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office tools, including TEAMS for remote service delivery and communication.

Ability to travel to various schools and worksites throughout the day, sometimes under short notice.

BRIEF LIST OF DUTIES :

Provide multi-level service delivery to students (exhibiting mental health, behavioural and attendance concerns), families, schools and communities, to support student achievement, through the consultation, assessment, counselling, and referral services including to :

Work with students and their families in their home environments to identify and assess

barriers to access (education, social service, agency support).

Act as case manager to coordinate resource planning for high risk students and families and provide on-going case management for high risk students that incorporates a diverse range of interventions with an educational perspective.

Liaise and collaborate with agencies to plan interventions for students and families.

Mediate, sometimes under difficult and emotionally charged situations, with stakeholders and clients.

Respond to various levels of crisis situations in the middle of regularly scheduled days

varying from consultation to front line suicide intervention.

Act in a consultant capacity as a member of Student Support and Student Success Teams

in schools.

Assume a primary role within the Student Support Services department in the coordination and implementation of the Crisis Response Team and respond to emergency or crisis situations (i.

e., self-injury, abuse, mental health concerns).

Initiate and facilitate appropriate alternative education placements. Provide ongoing support and monitoring of placements (e.g., ABLE, Section 23, etc).

Participate as a member of Education and Community Partnerships Program Admissions

Committee and treatment teams.

Act as liaison between school and home by i) communicating to the family the resources of the School / Board support services and community agencies and ii) as an agent of the UCDSB, communicate the concerns of the child and the family to the school in order to provide maximum educational opportunities for the individual student.

Assume primary responsibility for resolving severe attendance cases in accordance with the duties of Attendance Counsellors as outlined in the Education Act, Ministry Regulations and Memos.

Provide in-service training in a wide range of social work issues particularly related to

children’s mental health.

Remain current with policies and procedures of the Board, and related legislation that are

pertinent to the role.

Performs other duties as required

Occasionally works irregular work hours. Ability to adapt to different work environments (e.g., office, school) including isolated areas (e.g., home visitations).

All applicants will be considered, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted. No late submissions will be considered.

UCDSB reserves the right to close this competition early should a suitable candidate be found.

The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) is committed to equity in employment. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to establishing a qualified workforce that is reflective of the diverse population we serve.

The UCDSB is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities . If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.

This would be facilitated upon receiving an interview and would be done by contacting Human Resources at [email protected] .