Program Education Lead

A Rewarding Career at CASA Mental Health
Are you passionate about creating hope for children, youth and families? At CASA Mental Health, every role contributes to our mission of building resilience and advocating for the children and families we serve. Guided by our vision of a community where all children and youth are empowered to thrive, we deliver holistic, evidence-informed and compassionate care across Alberta.

About CASA Classrooms
You will be a part of a team that works within community schools, right where children live and learn. The CASA Classrooms program provides individual and group therapy, psychiatric care, medication management and schooling according to each student’s individual need. CASA Classrooms are CASA’s new model for school-based mental health service. The program is delivered in partnership with the Government of Alberta, community partners and school divisions.

Job Details
Salary range: $78,345 - $116,459
Vacation: 20 days per year
Shift structure: Monday to Friday, 7.25 hours per day
Primary location: Grande Prairie
Union: Exempt
FTE: 1.0
Status: Permanent
Hybrid

About the Role
Reporting to the Program Manager, the Program Education Lead (PEL) functions as part of a collaborative leadership team, providing educational leadership, direction and support to classroom teams. The PEL provides leadership support to social-emotional learning and educational service delivery, staff supervision, performance management, facilitates staff development and training, advises and implements program development, evaluation and quality improvement. The PEL provides leadership direction to the Therapy Support Assistants, and incorporates educational evidence informed in best practice models into CASA Classrooms programming and practice.

The Program Education Lead will:

• Work within a collaborative leadership model with the Program Manager, Program Supervisor and the Director, Clinical (CASA Classrooms) to support the development of a high functioning clinical teams and educational teams within a school environment.
• Partner with the Program Supervisor to support the provision of evidence-informed practice in the program(s), supporting program staff to utilize a holistic and high-quality model combining a model of assessment and treatment planning that is Alberta Education curriculum-linked and inclusive of biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors for the patients and their family.
• In collaboration with the Program Manager and Program Supervisor, attend external meetings with the school board leadership teams, to enhance understanding, communication and functioning of CASA Classrooms.
• Conduct pre-referral consults with parents/schools/external agencies, to increase communication efficiencies when working with complex families.
• In collaboration with the Program Supervisor, support the program referral, intake and admission processes, based on program inclusion/exclusion criteria.
• Participate and deliver presentations to school staff for professional development in collaboration with Program Supervisor.
• Support connection experiences and liaise with key school contacts to support their understanding of student’s educational and classroom needs upon return.
• In collaboration with Program Manager and Program Supervisor, oversee staff scheduling and case management for direct reports.
• Support teams and Lead Community of Practice’s (COP) for teachers, and Therapy Support Assistants.
• Collaborate with teachers and Therapy Support Assistants on classroom support strategies, including IPP, Individual Behaviour Support Plans (IBSPs), learning plans, assessments (e.g., reading, writing, math) and create learner profiles.
• Work collaboratively within the Classrooms Provincial Leadership Team to support the ongoing development and maintenance of competency framework and program manual.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Previous teaching experience in providing differentiated instruction to students with diverse learning needs in a specialized learning environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of academic, behavioural and psychoeducational assessments.
• Experience, training or demonstrated knowledge of mental health and mental illness and how they manifest in the classroom.
• Knowledge of Response to Intervention (RTI) models and the benefits of social-emotional learning.
• Experience with classroom management, behaviour modification, mental health supports and IBSPs.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in all aspects of the discipline, the ability to monitor, supervise and educate on relevant acts and legislation.
• Ability to identify barriers, demonstrate analytic and problem-solving ability and facilitate solution development.
• Appreciation and flexibility of interprofessional approach to mental health issues.

Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor of education (B.Ed.) or a master of education (M.Ed.) from an accredited post-secondary institution.
• Current or previous Alberta Teaching Certificate.
• Permanent Professional Certification (PPC) preferred.
• Five years teaching and/or relevant experience.
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license and access to a vehicle.

Conditions of Employment

• A satisfactory Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and Child Intervention Check. This would be the financial responsibility of the successful candidate.
• Ability to pass and maintain Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification (training provided by CASA) as well as physical ability to perform all interventions.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid
• Travel between CASA Classrooms within geographical areas and to CASA organizational days as the role may require working out of multiple locations.

Your Well-Being Matters
At CASA, we know a career in mental health is more than just a job, it’s a calling. That’s why we take care of the people who make that care possible. We offer competitive benefits, opportunities for growth, and the support you need to rest, recharge and continue making a difference.

What We Offer:

• Employer-paid health and dental benefits, including $750 per paramedical practitioner and $2,000 annually in mental health services.
• Flexible Spending Account that allows you choose between Health Spending, Personal Spending, your RRSP or CASA Pension Plan.
• Defined contribution pension plan with generous employer match.
• Five paid wellness days plus a holiday break in December to spend time with loved ones.
• Paid time off for illness, bereavement, moving and education.
• Up to 12 weeks parental leave top-up so you can spend precious time with your new addition.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and a range of employee discounts.
• Ongoing learning and growth opportunities including annual training events such as Indigenous Learnings Day.
• Recognition and community-building through employee appreciation events, team celebrations and opportunities to connect across CASA locations.

Ready to make a difference in the lives of children and families across Alberta? Apply today.

Closing Date: Open until filled

Please quote the following competition number in your application materials 26-011