Job title: Student Parent Support Worker - Travailleuse de Soutien Parent/Élève
Status: Temporary Full-time until March 31, 2023
Hours: 35 hours/week
Compensation: $25.537/hr-$30.043/hr
Application deadline: until filled

Who are we?

Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre is an innovative community based, multi-service center. We strive to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve. We work in partnership with individuals, families, and communities to achieve their full potential, paying particular attention to those who are most vulnerable and at risk. PQCHC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. If at any stage in the selection process you require an accommodation due to a disability, please let us know the nature of the required accommodation.

Job Summary:

Student-Parent Support Workers (SPSW) are responsible for building relationships and facilitating ongoing communication with students, parents/guardians, and secondary school staff with the objective of supporting students’ academic success. In addition, the SPSW works in close collaboration with their teammates and under the direction of their Team Supervisor to prepare and deliver both virtual and in-person evening programming. This posting will be used to fill one regular full-time position but may also be used to create a pool for future regular and contract roles.

Responsibilities:

Relationships with Students, Parents/Guardians, and Schools and Community Partners

• Establish and maintain positive and supportive relationships with Pathways students, parents/guardians, and secondary school staff to ensure that students fully participate in the program and in school. This will be achieved by maintaining regular contact with students, parents/guardians, and school staff.
• Become familiar with the strengths and capacities, as well as the barriers and challenges, faced by Pathways students and, where needed, refer students to appropriate resources including academic, social, and emotional supports within the school system and in the broader community.
• Act as a liaison between students, parents/guardians, school staff and other service providers, and maintain strong communication between and among these parties, to support the student to meet their needs and achieve their goals.
• Ensure that relevant teammates and volunteers have the information they need to provide effective academic and social support to students, for example by sharing information about upcoming assignments and tests as well as students’ learning styles and learning needs.
• Ensure that Pathways students and their parents/guardians are aware of the particulars of the education system that could impact student success (i.e. graduation requirements, Academic vs. Applied courses and students’/parents’ rights and responsibilities in the education system) and advocating for students and their parents/guardians to school staff in decisions affecting the educational or social development of the student.
• Maintain knowledge of high school curriculum and common practices and procedures, as well as programs, services, and resources available to youth in Ottawa, including, if applicable, post-secondary programs and scholarships, and their applicable guidelines, processes and deadlines.
• Support students to attend school regularly and punctually by monitoring attendance and communicating regularly and effectively with school staff, parents/guardians, and other program staff.
• Ensure that Pathways students participate in Pathways academic and social activities as required or in alternative programming, where appropriate.

Program Delivery
Working in collaboration with their teammates and under the direction of the Team Supervisors, SPSWs will:

• Develop, coordinate, and deliver Pathways programming that is relevant to students’ age, needs and interests, including programing focused on: academic success, recreation/pro-social activities, skills development/leadership, employability, volunteering, career exploration and preparing for post-secondary.
• Ensure a safe and secure environment for students during program activities (i.e. behavior management, emergency procedures, etc.).
• Organize special activities and events designed to meet the needs of Pathways students and parents/guardians (i.e. student orientation, graduation celebration, parent engagement, etc.)
• Ensure programming meets the diverse needs and abilities of all students.
• Assist in compiling and maintaining resources for programming, including textbooks, school supplies, food and computer and other equipment.
• Liaise with Pinecrest-Queensway Employment Services (PQES) to coordinate access to their employment-related programs and services fo Pathways students.
• Assist in identifying and maintaining program partnerships with community organizations, local businesses, post-secondary education providers and other groups that can support Pathways students.
• Assist with volunteer orientation, training and appreciation activities and provide support to volunteers during programming, including facilitating relationship-building between volunteers and students.

Administration and Teamwork

• Take a lead role in the registration and re-registration process of students, including meeting with students and parents/guardians to explain the program and complete relevant forms.
• Collect student information such as school attendance, program attendance, credit summaries and other relevant data, and ensure files (electronic and paper) are kept up to date with this information.
• Document interactions with students, parents/guardians and school staff in accordance with program policies and established timelines.
• Provide financial supports to students and ensure that the distribution of these supports is effectively tracked, following established systems and processes.
• Participate in regular team and sub-team meetings to ensure that there is strong collaboration among all Pathways staff and program components.
• Assist with ongoing program evaluation and data collection efforts, as required.
• Other tasks as assigned

Qualifications

Education

• University degree in education, social work or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Professional Experience

• Experience working with high school age youth from diverse backgrounds is required.
• Experience planning and delivering high quality programming for youth is required.
• Experience in case management is preferred
• Experience in resource, service and support collaboration is preferred
• Experience working within high school settings preferred.

Key Competencies

• An understanding of the barriers and challenges faced by youth living in Ottawa Community Housing neighbourhoods or other culturally diverse, low-income communities.
• An understanding of and commitment to principles of diversity and inclusion, including anti-discriminatory practices.
• An understanding of the accessible resources, supports and services available to students and families.
• Experience delivering programming and offering support and resources for culturally diverse groups of youth and their families. Includes: tutoring, mentoring and financial supports.
• Knowledge of Ontario high school curriculum and common practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of approaches to providing support to youth with diverse educational challenges and needs, including issues of inequity.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, informal individual counseling techniques and mentorship.
• Knowledge of community and social service resources in Ottawa, particularly services for youth.
• Knowledge and experience documenting interactions with clients in case notes and incident reports.
• Knowledge of and experience with Motivational Interviewing and the Developmental Relationship Framework would be an asset.
• Depending on the needs of the clients, knowledge of the post-secondary education landscape in Ontario would be an asset, including:
• admissions standards, procedures and deadlines,
• financial considerations and supports including loans, scholarships and bursaries
• familiarity with the various local universities, colleges and private schools
• knowledge of the skilled trades and apprenticeship system, employment, training and other career-related opportunities available to youth

Linguistic Profile

• French, Arabic, Somali or other languages commonly spoken among our student population will be considered an asset.

Personal Suitability/Other Requirements

• A strong interest in working in a non-profit environment focused on youth, poverty reduction, and education.
• A collaborative mindset, contributing to a climate of professionalism and team-based success.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to express differences of opinion in a tactful and constructive manner.
• Effective organization, time-management, and administrative abilities.
• Strong self-initiative and ability to work autonomously.
• Must be willing to work on-site and remotely as required
• Must be available to work evenings and weekends as required.
• Regular access to a vehicle and a valid G driver’s license required.
• Considering the program’s focus on addressing the needs of low-income youth from diverse backgrounds and experiences, lived experience as a member of a marginalized group will be considered an asset.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $25.54-$30.04 per hour

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