School District 71 is an inclusive learning community that embraces diversity, fosters relationships and empowers all learners to have a positive impact on the world. Our mission is to work with our educational partners to inspire engaged, compassionate, resilient lifelong learners and cultivate a collaborative community together.

We invite applications for the position of:

Integrated Child & Youth Counselor

Effective July 1, 2022

Reporting and accountable to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools, the primary responsibilities of this new exempt position are to work as part of the multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional integrated child and youth (ICY) team to provide therapeutic counselling services and school liaison support for children, youth and families experiencing mild/moderate mental health needs, and to manage and oversee the Youth Peer Support Worker position.

This role includes outreach work with the community to support a cluster of Public, Independent and First Nations operated schools within the geographic region. This role is required to be available to perform time-sensitive work outside of regular (9-5) working hours as required, e.g., emergency counselling to children and youth and their families.

Responsibilities:

• Support the ICY team and schools served to mitigate and address factors which may precipitate mental health and substance use challenges for children and youth.
• Provide child/youth and family therapeutic counselling through a lens of intervention and/or prevention support. Monitor the progress of child/youth on their case load.
• Perform the functions of a manager of employees in the Youth Peer Support Worker positions as a part of the ICY teams including: 
  • Responsible for recruitment, selection and hiring of school-based employees assigned to the portfolio within the program
  • Provide orientation, coaching, training and mentoring to direct reports
  • Manage employee conduct related matters including conduct employee relations related investigations with the human resources department, issues discipline and discharge of the employee when necessary
  • Manage employee attendance including informal and formal discussions with employees when absenteeism is continuously impacting service delivery; provides consideration to all applicable leave of absence requests
  • Manage employees including routine informal performance feedback, the development of employee work plans, and conduct staff performance review and related development plans reviews.
  • Interpret and comply with applicable collective agreements, participate in the grievance and arbitration process, and consult with human resources to provide feedback on collective bargaining initiatives necessary to support to the program and community
  • Manage assigned budget including staffing budgets allocated to the portfolio
    
• Liaise between school staff and the ICY team, to represent and advocate for the needs of all children and youth (birth to 18) within the geographic area with a focus on prevention/early intervention wherever possible.
  
• Provide support for the Youth Peer Support Worker to participate as a core ICY team member.
• Attend and actively participate in integrated child and youth team meetings.
• Provide oversight and supervision of the Youth Peer Support Worker to provide peer-based mentoring and emotional support to youth ages 12-19 with the following:
  • to support systems navigation and resource distribution to youth;
  • in facilitating or co-facilitating groups for children, youth and families as needed;
  • to encourage membership in the school community.
• As needed and as appropriate, attend school-base team meetings, partner and community agency meetings.
• Facilitate multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional team decision making through a consensus building process.
• Deliver workshops and ongoing training to families, district staff and community agencies as determined by the ICY team.
• Lead counselling groups for children, youth and families as needed.
• Cultivate a collegial atmosphere with case supervision and case consultation.
• Work in collaboration with school and school district counsellors.
• Consult with and coordinate support services from outside agencies when needed (e.g., community services, RCMP).

• Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology, Educational Psychology, Psychology or a related field and must include a 300-hour supervised school-based practicum or equivalent.
• Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) credentials, and educational and training criteria to be a member of the BC Association of Clinical counsellors (BCACC). 
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience working with families, children, and youth in a clinical counselling setting.
• Experience in clinical and/or educational interventions with children, adolescents, and families (including crisis intervention).
• Experience leading and managing employees including hiring, coaching and mentoring, performance and attendance management, and applying corrective discipline preferably in a unionized environment.
• Recent training and successful experience in mental health initiatives and suicide prevention.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience liaising between community partners.
• In-depth knowledge of the psychosocial development of children and youth.
• Ability to abide by ethical principles and act with integrity, accountability, and judgment in the best interests of the child/youth, families, and available services.
• Ability to maintain professional currency and have strong knowledge and experience in counselling including substance use/addictions, harm reduction philosophy, principles and practices, mental health/mental illness, and concurrent and co-occurring disorders. 
• Knowledge of population-specific mental health and substance use care, including: ethno-culturally diverse and racialized communities, gender questioning/gender fluid youth, child/youth with disabilities or diverse abilities with behavioural diagnoses, neurodevelopmental disorders, or intellectual disabilities with co-occurring mental health needs.
• Demonstrated cultural agility to work respectfully, knowledgeably, and effectively with Indigenous peoples with an understanding of Indigenous worldviews and approaches to healing.
• Knowledge of social determinants of health, health inequalities and intersectional analyses.
• Demonstrated ability provide collaborative leadership with child/youth, teachers, families, administrators, and community agencies within a multi-disciplinary, multi-jurisdictional team environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion when sharing sensitive information to individuals on a need-to-know basis.
• Highly effective organizational skills and proven ability to prioritize work while simultaneously meeting the needs of a diverse caseload.

To Apply:

School District 71 welcomes diverse candidates and encourages applications from members of groups experiencing barriers to equity.  As an inclusive learning community we are committed to actively creating and fostering a culture of inclusivity where voices are heard, people are seen, and values are respected. We care about the uniqueness of our applicants, employees, students and community, and we do so in a safe space fueled by curiosity and acceptance. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process may contact: hr@sd71.bc.ca and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply in confidence by submitting a cover letter, resume with supporting documentation and three (3) professional references through www.makeafuture.ca/comox-valley. Only applicants with a complete application package may be considered.

This full time 12 month position is exempt from union membership. It includes a competitive annual salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

The job posting will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

The successful applicant will be subject to the terms of the Criminal Review Act.  We thank all applicants for considering School District 71 an employer of choice.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.  No agencies please.

Thank you for your interest in School District 71 (Comox Valley)

An Equal Opportunity Employer