DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD OF NIAGARA
INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR:
Youth Counsellor – Indigenous Student Well-Being
The DSBN is a supportive, innovative community that works towards doing what’s best for kids and helps every student achieve success. Whether you’re in the classroom, on the playing fields, in the office or in the cafeteria, we know it’s the dedicated staff who bring our mission to life – you are what creates a child’s school experience, and contribute to students reaching their full potential.
We proudly serve over 40,000 students across almost 100 elementary and secondary schools in Niagara, located between Lake Erie in the South and Lake Ontario to the North.
Applications through applytoeducation.com are invited for this position from properly qualified employees within the system presently covered under the scope of the District School Board of Niagara Office, Clerical and Technical Group, and shall be directed to the attention of Human Resource Services. Resumes from applicants outside the bargaining unit will not be accepted for this posting. Applications must be done via Apply to Education.
POSITION: One (1) Permanent Position – Youth Counsellor – Indigenous Student Well-Being
LOCATION: Working within the DSBN Elementary and Secondary Schools
RATE OF PAY: $63,544.01-$67,141.81 annually
SCHEDULE: 35 hours per week - 10 Month Position (Working from September to June)
Position Summary:
The successful applicant will provide relationship-based support to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students in elementary, secondary, and alternative education settings, with a focus on promoting belonging, well-being, engagement, and student success. Working collaboratively with school administrators, school staff, the Indigenous Student Well-Being Team, families, and community partners, the Indigenous Youth Counsellor will support students through culturally responsive, strengths-based, restorative, and trauma-informed approaches.
This position will primarily support students who identify as Indigenous in schools identified as priorities across the District School Board of Niagara, as well as students enrolled in the Mnoomin Indigenous Secondary Program. The successful applicant will contribute to creating culturally affirming learning environments that honour Indigenous identities, ways of knowing, and community connections while supporting students in achieving their personal, social, emotional, and educational goals.
Qualifications:
- Must hold a Child and Youth Care Diploma (CAAT) or qualifications deemed equivalent by the Board;
- A valid Ontario Driver’s License with the ability to travel to schools with in DSBN;
- Demonstrates experience working and supporting with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children, youth, families, or communities, with knowledge of culturally responsive practices and community-based approaches to supporting Indigenous student success.
- Demonstrates the ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, possesses strong organizational and time management skills;
- Demonstrates experience with successfully supporting students who have social and /or emotional difficulties in educational programs in both the elementary and secondary panels;
- Is an effective communicator (both written and verbal);
- Preference will be given to candidates who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit and bring lived experience, cultural knowledge, and strong relationships within Indigenous communities.
In addition, the successful applicant must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the following:
- Building trusting, culturally responsive relationships with Indigenous students that foster belonging, positive identity, well-being, engagement, and success in school.
- Applying knowledge of Indigenous histories, perspectives, and the impacts of colonization through culturally affirming, strengths-based, restorative, and trauma-informed practices.
- Collaborating effectively with Administrators, school staff, Indigenous Student Well-being staff, families, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community partners to coordinate meaningful supports for students.
- Providing responsive, relationship-based interventions that strengthen emotional regulation, resilience, attendance, engagement, successful transitions, and student success.
- Promoting student voice, identity, self-determination, and connection to Indigenous cultures, traditions, languages, and community.
- Demonstrating strong communication, professional judgment, reflective practice, and the ability to respond flexibly to the evolving needs of students, families, schools, and communities.
- Maintaining appropriate documentation, confidentiality, and professional standards while demonstrating an ongoing commitment to reflective practice and continuous learning.
Application Process:
- All applications are accepted through ApplyToEducation
- Applications packages should include:
Selection Process:
- We thank all the candidates for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The District School Board of Niagara is committed to equity and inclusion in the recruitment and hiring of its employees, who reflect the diversity of our community and students we serve. We encourage and welcome submissions from candidates from diverse backgrounds to build a supportive and inclusive workplace. DSBN welcomes applications from: Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, women, persons with visible and non-visible disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. The DSBN is committed to Achieving Success Together and recognizes that increasing the diversity of its workforce supports this objective.
DSBN will make interview and employment accommodations during the selection process, based on any of the human rights protected grounds. Please notify us in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs. Applicants are thanked for making known their interest in working for the District School Board of Niagara. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.
Conditions of Employment:
- Agreement to comply with the Board’s policies, procedures and code of conduct;
- Complete an annual offence declaration process.
Reason for posting: New position.
Additional Information:
In accordance with Section 29(2) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, this is to advise that the information you provide on this form is collected under legal authority of the Education Act, and will be used as necessary for the recruitment, selection and employment purposes of the Board.
The DSBN is committed to equity for all students and staff, and to deliver quality education through a qualified workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Upon request, we will provide reasonable accommodations in the hiring process to support applicants with disabilities.
Personal information on this form is collected, used and disclosed in accordance with the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.2, as amended and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. R.S.O 1990, c.M. 56, as amended and will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility of the above-noted position and any similar or related purpose(s). Questions about this collection, use and disclosure should be directed to the Freedom of Information Coordinator, District School Board of Niagara, 191 Carleton Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7P4 905-641-1550.
DSBN does not utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the screening, assessment, or selection of applicants.
Land Acknowledgement:
The land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum agreement. Today this gathering place is home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples acknowledging this reminds us that our great standard of living is directly related to the resources and friendship of Indigenous people.
