Health Promotion and Prevention Worker

New Westminster Schools Career Opportunity

HEALTH PROMOTION AND PREVENTION WORKER

About New Westminster Schools

New Westminster is located in the center of Metro Vancouver between the larger communities of Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, and Richmond. Our learners are approximately 7000 K-12 students in 12 schools (8 elementary, 3 middle and 1 secondary). In addition to the 12 schools in the district, New Westminster Schools is proud to have three Youth Alternate Programs, two Adult Learning Centres, and a Home Learners’ Program. New Westminster School District has a rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds and needs. Together, we are a caring, inclusive, and committed learning community dedicated to supporting each of our unique learners and a culture of inclusiveness.

About the position

The Health Promotion and Prevention Worker is responsible for developing and implementing a variety of wellness programs, training and workshops to support staff and students in the areas of mental health literacy, physical health, sexual health, social and emotional learning and trauma informed practice. The role will entail promoting all aspects of wellness with a specific focus on substance abuse prevention, healthy decision making, harm reduction, reducing stigma and where to get help. The responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:
Work in partnership with SD#40 and Fraser Health to develop and implement health promotion and prevention programming and submit a yearly plan and progress reports to the School District and Fraser Health.

Work with Principals, School-Based Teams, Counsellors, Child and Youth Care Workers and Aboriginal Support Workers as an active member of the Wellness Team at the Middle Schools, NWSS and the Alternate Programs.

Follow the Response to Intervention (RTI) structure of support: Provide universal supports for all students—e.g., classroom presentations, targeted supports for groups of students, and intensive supports for students who may be struggling with wellness and specifically substance use.

Work with community agencies (e.g., Fraser Health, Fraserside, MCFD, CYMH) to enhance support for students and refer students to outside agencies as necessary.

Work with the New Westminster Community Schools Program to support wellness activities for students and support parent/caregiver education events (e.g., Parents Night Out).

Develop and deliver after school and evening wellness sessions for staff, parents/caregivers and students through the Wellness Centre at NWSS.

Use Ministry of Education student wellness data (Student Learning Survey) to define areas of need.

Attend Child and Youth Care Worker meetings and Counsellor meetings as required.

Monitor program expenditures.

Support Middle schools, Senior Secondary School and Alternate Programs.Other duties as assigned.

**Qualifications**:
Bachelor’s Degree in Health, Social Work, or a related field.

A minimum of 2 years’ experience working with children and youth in the area of wellness and substance use. Knowledge of the public school system is an asset.

Ability to model, motivate and participate in leading healthy school environments.

Ability to work with a diversity of students and staff and honour and support inclusion and advocacy.

Experience with evidence-based substance abuse prevention programs and health promotion.

Highly motivated with demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to plan and implement initiatives.

Ability to work to deadlines effectively and work both independently and in a team.

Flexibility to adjust hours to support evening or weekend work as required.

Proficient using MS Office and other relevant computer software is required.

Full time 35 hours per week

Temporary assignment that may be shortened or extended pending incumbent's return

Application process

School District No. 40 (New Westminster) is an equal opportunity employer. Successful Completion of a Criminal Record Search is a legislated requirement.

About New Westminster Schools

Serving the community of New Westminster, the New Westminster School District provides high quality educational programs to over 7,000 students in a variety of learning environments. New Westminster is in the center of Metro Vancouver between the larger communities of Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, and Richmond. Despite its location the city is relatively small and has retained a strong sense of history and community. The total population is approximately 82,000 and expected to grow to 104,000 by 2041. District schools are in general, fully subscribed, and a steady increase in student enrolment is expected over the next ten years. New Westminster School District has a rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds and needs.

Together, we are a caring, inclusive, and committed learning community dedicated to supporting each of our unique learners.

The New Westminster School District recognizes and acknowledges the Qayqayt First Nation, a