Pass - Temporary Indigenous Student Support Worker

**Job Posting**

**PASS - Temporary Indigenous Student Support Worker**

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board serves over 38,000 learners and provides services to students in 50 schools (Kindergarten to Grade 12 and adult learners) across the Waterloo Region.

The Board conducts intentional recruitment and selection as it seeks to achieve a state of greater equity for employees and students and to diversify its workforce.

**General Description of Duties**:
The purpose of the Indigenous Student Support Worker is to provide comprehensive, culturally responsive support to Indigenous students to improve their well-being, academic achievements, and help affect systems change. The Student Support Worker will support Indigenous students by acting as a mentor and advisor, collaborating with school based and other staff and the broader community in responding to individual and systemic barriers (e.g., academic, mental health, justice); identifying and addressing individual barriers to engagement, learning and well-being; and facilitating access and referrals to academic supports and community resources to provide an integrated support system for the students and to support students to be able to thrive in the framework of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations.

The Indigenous Student Support Worker will report to the Superintendent of Learning for Indigenous Education and will be part of a collaborative team for any Ministry reporting and accountability.
- Collaborate with school administrators, teachers, families, system staff, meet regularly with the WCDSB Indigenous Consultant and community resources to identify systemic barriers and develop meaningful solutions to support the engagement well-being and support high expectations for students.
- Maintain open communication with participating students and their caregivers/families, as well as relevant community members about the progress and needs of the students
- Knowledge of the Human Rights Code, Employment Standards Act, Safe & Accepting Schools, and Equity & Inclusive Education
- Establish the protective factors necessary for participating students to thrive, including integrating and linking new programs and supports to existing ones
- Engage with schools to create a welcoming environment for all Indigenous students, parents, and community members
- Facilitate access and referral to academic supports and community resources to provide integrated support systems for Indigenous students
- Build positive and trusting relationships with Indigenous students through a strength-based approach
- Act as mentor, trusted advisor, and advocate for participating Indigenous students
- Engage Indigenous students and their families by affirming their identity and culture through culturally responsive and relevant practices
- Build/establish and maintain relationships with various service agencies serving the community
- Conduct individual in-person as well as virtual sessions via video conferencing on an as-needed basis with students and monitor progress and performance
- Act as a mentor and an advisor to students and play an essential role as an advocate for them with teachers, other school staff, parents/guardians and community members
- Explore career possibilities with students and support their pursuit of career interests
- Support students’ academic progress through tutoring, course planning, peer mentoring and role modeling
- Establish relationships with various service agencies serving the Indigenous community
- Prepare reports and monitor program progression and outcomes in collaboration with Indigenous Consultant

**Minimum Requirements**:

- Identify as an Indigenous Community Member
- Post secondary education (University degree or College diploma) in Indigenous education, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Social Service, Education
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to meet program needs
- A valid driver’s license and a good driving record and willingness to travel throughout the community and to work flexible hours

**Desirable Assets**:

- Lived experience deeply rooted in Indigenous communities
- Understanding of Indigenous history, colonization and the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action
- Familiarity with Indigenous world view and cultural practices
- Awareness of local community resources and the ability to support students/families in accessing and navigating the resources
- Demonstrated ability to be a mentor, advisor and advocate for students
- Excellent organizational, collaboration and communication skills
- Deep understanding of systemic barriers and challenges that Indigenous students face in the education system and in the wider community
- Understanding of the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations
- Demonstrates sound judgment and sensitivity, and ability to build rapport with various stakeholders
- Experience in handling contentious issues with sensitivity, confidentiality, tact and discretion