1.0 Fte, Full-time, Permanent Attendance Cousellor

Job Posting

For OSSTF Support Staff

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

**TITLE**:
**Attendance Counsellor
- Case Management**

**REPORTS TO**:
Manager of Mental Health

**Location**:
To be Determined - Marathon - Manitouwadge Region

- This position will primarily serve the Manitouwadge and Marathon areas; however, caseloads may require travel to other regions within the Superior-Greenstone District School Board.

**SUMMARY**:
The Attendance Counsellor implements provincial attendance policies and supports the school board with procedures outlined in the enrollment registrar. This position is designed to support students and families identify and cope with issues that affect attendance and improve well-being.

- **RESPONSIBILITIES** (This is not an exhaustive list)
- Complete appropriate documentation related to attendance management procedures outlined in the enrolment registrar and SGDSB Attendance Handbook
- Support school principals and school staff with the understanding and implementation of attendance procedures.
- Advocate and promote effective relationships between the home, school and the community
- Initiate appropriate procedures and processes to improve school attendance that will be in the best interest of the student
Perform other related duties as assigned.

**SKILL**
- Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in Social Work; Clinical/School Psychology, or 3-year diploma in Social Service Work, Child and Youth Worker, Social Work or other related specialization, or combination of experience, education and training in the education or social service sector as determined by the Manager of Mental Health
- Preferences given to individuals who are registered with a governing college or regulator body such as Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or college governing mental health professionals;
- Extensive clinical experience with families and youth and the ability to work within a school district setting, across the tiers of mental health intervention (promotion, prevention, intervention, crisis and system navigation);
- A School Attendance Counsellor Certificate is an asset
- A broad range of common communication skills, including exchanging complex information inside and outside the workplace. Some specialized communication skills such as handling interactions/communications of a sensitive nature, careful listening, providing feedback and support sensitively, controlling reactions, concealing feelings, persuading and motivating others.
- Develop and foster positive working relationships with all stakeholders
- Operate equipment such as computer, keyboard, printer, multi-function photocopier, facsimile machine, multiple line telephone, scanner, headset.Handle minor/routine mechanical breakdowns and problems

**Additional Competencies**
- Open to learning, sharing ideas and accepting feedback
- Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to multitask and manage timelines
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including presentation skills when required
- Display excellent interpersonal skills while building positive relationships
- Quality of work meets a high standard of accuracy and attention to detail
- Take the initiative and make decisions based on judgement, facts and alternatives
- Foster collaborative relationships and provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders
- Bilingualism (English/French) is considered an asset

- **EFFORT**
- Frequent demand from lack of control over work due to a combination of interruptions to work flow/pace from others, unpredictably changed work demands, multiple schedules or deadlines, requirement to extend hours of work to meet work demands and a large number of sources of work demands
- Slightly fatiguing physical effort on a frequent basis such as keyboarding, sitting and driving
- Frequent mental effort required when dealing with students/parents, administration and appearing at court

- **WORKING CONDITIONS**

- Provide case management for complex families, which includes appropriate assessment of needs, advocacy and liaison services, referral to community based supports, supporting families with documentation and paperwork and coordination of case conferences.
- Adhere to regulations for duty to report
- Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the laws regarding Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy regarding records, information and disclosures by students
- Attend court proceedings when required
- Develop, and implement health promotion interventions relating to mental health
- Coordinate and deliver board wide initiatives to promote positive attendance
- Ensure safe keeping and storage of sensitive confidential information
- Provide brief or ongoing support to students and families regarding attendance and life skill development
- Collaborate with school teams to support students through a multi-disciplinary approach to assist students in improving att