Success Coach

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is one of the largest school divisions in Alberta, serving the education needs of approximately 17,750 students in 43 schools. Every day, the staff and students of EIPS are encouraged to pursue opportunities to grow and discover their passions in life. We pride ourselves on providing staff and students with the tools to achieve success by offering dynamic programming, current resources, and practical professional learning opportunities.

Elk Island Public Schools is recruiting a term certain Success Coach at Next Step Sherwood Park. Social Work diploma and expertise with youth ages 14-20 preferred. Experience working with at-risk students including self-harming, addictive, or drug and alcohol related behaviors is an asset. Experience with Trauma Informed practice and working alongside multiple community agencies to support at-risk students and families is required. Experience with Outreach alternative learning environment is an asset.

• Commencing January 5, 2026 to June 23, 2026
• 32.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday – 6.5 hours per day)
• Open to Internal and external applicants
• Click on "Sign in With Employee Email" to be considered an Internal Applicant
• EIPS offers a comprehensive benefit package

Next Step Sherwood Park provides flexible outreach programming for grades 8 to 12 students with 11 teaching staff and three support staff. The school is located in Sherwood Park, AB.

Next Step is a supportive, alternative school for students who require a non-traditional, individualized program. Located in community-based sites in Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan and Vegreville, Next Step provides students with:

• a safe, comfortable environment;
• flexible, individual schedules;
• the opportunity to take responsibility for their own education and to experience success; and
  excellent teachers and encouraging and respectful staff.

The Success Coach works to maximize student and school engagement, support academic success and enhance social, emotional and physical well-being for junior and senior high students. The Success Coach facilitates connections between family, school and community service organizations. The position provides support to students and families in setting goals, planning strategies, integrating interventions, and arranging resources that will help students be successful in school and in the community. The Success Coach also provides FNMI support services for students, families and staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Student and Family Support

• Ensure all students and families feel welcome and supported at school.
• Build trusting and meaningful relationships with students and help them identify personal strengths and resources to support positive change.
• Enhance communications among family, school and community service providers.
• Monitor student attendance and progression in course completion and provide academic support as directed by the instructional team.
• Advocate for students with the school and community to build a circle of support for participating students and school staff.
• Assist individuals and small groups of students in the areas of wellness and personal resiliency through informal coaching and goal setting.
• Support families and caregivers in their efforts to get their youth to attend school and succeed academically and socially.
• Collaborate and consult with school staff and families to support referral processes to outside agencies.
• Serve as a resource to families to provide information, facilitate referrals, and hold workshops.

School Support and Intervention

• Participate in the assessment of students' emotional, behavioural, social, and academic needs.
• Advise school staff of relevant research information and strategies for at risk students.
• Collaborate with school staff including administrators, teachers, and counselors, to develop plans and strategies to address students' social, emotional, and developmental needs and to monitor progress.
• Implement strategies including agency referrals to address student needs through planned daily activities and workshops for skill and emotional development.
• Work with individual students and small groups of students in the areas of wellness and personal resiliency through informal coaching and goal setting.
• Engage and communicate with families, students, school staff, and community resource professionals to support student well-being and report on their progress.
• Maintain accurate and up to date case notes and records of services provided including agency referrals.
• Ensure student and staff records are secure and kept confidential as per privacy legislation.

Community Collaboration

• Build and maintain connections with community agencies in order to facilitate referrals and access to services.
• Promote awareness of community agencies and their services.
• Demonstrate and model genuine appreciation for, and understanding of, protocol, discretion, and professionalism.
• Organize school and community FNMI cultural activities and events.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Minimum Required: Diploma in Social Work or a related human service field.

Preferred: Degree in Social Work or a related human service field.

Experience

Minimum Required: 1-year related experience working with youth in the human service field.

Preferred: Experience working in an educational environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Minimum Required:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and de-escalation skills.
• Solid understanding of youth culture, belief in a strengths-based, solution-focused approach.
• Ability to successfully work in a multi-disciplinary team environment as well as independently with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility, patience, sensitivity, tolerance, enthusiasm, creativity and imagination.
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Knowledge and experience in developing and delivering skill-building workshops, presentations and effective programming.
• Commitment to participating in ongoing professional development including the use of emerging technologies.

Preferred:

• Good understanding of community resources.
• Good understanding of trauma informed practices.
• Knowledge of FNMI cultural practices and youth culture.

Qualifications, Certifications and Designations

Preferred:

• Alberta College of Social Worker Registrant in good standing.
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training.
• First Aid / CPR Certification

For further information, contact Barclay Spady, Principal at or email .

Only online applications will be accepted.

Elk Island Public Schools appreciates and considers all applications; however, we only contact candidates who are selected for interviews.

If you require assistance with the application system, please call Apply to Education at or email