Student Parent Support Worker

Position Title: Student Parent Support Worker

Status: Temporary Full-time (1 year contract)

Hours: 35 hours per week (70 hours bi-weekly)

Salary: $26.308/hr - $30.95/hr

Department: Community Development Services

Who are we?

Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre is an innovative community based, multi-service center. We strive to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve. We work in partnership with individuals, families, and communities to achieve their full potential, paying particular attention to those who are most vulnerable and at risk. PQCHC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. If at any stage in the selection process you require an accommodation due to a disability, please let us know the nature of the required accommodation.

Job Summary:

Student-Parent/Program Support Workers (SPSW) are responsible for building relationships and facilitating ongoing communication with students, parents/guardians, and secondary school staff with the objective of supporting students’ academic success.

In addition, the SPSW works in close collaboration with their teammates and under the direction of their Team Supervisors to prepare and deliver both virtual and in-person evening programming. This position will provide both student support and be actively involved in programming.

Responsibilities:

Student/ Parent Support:

• Establish and maintain positive and supportive relationships with Pathways students, parents/guardians, and secondary school staff to ensure that students fully participate in the program and in school. This will be achieved by maintaining regular contact with students, parents/guardians, and school staff.
• Become familiar with the strengths and capacities, as well as the barriers and challenges, faced by Pathways students and, where needed, refer students to appropriate resources including academic, social, and emotional supports within the school system and in the broader community.
• Act as a liaison between students, parents/guardians, school staff and other service providers, and maintain strong communication between and among these parties, to support the student to meet their needs and achieve their goals.
• Ensure that relevant information is shared across all elements of the Pathways program (SPSW Team, Program Facilitators, Supervisors)
• Ensure all student relevant information is documented in the Pathways Data Base as well as Program specific documentation
• Maintain a current and relevant knowledge base of the Ontario curriculum, various paths for success within the school system, and well as an understanding of the resources available to support the student in their successful completion of secondary school and successful graduation.
• Support student in their post graduation planning- post-secondary programs, funding opportunities, knowledge of application guidelines, processes and deadlines.
• Monitor and support Pathways students to participate fully in Pathways academic and social activities as required or in alternative programming, where appropriate.

Program Support:

• Support the development, coordination, and delivery of Pathways programming maintaining a specific focus on: academic success, recreation/pro-social activities, skills development/leadership, employability, volunteering, career exploration and preparing for post-secondary.
• Ensure a safe and secure environment for students during program activities (i.e. behavior management, emergency procedures, etc.).
• Organize special activities and events designed to meet the needs of Pathways students and parents/guardians (i.e. student orientation, graduation celebration, parent engagement, etc.)
• Ensure programming meets the diverse needs and abilities of all students.
• Liaise across Pinecrest-Queensway Community Services to identify opportunities to collaborate on programs and services for Pathways students and their families.
• Assist in identifying and maintaining program partnerships with community organizations, local businesses, post-secondary education providers and other groups that can support Pathways students.
• Provide on-site support to volunteers during programming, including facilitating relationship-building between program staff, volunteers and students.

Administration and Teamwork:

• Take a lead role in the registration and re-registration process of students, including meeting with students and parents/guardians to explain the program and complete relevant forms.
• Collect student information such as school attendance, program attendance, credit summaries and other relevant data, and ensure files (electronic and paper) are kept up to date with this information.
• Document interactions with students, parents/guardians and school staff in accordance with program policies and established timelines.
• Provide financial supports to students and ensure that the distribution of these supports is effectively tracked, following established systems and processes.
• Participate in regular team and sub-team meetings to ensure that there is strong collaboration among all Pathways staff and program components.
• Assist with ongoing program evaluation and data collection efforts, as required.
• Other tasks as assigned

Qualifications

Education

• University degree in education, social work or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Professional Experience

• Experience working with high school age youth from diverse backgrounds is required.
• Experience planning and delivering high quality programming for youth is required.
• Experience in case management is preferred
• Experience in resource, service and support collaboration is preferred
• Experience working within high school settings preferred.

Key Competencies

• An understanding of the barriers and challenges faced by youth living in Ottawa Community Housing neighbourhoods or other culturally diverse, low-income communities.
• An understanding of and commitment to principles of diversity and inclusion, including anti-discriminatory practices.
• An understanding of the accessible resources, supports and services available to students and families.
• Experience delivering programming and offering support and resources for culturally diverse groups of youth and their families.
• Knowledge of Ontario high school curriculum and common practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of approaches to providing support to youth with diverse educational challenges and needs, including issues of inequity.
• Knowledge of community and social service resources in Ottawa, particularly services for youth.
• Knowledge and experience documenting interactions with clients in case notes and incident reports.

Linguistic Profile

• Fluency in English and French is essential.
• Fluency in Arabic, Somali or other languages commonly spoken among our student population will be considered an asset.

Personal Suitability/Other Requirements

• A strong interest in working in a non-profit environment focused on youth, poverty reduction, and education.
• A collaborative mindset, contributing to a climate of professionalism and team-based success.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to express differences of opinion in a tactful and constructive manner.
• Effective organization, time-management, and administrative abilities.
• Strong self-initiative and ability to work autonomously.
• Must be willing to work on-site and remotely as required
• Must be available to work evenings and weekends as required.
• Regular access to a vehicle and a valid G driver’s license required.