Description
Who we are and what we value:
Parkland School Division (PSD) is a large progressive school jurisdiction serving Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Fort Chipewyan and Parkland County. PSD meets the diverse educational needs of over 12,000 rural and urban students among 23 sites, including outreach schools and alternative education programs.
Our values are what guide us. We strive for learning opportunities that are purposeful, essential, relevant, authentic and responsive while aiming for excellence in achievement. PSD also values trustworthy, respectful relationships that promote resilience as students and staff work towards our Ultimate Goal: Student Success & Well-being.
The Parkland School Division has a Permanent Full-time (1.0 FTE) First Nations, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) Liaison position available at Forest Green School in Stony Plain, Alberta.
The sucessful candidate will connect with families and support our Indigenous students at the school. You will support breakfast and lunch programs. You will work with teachers to support Indigenous ways of knowing into programming. Prior experience working with Indigenour populations is an asset.
Function and Purpose of Position
FNMI Liaisons collaborates with school staff, parents, FNMI officials, outside agencies (as necessary), and Learning Services in developing and implementing strategies to foster high levels of student attendance and readiness to learn.
FNMI Liaisons may:
• Work under the supervision of the Principal
• Work independently with students in a variety of settings
• Work with a particular FNMI student or a group of students within a class or in a special program
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team
The FNMI Liaison assist students through academic, social and emotional/behavioural supports that are designed to support success in school. Promoting a positive, safe and nurturing learning environment for FNMI students is an essential part of this role.
Instructional Support
• Participating in the development, monitoring and reporting of the goals related to FNMI education, as reflected in the school’s Education Plan.
• Meeting with individual students and groups of students regularly to discuss their progress, challenges and transition to future placements.
• Assisting in developing programs to meet the unique student needs which may not be provided through existing programs.
• Apply foundational knowledge about First Nations, Métis and Inuit for the benefit of all students.
Behaviour
• Facilitating problem solving with Indigenous students in cooperation with other students, school staff, parents and administration.
• Establishing rapport and creating an atmosphere of trust and respect with students.
Communication and Reporting
• Welcoming students and their families to school and school events and build strong trusting relationships and communication with Indigenous students and their families.
• Facilitating parent attendance at school events and parent-teacher conferences.
• Meet regularly with students, their teachers, and their families to discuss programs, challenges and transitions.
• Developing strategies to facilitate school staff contact with parents and families.
• Working with other FNMI Liaisons to promote a team approach to meeting the needs of students, their families and school staff.
• Maintaining accurate contact notes and relevant information regarding students beyond the report card.
• Establishing communication with FNMI students, parents, extended family, support systems, First Nation members and School Division administration to focus on the social and educational needs for personal wellness and academic achievement. Create programs to support staff and students in understanding Indigenous culture.
Community Resources/FNMI Culture
• Assisting with providing orientation to staff and students, including unique qualities of FNMI cultural heritage.
• Researching and developing a list of resources, contacts and services that may be specifically designed to support FNMI persons, and liaising with such resources on behalf of school and students. Work as part of a team to build, grow, monitor and report on a strong Indigenous education program.
• Fostering awareness of FNMI culture within the school and its community in collaboration with school staff and community by researching resources and student materials, coordinating cultural awareness events and promoting student attendance at cultural events and student conventions/conferences.
Supervise Students
• Supervise and assist students in preparing for special activities on an as need basis. Create and identify strategies to support students with attendance, classroom learning and navigating the school environment.
• Ability to work in a variety of environments and conditions (e.g. outside activities, school/community events).
Student Personal Development
• Assist in building the self-esteem and self-confidence of students.
• Encourage students to participate in classroom activities to build social skills.
• Administer first aid as required.
Other Duties
• Other duties as assigned
Education and Experience
a) Education:
i) High School Diploma
ii) Post-secondary training in the Human Services Field (Child & Youth Care, Social Work, Educational Assistant, etc) preferably including Aboriginal studies
iii) Nonviolent Crisis Intervention and First Aid Certificate would be an asset
iv) Knowledge of Truth and Reconciliation and Call to Action work with First Nation, Metis and Inuit communities, strong familiarity with Indigenous Culture and experience working with Indigenous youth
b) Experience:
i) 1 to 3 years of related experience is an asset.
Equivalencies will be considered.
Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• The ability to take direction and work independently
• Flexibility, patience, sensitivity, tolerance, enthusiasm
• Positive work ethic, dependable, and team player
• The ability to deal with the emotional and mental stress of working with children/group of children/school setting.
• First Aid Certificate
• Some assignments may require use of own vehicle
This work is most rewarding for those who enjoy working with people (especially physically, emotionally and behaviorally challenged children), having clear rules and guidelines for their work, and finding innovative ways to handle situations.
Working with Others
Some of the usual contacts that FNMI Liaisons will have in this position are:
1. Collaborate with employees in the same school to support FNMI students.
2. Employees in other schools will exchange factual or everyday information.
3. Daily communication with students will require explanation and interpretation of everyday information.
4. Communication with outside agencies, Learning Services, community members and administration, etc, will be required to access resources and community programs.
Physical Demands
The FNMI Liaison will work with students in a variety of positions (i.e. sit on Chair or floor, kneel, stand, bend or reach to assist.
Working Conditions
FNMI Liaisons work indoors except when attending school and community events that may be at an alternate location.
FNMI Liaisons may have the same holiday schedule as teachers, including a long summer break as well as winter and spring breaks. However, they work on a ten-month contract basis and therefore are not paid during the summer months.
The scheduled hours to be worked will be determined by each specific position.
This position may require the use of a personal vehicle as per job posting.
Additional Information
FNMI Liaisons must agree to respect the confidentiality and personal integrity of students, parents, teachers and other staff.
This position requires an original copy of a current clean criminal record check with vulnerable sector and an original copy of a child intervention record check.
This position is covered by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 5543
Hours of Work: 35 hours/week (Monday to Friday)
Pay Rate: $25.66-$28.76/hour (Category 4)
ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH APPLY TO EDUCATION WILL BE ACCEPTED.
How to Apply:
Applying is a two-step process. First you must register and create a portfolio, then you must apply to the job posting by following the steps below:
Click the position title of the job that you wish to apply to and then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click 'APPLY'.
Jobs that you have applied to will appear under the ‘Jobs Applied To’ tab in the Job Postings section. You will also receive a confirmation email.
For technical support while applying to a position online, please contact our service provider for assistance:
Apply to Education
Phone: 1-877-900-5627
Email: info@applytoeducation.com
Hours: 5:30am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday
We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
