The Edmonton Society for Christian Education (ESCE) invites applications for the position of Child and Family Therapist effective August 26, 2024.
Located in Edmonton, Alberta, the ESCE serves almost 1600 K-12 students across three modern Edmonton Christian School campuses. Our schools employ approximately 65 teachers, 6 principals and assistant principals, as well as multiple support staff. Originating as independent schools in 1949, ESCE has been in a partnership agreement with Edmonton Public Schools since 1999 and continues to provide a high quality, Christian Alternative Program in the capital region.
The Edmonton Society for Christian Education values children as image-bearers of Christ and desires to support the healthy spiritual, physical, mental and emotional development of each child. To that end, the Society employs a Christian School Support Team composed of (2) Pastoral Care Leaders and a Mental Health Therapist to work in all three schools.
The Child and Family Therapist is responsible for providing collaborative services to support students that are experiencing social/emotional difficulties that are impacting the student’s ability to learn, as well as their overall wellness. These services are provided through intervention counselling, individual counselling, targeted counselling, and universal programing. The Counsellor liaises between the school, the family, and the community, to provide the most effective services for the students.
Primary Responsibilities:
Counselling Services
- Maintains a high level of knowledge regarding current and developing best practices in the field of student wellness, trauma-informed and restorative practices, assessing and managing risk of harm, and creating a safe school culture.
- Enhances the profile of the School Counselling Program and accessibility of services.
- Maintains ethical boundaries with clients, families, and others
- Develops and implements a yearly counselling plan that is reflective of the needs of the school.
- Ensures that a continuum of preventative, developmental, remedial, and intervention services are provided to students and their families to support student learning and wellness.
- Provides individual and targeted counselling services to students who are exhibiting emotional, behavioural, and social needs.
- Provides informal assessment and intervention that may include individual, targeted and/or universal strategies, referral and follow up.
- Supports administration and school staff in planning, implementing, and responding to events through a trauma-informed lens.
- Supports students and parents/guardians in identifying, planning for, and accessing professional services to support student wellness needs.
- Builds and maintains strong relationships with parents/guardians of students with wellness and/or counselling needs.
- Fosters relationships and builds partnerships with community supports
- Demonstrates strong problem solving and coping skills, and is competent and flexible in intervention strategies.
- Prioritizes and organizes their schedule to meet the needs of families/students including community, school and home based visits.
- Ensures that all professional registrations and certifications are valid and up-to-date.
Crisis Intervention Support
- Provides crisis intervention support and services to students.
- In consultation with school Administrators, school staff, community agencies, and other professionals; assesses crises as they arise and develops an appropriate plan for supporting those impacted by the crisis.
- Participates in the Violent Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) process. and is responsible, along with the team, for assessing the level of risk of a student harming themselves or others.
- Assesses the level of risk and provides intervention for students showing signs of suicidal behaviour, implementing the guidelines outlined in the approved suicide risk assessment model.
- Models calmness in times of crisis.
Advocacy and External Engagement
- Acts as an advocate for students and their families and is active within the school and community to increase education and awareness of health and wellness.
- Knowledgeable of community agencies, their mandates, and referral procedures.
- Assists in the referral and advocacy process for community based resources and outside agencies.
Other Responsibilities
- Models and promotes continuous learning experiences through reflection, conversation, and practice.
- Maintains regular communication with Executive Director and school administration
- Completes and provides regular reports to Executive Director at ESCE on workload and performance
- Represents and conducts self in accordance with ESCE’s Mission, Vision, and Values
- Provides thorough and timely data and information as requested.
Qualifications:
- Has completed a Masters degree in Counselling or related field (with clinical and practicum component).
- 2 to 5 years of experience in providing counselling services with extensive clinical experience, preferably within a school environment.
- Registered or certified member in good standing with a professional governing body, or willing to pursue registration/certification.
- Extensive experience in working with children, adolescents, families and social service agencies.
Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes
- Ability to relate well to children and adults.
- Exemplary interpersonal skills – ability to listen and build consensus with internal and external stakeholders, work effectively as part of a variety of teams.
- Aware of and able to appropriately interpret all applicable legislation, standards of practices, relevant ethical codes, and division policies and procedures.
- Personal integrity regarding the confidentiality of students, parents, and staff.
- Skilled in organization, time management, problem solving, and prioritizing tasks.
- The ability to take direction, work independently, and meet deadlines.
- Knowledge of office equipment and technology.
- Respectfully accepts feedback from various external and internal clients
How to Apply:
Applicants are asked to support their submission with a résumé and the following information:
- Covering letter;
- Names and contact information for three references who may be contacted for employment reference purposes;
- Copy of relevant registrations and certifications.
- original copy of a current clean criminal record check with vulnerable sector and an original copy of a child intervention record check.
- Philosophy of Counselling. This is a one to two page document where you describe your philosophy of working with children who have emotionally and psychologically diverse needs within a school setting, with special attention to how faith and spirituality would be incorporated.
- Statement of Faith
The Edmonton Society for Christian Education offers competitive compensation and benefits package. This position follows the school calendar. The successful candidate should expect to assume their duties on August 26, 2024.
Any questions about this position can be directed to Maureen Vaags-Nyhof, Executive Director of ESCE, at 780-408-7927 or by email to mvaags-nyhof@edmchristian.org
Interested applicants should submit their completed application to apply@edmchristian.org.
Position will be open until a suitable candidate is selected.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
