Student Services Consultant

The South Shore Regional Centre for Education (SSRCE) practices the culturally responsive pedagogy approach in providing an inclusive, diverse, equitable, safe and healthy education that supports learning and success both personally and academically to the 59,000 residents of Lunenburg and Queens Counties, an area of 5,250 square kilometres and a total of 23 schools.

Regional Centres for Education have Employment Equity Policies and/or processes and we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups, particularly people of African Nova Scotian, African Canadian and African ancestry and Mi’kmaw/Indigenous ancestry. Please ensure you complete the self-identification portion on the position application.

Position:  Student Services Consultant

Reports to: Coordinator of Student Services

Employee Group:  NSTU

Qualifications:

• Valid Nova Scotia Teachers’ Certificate
• Masters in Inclusive Education, Special Education or Curriculum (UDL & SLDNE)

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years classroom experience (P-12) including programming for students with diverse and complex needs
• Minimum 5 years Learning Support Teacher experience working within a Learning Centre and/or Connect Centre
• Recent training and experience in evidence based programming and intervention for students with complex needs (learning, communication, and social engagement throughout the lifespan)
• Certified training in the following: Program for Aspiring Learning Support Teachers (PANLST), TEACCH, STAR (Strategies for Teaching based on Autism Research), STAR Links, Social Narratives, TRAACE (Transition Readiness & Autism Community Employment), PEERS (Program for the Evaluation and Enrichment of Relational Skills), TTAP (TEACCH Transition Assessment Profile), Social Thinking, Interoception, and PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), APSEA AIE ASD Online Course: ASD and Behavioral Interventions: An Introduction for School Personnel, and ARC (Attachment, Regulation, Competency Framework).
• Proven ability to lead and be a contributing member of Student Planning Teams and Teaching Support Teams
• Excellent communication (written, oral, and electronic), problem solving, organization, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated evidence of implementation of the Program Planning Process
• Coaching/mentor experience required
• Bilingualism is an asset

Characteristics:

• Demonstrated ability to provide program direction and assist in the development of appropriate outcomes for students with intensive needs
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and provide Professional Development to Learning Support Teachers, Teacher Assistants, and Child & Youth Care Practitioners to build capacity within our region
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with students, parents, community members, and outside agencies

Task Dimensions:

• Participate in Student Planning Team (SPT) and/or Teaching Support Team (TST) to assist in problem solving, student engagement and attendance, and program planning for students with intensive needs;
• Caseload lead for students with intensive needs that require an exceptional level of intensive, specialized programming and support. Programming for these students necessitates collaboration among a wide range of service providers within the school system and with outside agencies;

• Identify school and regional barriers to be solved in order to increase student engagement and attendance;
  • Tier 1: Universal strategies to address attendance (including teachers, appropriate school based staff, SSRCE Communications Officer, PowerSchool Leads, etc.) and will assist in facilitating Regional, School and Community team approach to address attendance issues.
  • Tier 2: Group work/resources offered to address identified issues in each school community (school staff such as school counsellors and administration, Student Support Workers, SchoolsPlus Outreach, Community Health Workers and other community supports).
  • Tier 3: Intensive Support to individual students/ families including SchoolsPlus Facilitator, Mental Health and Addictions Clinicians and Community Health Workers, Direct Support from SchoolsPlus Outreach and Student Support Workers,  RCH Coordinator, case conferencing with other related support services in the community.

• Apply training and experience to develop and support Individual Program Plans, Behaviour Intervention Support Plans (BISPs A and B), Tier 2 intervention and teaching strategies based on the individual needs of students;
• Support implementation of evidence-based programming, strategies, and interventions at Tier 1, 2, and 3;
• Oversee, in consultation with the Coordinator of Student Services, the implementation of provincial initiatives and other evidence based programs;
• Model teaching strategies and support school staff, as needed;
• Collaborate, plan, and lead training and professional learning opportunities for Learning Support Teachers, Community of Schools staff, Teacher Assistants (TAs), and Child and Youth Care Practitioners (CYCPs), in consultation with the Coordinator of Student Services;
• Collaborate and plan for Child & Youth Care Practitioner (CYCP)  summer learning progrmming experiences in consultation with the Coordinator of Student Services;
• Work collaboratively with the Student Services Team and Regional Education Team;
• Engage in continuing education and professional development in MTSS and Inclusive Education;
• Comply with the Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regulations;
• Possess knowledge of provincial and Regional Education Centre or CSAP policies, guidelines and procedures, and the rights and responsibilities of parents, students, teachers, and schools, as they relate to individuals with special needs;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

SECURITY CHECKS:

The South Shore Regional Centre for Education requires that all newly hired employees provide a satisfactory Child Abuse Register Check and Criminal Record / Vulnerable Sector Checks. If you have current checks that are less than 3 months old you can attach these checks to your application / resume.

To apply, please complete the online application and attach a current resume, along with 3 professional references. (Please note: Failure to include references may cause delay in processing your application.)

We thank you for your interest in the posted vacancy.