School Settlement Response Worker

The Peel District School Board (PDSB) is a racially, culturally and linguistically diverse board that serves 155,000+ students and approximately 17,000 employees. In PDSB, 87% of students are racialized, non-white, representing 162 different ethnic backgrounds. Students in Peel have 121 different first languages. Student diversity also exists in terms of gender and gender expression, sexuality and in terms of ability and faith. A responsive and empathetic understanding of the lived experiences of the students and communities we serve is vital to those who will take on leadership roles within the PDSB. The workforce consists of teachers, office staff, custodial staff, education assistants and professional staff. The workforce is largely unionized through PDSB’s numerous affiliated bargaining agents.

We are currently accepting applications for a School Settlement Response Worker .

The We Welcome the World (WWTW) Centres play a vital role at the Peel District School Board (PDSB) in meeting the settlement needs of our diverse students and their families. As a School Settlement Response Worker, you will contribute significantly to this goal by using your settlement or community work experience to facilitate the smooth integration of students and parents within our school system.

Reporting to the MSEP facilitator of the We Welcome the World Centres, you will provide culturally and linguistically specific settlement, referral, crisis intervention and counselling support services – in their first language – to students and parents in our schools. Covering 110+ schools, you will work closely with WWTW and other Board staff, MSEP settlement workers, partnering agencies, and other community service providers, to better identify and meet newcomer needs.

This collaborative, multi-faceted role will see you helping students and their parents connect with school and surrounding community services, following up with schools and families, and advocating on behalf of families with school personnel and community resources to ensure services are being rendered efficiently. We will count on you to support school staff in ensuring a smooth integration process for students and families, and increasing newcomer parent engagement, and to communicate students’ and parents’ questions and concerns to PDSB and other service providers, and represent the Board at meetings with said providers regarding their services to newcomer families. There is an expectation that applicants will have an understanding of anti-Black racism and other forms of discrimination as we look to lessen the disparities in educational outcomes for marginalized students, particularly those who identify as Indigenous, Black, African and Caribbean.

On the more administrative front, you’ll create and maintain client files, gather qualitative and quantitative settlement process information, provide reports, and input data pertaining to one-on-one sessions, parent workshops, information sessions and school activities into the Student Information System (SIS) and other databases.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:
Degree/diploma in Social Work, Settlement or a related field

Two (2) to four (4) years’ settlement work or community work experience providing services to newcomers and a diverse population

Knowledge of the social services sector and settlement-related government programs, services, and legislation, including Child and Family Services Act, Safe Schools Act, Ontario Education Act, Ontario Works Act, Employment Standards Act, and Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act

Experience in a school environment, providing settlement needs and supporting parents, students, and community partners

Effective counselling, interpersonal, problem-solving and organizational skills

Effective presentation and communication skills; both oral and written

Working knowledge of the education system and community resources and services in Peel and relevant government programs and policies

Ability to work with a team and with school personnel in meeting the needs of newcomer students and their families

Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle

Demonstrated commitment to working in a diverse school community and/or work environment

ASSETS:
Written and verbal fluency in Arabic, in order to deliver services

Commitment to Equity, Anti-Oppression and Anti-Racism

The Peel District School Board is committed to equity in employment. We are committed to equitable hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the full diversity of the Region of Peel. We will provide reasonable accommodation (e.g. an accessible location, rescheduling of interviews that fall on Days of Significance etc.) based on any of the human rights protected grounds, during the hiring process if advised in advance.

We are also committed to inclusion, anti-oppression and anti-racist practices while also supporting the continuous growth and development of an equitable and empowered education system at the PDSB.

Criminal Background Check

Successful candidates must provide a satisfactory Criminal Background Check prior to commencing employment. Please review the requirements for the Criminal Background Check.

Recruitment Process

We appreciate the interest of all applicants, but will only be contacting candidates whose skills, experience and qualifications best meet the requirements of the position. When contacted, candidates will be provided with an overview of the various elements of the selection process; such as, test and skill demonstrations. All communication to applicants regarding this job posting, including an invitation to complete skills assessments and/or a job interview if applicable, will be made through email. Candidates are encouraged to regularly check their email as listed on their applytoeducation.com account.

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Preference will be given to qualified members of the Administrative Staff Group (ASG).