Indigenous Social Worker (Permanent, Full-Time)

About the role

The Wellington Catholic District School Board is hiring a 100% permanent Indigenous Social Worker for its Indigenous Education Team and Mental Health Clinician (MHC) team. The role focuses on First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth engagement and positive support, and is itinerant, visiting students from any school in the district. It is a full-time position of 34.5 hours per week, starting as soon as possible.

Key responsibilities

• Support Indigenous students as mentor, advisor and clinician, helping them overcome barriers such as academic, mental health and justice issues
• Build trusting, strength-based relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis students and their families
• Provide individual and group interventions for students facing significant social, emotional or mental health challenges
• Deliver evidence-informed mental health treatment (CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing) tailored to children and youth
• Assess complex challenges through an Indigenous lens, considering identity, self-determination and cultural preservation
• Advocate for youth engagement and positive support with teachers, parents and community members
• Lead in-service training and present to Board staff on Indigenous perspectives and child development
• Work with administrators, teachers and the Indigenous Program Coordinator to find solutions to systemic barriers
• Build relationships with service agencies and treaty partners, and refer students to academic and community supports
• Report and monitor program outcomes with the Indigenous Education Team and Council

Required profile

• First Nations, Inuit or Métis identification
• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree (or working toward it), registered in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
• Experience working with children and youth with social, emotional and mental health challenges
• Knowledge of Indigenous worldviews, values and cultural protocols, and of First Nations, Inuit and Métis perspectives
• Valid driver's license and a reliable vehicle for travel within the district

Required skills

• Clinical interviewing and mental health treatment modalities (CBT, DBT) are an asset
• Strong verbal and written communication and teamwork with other professionals

Applications require a cover letter, resume, supporting documents and three references, one from an Indigenous community or organization. External candidates must provide a criminal record check within six months of acceptance. The annual salary ranges from $75,959 at Step 1 to $99,390 at Step 6.