Manager of Mental Health and Wellness

The School District

The Pacific Rim School District covers much of Central Vancouver Island's rugged, picturesque West Coast and serves a regional population of approximately 31,000 residing in the communities of Port Alberni, Tofino, Ucluelet, Bamfield and other remote communities. The schools are situated on the ha-houlthees of the ciaaat, hupacasath, tla-o-qui- aht, Yuuluilat, and Huu-ay-aht First Nations. The school district respectfully acknowledges that it works alongside all Nuu-chah-nulth Nations, other First Nations, and Metis and Inuit of British Columbia to serve all children and youth of the Alberni-Clayoquot region.

The district is home to 4000 students, 35% of whom are of Indigenous ancestry, in two neighbourhood secondary schools, eight elementary schools, and one K-12 school. The district has a successful alternate learning centre, a strong French Immersion program, a thriving international student program, and a busy continuing education program.

The Position

Reporting to the Director of Instruction Inclusive Education, the Manager will develop and implement Mental Health and Wellness initiatives across the district. The Manager will develop initiatives that help District staff and District partners better support youth and families struggling with mental health and wellness. The Manager will specifically support District staff as they support Indigenous youth and families who are experiencing challenges around mental health and wellness. It is expected that the Manager works in both intervention and prevention models when supporting staff, students and families.

Duties/Responsibilities: Oversee and manages Community of Practice (CoP) with Mental Health Workers and Youth Care Workers

Support staff in matters of wellness and crisis management

Support staff in matters of addressing student extreme behavior and mental illness.

Be a member of the Critical Incident Team

Provide consultation for District staff as they assess and manage students presenting with complex mental health issues and/or behaviours significantly impacting the student.

Provide support to the Human Resources team in matters related to mental health and wellness.

Participate in the implementation and management of return-to-work plans and accommodations as they relate to mental health and wellness.

Ensure District policies and administrative procedures align with best practice regarding mental health and wellness

Liaise with community partners to best implement new and existing programs for students that focus on mental health and wellness (ex. Preventure, Integrated Child Youth Team - ICY)

Chair of Joint Health Wellness Committee

Be involved in internal mediation and/or restorative justice practices, as required

Liaise with Indigenous partners to co-operatively support indigenous students and staff.

Collect, analyze and report on data related to mental health and wellness of staff and students

Liaise with school-based Administration and school-based teams around the development of Student Risk Response Plans

Other duties as assigned Qualifications & Skills: A graduate level degree in Social Work, Counselling, Psychology or equivalent

Specific training in addictions (certificate or diploma) preferred

Experience in providing professional development, in-service, learning opportunities to staff, parents and community.

Demonstrated ability to manage many tasks at once

Ability to work evenings and weekends as required

A thorough understanding of trauma as it relates to mental health, wellness and substance misuse with a particular focus on trauma in Indigenous communities and inter-generational trauma

Demonstrated ability to deal with highly confidential and sensitive issues with a high degree of diplomacy and confidentiality

Demonstrated experience and effective planning with cross-agency partners including safety plans and youth agreements

Ability to impact and influence, manage change, build consensus, and encourage others to support initiatives

Superior organizational, management, leadership, communication (verbal and written) and supervisory skills

An understanding of the First People's Principles of Learning, UNDRIP calls to action and other rights holders expectations of the education system and the ability to use those documents and beliefs to support staff, students and families This full-time excluded position has an excellent benefits package with a salary range of $95,506 - $119,382 based on experience and qualifications. For more information on this position contact Peter Klaver, Assistant Superintendent at 250-720-2757 or pklaver@sd70.bc.ca.

Interested applicants should forward their resume with cover letter and any supporting documentation to Trisha Wilson at twilson@sd70.bc.ca . This opportunity will remain open until filled.

In submitting an application package, candidates consent to SD70 Pacific Rim contacting individuals or supervisors for the purpose of shortlisting and/or reference checking other than those provided as references in the application package.

We appreciate the interest of all applicants but advise that only those selected for interviews will be contacted.