Guidance Counsellor

Company: Six Nations Polytechnic

Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) is a unique Indigenous Institute, recognized by community, government, and institutions of higher learning, as a Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Knowledge. SNP offers postsecondary, secondary, trades education and training. SNP has formal partnerships with nine publicly funded Ontario Universities and Colleges and collaborates with six Ontario-based Indigenous owned and controlled post-secondary Institutes.

 

For more information, visit www.snpolytechnic.com

 

At the SNP-STEAM ACADEMY, students earn a high school diploma, an industry-recognized college diploma, and gain relevant work experience in their field of study. The school creates a seamless program for students to acquire the academic, technical, and workplace skills and knowledge that employers need.

Function & Overview

The Guidance Counsellor understands and exemplifies the vision behind this new program at STEAM Academy. The Guidance Counsellor will serve as the facilitator for the attaining of students’ academic or career goals and assist them in developing their social and mental capacity. The goal is to enable the students to become mature and well-functioning adults. The Guidance Counsellor is required to perform all duties consistent with the governance values and operating policies of Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) while fostering positive relations with staff, students, stakeholders, and the community; contributing to a culturally supportive teaching, learning and work environment consistent with Hodinǫshǫ:nih/Rotinonhson:ni values of Ga’nigohi:yo:/Kanikoriio (Respect and the Good Mind).

Duties

The duties of the Guidance Counsellor include, without limitation:

Planning, Developing & Organizing Instruction

• Developing and implementing an all-encompassing educational and counselling plan with modern methods of teaching and mentoring;
• Creating a master staff timetable in collaboration with the administration;
• Creating timetables in the SIS (PowerSchool) in collaboration with parents and students;
• Exporting student course selections from Myblueprint (MBP) into the SIS;
• Utilizing the Learning Management system (D2L) to assist in planning students' academic pathways;
• Participating in training, supervision, staff meetings, special education meetings, and meetings with other professionals, as requested by the parents and approved by the principal;
• Developing in-school programs for alternative learning and credit accumulation for students who have missed credits;

Counselling

• Following Ontario School Counsellors Association (OSCA) guidelines of confidentiality in counselling students;
• Assessing students’ attributes and help them realise their strengths;
• Implementing and overseeing a high school guidance program that provides students with a safe and non-judgmental way to voice their concerns or worries;
• Advocating for students in regards to their academic and social/emotional needs;
• Assessing students’ needs and gather relevant information to make well-informed decisions for next steps;

School Environment

• Paying attention to cultural or societal differences when working with the students;
• Assisting school administrators and educators with planning and carrying out school-related programs and events;
• Fostering equal opportunity practices encouraging participation in the school community;
• Taking a solution-focused positive approach to problems, helping both the student and school staff see the strengths and potential of the student;

Academic & Mental Health Support

• Analyzing student performance in the classroom to provide guidance and identify potential problems;
• Monitoring student progress to reinforce accomplishments and improve student self-efficacy;
• Conducting group or individual counselling sessions in collaboration with the social counsellor to assist students with problems or concerns while remaining professional and in line with Ontario School Counsellors Association, (OSCA);
• Identifying behavioral problems or at-risk students and act appropriately;

Community Collaboration & Communication

• Organizing e-learning and summer school programs in conjunction with GELA (Grand Erie Learning Alternatives);
• Consulting with parents, teachers, and other interested parties to gain perspective on what a student may be experiencing and what they may need to experience success;
• Communicating with teachers, parents, and administrators on an ongoing basis about behavioral and academic concerns;
• Meeting with students, parents, staff, and administration throughout the semester, via in-person or online;
• Reporting to the Principal monthly and provide a written summary of student engagement, meetings attended, progress on written course development, and concerns related to student achievement;

Joint Work & Referrals with Other Staff/Programs/Services

• Assisting in making referrals for assessments (psychoeducational) and tests, analysing results, and providing feedback;
• Engaging in regular communication and collaboration with the classroom teacher, parents and students regarding student(s) programming and progress;
• Coordinating services with outside supports as required;
• Attending GEDSB Dual Credit meetings as required;

General Administration

• Assisting students with post-secondary education applications; 

• Data entry for OUAC (Ontario Universities’ Application Centre) and OCAS (Ontario College Application Service) applications four times per year; 

• Studying and updating student records including transcripts, file Ontario Student Records (OSR); 

• Using appropriate software including myBlueprint to develop Individual Pathway Plan (IPP) with students and families; 

• Preparing and presenting reviews on progress of students; 

• Pathway planning that aligns with students interests and needs (MBP); 

• Training/Mentoring/Collaborating with other staff within STEAM; and 

• Other related duties, as required. 

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• OCT (Ontario Teaching Certification) in good standing;
• Minimum requirement Guidance Part 1 and Part 2;
• Minimum 3 years experience in guidance; and
• Education in various models of teaching, best counselling practices and regulations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• A background in, or knowledge of, STEM/STEAM Pathways.
• Well versed in OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) graduation requirements;
• Knowledge of current research and instructional best practices;
• Ability to operate within a wide range of student personalities and backgrounds;
• Ability to demonstrate working knowledge of software applications;
• A general and current knowledge of Hodinǫshǫ:nih history, culture, values, contemporary issues, community priorities, and stakeholders;
• Excellent communication skills with an emphasis on written expression (i.e., faultless spelling and grammar, and professional style);
• Sound interpersonal skills including communication, organization, negotiation, and professional judgement;
• Ability to work under pressure and manage schedules, portfolios, and timelines, to meet demanding deadlines;

Demonstrated familiarity with standard desktop computing programs, including spreadsheets, word processing, and database applications, on the Windows 2010 (or later) operating system; and

• Capacity to work both independently and in a team setting, demonstrating Hodinǫshǫ:nih/Rotinonhson:ni values of Ga’nigohi:yo:/Kanikoriio (Respect and the Good Mind).

 

Criminal Record Check

The Guidance Counsellor will be required to provide an original Criminal Background check – vulnerable sector screening that is satisfactory to Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) prior to the first day of work at STEAM Academy and every three (3) years thereafter, and an Offence Declaration that is satisfactory to SNP by August 31 every year in between which they are employed by Six Nations Polytechnic.

At Six Nations Polytechnic, we are committed to diversity and inclusion as we continue and expand our efforts to become a more inclusive, safe and respectful workplace. Human Resources will accommodate any needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Recruitment processes will be modified to remove barriers to accommodate those with disabilities, as may be requested.

 

Applicants from Six Nations and other Indigenous communities will be given preference to deliver programs and services in a First Nations community.

Application deadline: January 31, 2025.

Job Type: Contract until June 27th, 2025 

Schedule:

• 7.5 hour shifts
• Monday to Friday
• 37.5 hours per week