Job Description

Reporting to: Supervisor, Family Resources
Type of Posting: To fill a vacancy
Classification: Part Time Permanent, 28 hours weekly, union
Salary Range: $50,050 – $70,426 per annum, to be prorated based on FTE
Starting Date: As soon as possible
Application deadline: 11:59 PM, April 13, 2025 Resumes will be reviewed on an ongoing basis
Application Procedure: Apply through the Career section of our website: https://hccas.ca/

MISSION
Guided by Catholic values and teachings, we serve and offer bilingual (English/French) service to children, youth and families within the Hamilton community to protect their safety and well-being, strengthen families and nurture lifelong relationships.
The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of the city of Hamilton and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.
Qualified candidates must have the skills and knowledge needed to work with an increasingly diverse population as well as knowledge of inequities, how they are perpetuated, and the skills to address them, specific to the requirements of the job.
We are currently seeking an Education Liaison to join our Family Resources Department on a part-time permanent basis.

Duties:
• Provide supports to improve the educational outcomes of children and youth in care, in customary care, in a Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA), or receiving voluntary or court-ordered services from a Child Welfare Authority.
• Resolve issues that impact eligible children and youth’s learning, and strengthen relationships amongst Children Aid Societies, schools, First Nations school authorities and community partners in order to improve the educational outcomes of eligible children and youth.
• Assists staff in locating and implementing appropriate community services and supports in order to meet the educational needs of children.
• Coordinates, and acts as a navigator for eligible children and youth within the school system and help to resolve issues that impact student learning (e.g. transitions between schools, suspensions, special education), and help eligible children and youth to receive educational services and supports to help them achieve the educational goals that are relevant to them.
• Work with the Society and school board to address student transportation needs.
• Facilitate access for eligible children and youth to existing educational supports and resources in the school system or the community by providing information and referrals for individual eligible children and youth that address individual needs and support/reinforce strengths.
• Leverage existing resources in the child welfare and education systems through referrals and collaborations (e.g. Crown Ward Education Championship Teams).
• Foster communication and linkages with community agencies/organizations to improve access and mitigate barriers to educational services and supports for eligible children and youth.
• Build system capacity among society and educational staff on how to better meet the educational needs of eligible children and youth.
• Meet with eligible children and youth and supporting adults (e.g. caregivers, teachers, counsellors, case workers), which may occur in educational or community-based settings.
• Acts as a liaison between agency staff and schools when required.
• Strengthens relationships between the agency, respective school boards and community partners.
• Represents the agency in meetings with community partners to develop required initiatives to expand the educational outcomes for children.
• Identifies gaps which prevent children from having their educational needs met.
• Provides guidance and support to increase the knowledge and skills of Society staff and caregivers on how better to meet the educational needs of children and youth.
• Facilitate timely exchange of information between schools and the Society in accordance with the Joint Protocol for Student Achievement (JPSA).
• Provide training to child welfare staff on the JPSA.
• Maintains service statistics.
• Acts as a resource person for child protection staff with regard to educational matters.
• Informs staff of educational opportunities available within the community.
• Services of the Education Liaison will be:
o Reflective of, and responsive to, the needs of eligible children and youth.
o Accountable to children and youth served and to their communities.
o Responsive to the social, linguistic and cultural diversity of eligible children and youth.
o Culturally responsive to the needs of a diverse population of youth (e.g. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, and racialized children and youth).
o Staffed by individuals with the appropriate skills and abilities necessary to respond effectively to the educational needs of children and youth. This includes knowledge of Ontario’s education system and connections to the education sector.
o Based on the assessed needs and preferences of the eligible children and youth who receive services, and available Society, community and contracted Ministry resources.
• Coordinates work with supervisor, and follows the direction of the supervisor after consultation when required.
• Completes mandatory training and participates in ongoing agency training.
• Demonstrates leadership and a commitment to the principles of anti-oppressive practices and anti-racism based on justice, fairness, equity, respect of the beliefs and traditions of others.
• Complies with agency Health and Safety policies and the Ontario Health and Safety Act, and regulations.
• Committed to the Society’s mission and vision.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.
• Qualified candidates must have the skills and knowledge needed to work with an increasingly diverse population as well as knowledge of inequities, how they are perpetuated, and the skills to address them, specific to the requirements of the job.

Qualifications:
• Post-secondary degree.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working from an educational framework with children and youth.
• Lived experience as a member of an equity seeking group is preferred.
• Knowledge of The Education Act and special education services is required.
• Strong knowledge of the current educational system and child welfare system.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act.
• Excellent communication, relationship building, and negotiating skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Demonstrated understanding of the current educational barriers that exist for youth.
• Ability to problem solve.
• Knowledge and commitment to anti-oppressive/anti-racist philosophy.

Additional Requirements for this Position:
• Computer literate with demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft office and proprietary child welfare systems and programs.
• Demonstrates a commitment to, and work ethic in leadership and role models behaviours that demonstrates the Mission and Vision of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society.
• Able to affirm and integrate in the delivery of services the Society values which reflect the Agency’s Catholic faith, heritage, culture and traditions.
• Bilingual French/English is an asset
• Respectful and compassionate demeanor.
• At the time of hire, documents required will include:
o Vulnerable Sector Police clearance
o Provincial Child Protection Record Check
o Valid Ontario Driver’s license and acceptable drivers abstract.
o Provincial check of Authorization with OACAS
The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of the city of Hamilton and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.
The Agency is inviting applications from qualified individuals who self-identify as being part of one or more of the under-represented equity groups. During the online applications process, applicants will have the opportunity to complete the online questionnaire to indicate if they self-identify as being part of an equity seeking group. Answering the questionnaire is voluntary. If the questionnaire is not completed by an applicant, they will not be considered as being from an equity seeking group.
Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton is committed to ensuring a unbiased selection process that values equity, diversity and inclusion and reflects the Hamilton Catholic community that we serve.
In order to minimize interviewer bias we have incorporated the following into our selection process:
1. We will have our interview panel score written assignments blind to eliminate bias
2. We will seek out recent examples on behavior-based questions during the interview process
3. We will review a candidate’s lived experience during the interview and when assessing staffing needs
4. We provide accommodations in accordance with AODA and the Ontario Human Rights Code
5. We will hold your application in strict and professional confidence
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building on inclusive process that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please inform Human Resources at the time when you are invited for an interview.

Required languages: English

Education level: • Post-secondary degree. • Minimum of 2 years’ experience working from an educational framework with children and youth.

Required skills: • Provide supports to improve the educational outcomes of children and youth in care, in customary care, in a Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA), or receiving voluntary or court-ordered services from a Child Welfare Authority. • Resolve issues that impact eligible children and youth’s learning, and strengthen relationships amongst Children Aid Societies, schools, First Nations school authorities and community partners in order to improve the educational outcomes of eligible children and youth. • Assists staff in locating and implementing appropriate community services and supports in order to meet the educational needs of children. • Coordinates, and acts as a navigator for eligible children and youth within the school system and help to resolve issues that impact student learning (e.g. transitions between schools, suspensions, special education), and help eligible children and youth to receive educational services and supports to help them achieve the educational goals that are relevant to them. • Work with the Society and school board to address student transportation needs. • Facilitate access for eligible children and youth to existing educational supports and resources in the school system or the community by providing information and referrals for individual eligible children and youth that address individual needs and support/reinforce strengths. • Leverage existing resources in the child welfare and education systems through referrals and collaborations (e.g. Crown Ward Education Championship Teams). • Foster communication and linkages with community agencies/organizations to improve access and mitigate barriers to educational services and supports for eligible children and youth. • Build system capacity among society and educational staff on how to better meet the educational needs of eligible children and youth. • Meet with eligible children and youth and supporting adults (e.g. caregivers, teachers, counsellors, case workers), which may occur in educational or community-based settings. • Acts as a liaison between agency staff and schools when required. • Strengthens relationships between the agency, respective school boards and community partners. • Represents the agency in meetings with community partners to develop required initiatives to expand the educational outcomes for children. • Identifies gaps which prevent children from having their educational needs met. • Provides guidance and support to increase the knowledge and skills of Society staff and caregivers on how better to meet the educational needs of children and youth. • Facilitate timely exchange of information between schools and the Society in accordance with the Joint Protocol for Student Achievement (JPSA). • Provide training to child welfare staff on the JPSA. • Maintains service statistics. • Acts as a resource person for child protection staff with regard to educational matters. • Informs staff of educational opportunities available within the community. • Services of the Education Liaison will be: o Reflective of, and responsive to, the needs of eligible children and youth. o Accountable to children and youth served and to their communities. o Responsive to the social, linguistic and cultural diversity of eligible children and youth. o Culturally responsive to the needs of a diverse population of youth (e.g. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, and racialized children and youth). o Staffed by individuals with the appropriate skills and abilities necessary to respond effectively to the educational needs of children and youth. This includes knowledge of Ontario’s education system and connections to the education sector. o Based on the assessed needs and preferences of the eligible children and youth who receive services, and available Society, community and contracted Ministry resources. • Coordinates work with supervisor, and follows the direction of the supervisor after consultation when required. • Completes mandatory training and participates in ongoing agency training. • Demonstrates leadership and a commitment to the principles of anti-oppressive practices and anti-racism based on justice, fairness, equity, respect of the beliefs and traditions of others. • Complies with agency Health and Safety policies and the Ontario Health and Safety Act, and regulations. • Committed to the Society’s mission and vision. • Performs other duties as may be assigned. • Qualified candidates must have the skills and knowledge needed to work with an increasingly diverse population as well as knowledge of inequities, how they are perpetuated, and the skills to address them, specific to the requirements of the job.

Closest intersection: King Street East and Sanford Avenue