Contract/Term, Occasional/TTOC in St. Catharines

The DSBN is a supportive, innovative community that works towards doing what's best for kids and helps every student achieve success. Whether you're in the classroom, on the playing fields, in the office or in the cafeteria, we know it's the dedicated staff who bring our mission to life – you are what creates a child's school experience and contribute to students reaching their full potential.

We proudly serve over 40,000 students across almost 100 elementary and secondary schools in Niagara, located between Lake Erie in the South and Lake Ontario to the North.

POSITION: Supply Educational Assistant / Long-term Occasional

LOCATION: DSBN Elementary & Secondary Schools in the Niagara Region

RATE OF PAY: $198.04 per day (including 4% vacation pay)

SCHEDULE: On-call working up to 35 hours per week (10-month position working from September to June)

Position Summary: Supply Educational Assistants support students with diverse needs such as Autism, behavioural concerns, and students requiring Total Care. As a Supply Educational Assistant, you will have the autonomy to determine your availability and preferred work locations, allowing you to tailor your schedule to fit your lifestyle. This flexibility extends to choosing the days you want to work, promoting a positive work/life balance. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to contribute to an OMERS Pension paving the way for long-term financial security. The DSBN provides opportunities for long-term placements that could lead to full-time permanent employment. This means you can build a rewarding and stable career within the organization. Benefit from the opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge through professional development opportunities offered at the DSBN.

Interested applicants must have:

• Proven Experience: Showcase your hands-on experience working with students with special education needs across various age groups, preferably within a school environment.
• Collaborative Spirit: Demonstrate your ability to collaborate with classroom teachers. Your contribution to establishing a positive classroom environment is crucial for fostering an atmosphere of growth and support.
• Comprehensive Student Support Skills: Highlight your skills in providing support across personal care, feeding, lifting, diapering, toileting, mobility, communication, and life skills.
• Behavioural Expertise: Showcase your in-depth understanding of positive behaviour supports, including proficiency in Applied Behaviour Analysis strategies.
• Classroom Management: Illustrate your proven ability to handle classroom management and emergency situations with poise.
• Effective Communication: Emphasize your ability to communicate with sensitivity and courtesy.
• Adherence to Protocols: Highlight your proven track record of following policies and procedures in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Commitment to Confidentiality: Illustrate your unwavering commitment to confidentiality.
• Valuable Experience: Previous experience in an Educational Assistant role within diverse classroom settings is a notable asset.
• Mobility and Dedication: Access to reliable transportation, coupled with your enthusiasm to work in multiple DSBN school locations throughout the Niagara region.
• Physical Agility: Ability to stand/walk for extended periods.
• Supportive Strength: Showcase your commitment to the well-being of students by demonstrating your capacity to physically assist children.
• Emergency Preparedness: Preferred certification in Standard First Aid/CPR and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention or Behavioural Management Systems (BMS).

Qualification: Educational Assistance or Autism and Behavioural Science Diploma or equivalent post-secondary program in education as deemed by the employer. A minimum of one (1) year proven ability and recent working experience with students or individuals with special needs and behavioural disabilities. Candidates must be capable of performing the essential physical duties of the position such as, lifting, positioning and transferring children and equipment using BMS techniques where required.

Application Process: All applications are accepted through ApplyToEducation. Application packages should include: Cover Letter, Resume, Three (3) professional references.

Selection Process: We thank all the candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The District School Board of Niagara is committed to equity and inclusion in the recruitment and hiring of its employees, who reflect the diversity of our community and students we serve.

Conditions of Employment: Upon hire, provide a Criminal Background Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (dated within six months); Agreement to comply with the Board's policies, procedures and code of conduct; Successful completion of a probationary period in accordance with the Collective Agreement; Complete an annual offence declaration process.

Additional Information: The DSBN is committed to equity for all students and staff, and to deliver quality education through a qualified workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Upon request, we will provide reasonable accommodations in the hiring process to support applicants with disabilities.