26PSSP11 - Complex Mental Health Social Worker Regional Teams - Various

Job Code: 26PSSP11

Professional Student Services Personnel

CAREER OPPORTUNITY: COMPLEX MENTAL HEALTH SOCIAL WORKER – REGIONAL TEAMS

ABOUT THE UPPER GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD(UGDSB)

The UGDSB employs a team of approximately 6,500 dedicated staff who serve more than 35,000 students attending a variety of programs across 66 elementary and 11 secondary schools as well as continuing education and adult learning centres in the counties of Dufferin, Wellington, and the City of Guelph. We are committed to supporting student achievement and well-being through our team of dedicated staff and strong learning communities, always striving to meet the diverse needs of our students

The UGDSB is situated on the ancestral, treaty and title lands of two Anishinaabek Ojibwe Nations: the Michi Saagig of the Credit and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. This land also includes a specified tract of land granted to the Six Nations of the Grand River. These Nations hold legal and specific rights in their respective territories. This area has been and continues to be home for Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous peoples.

We are proud to offer our employees a comprehensive range of total rewards designed to recognize their contributions to our shared success, including competitive compensation, a defined benefit pension plan, professional development opportunities, and vibrant wellness programs.

Join a community that values innovation, fosters growth, and empowers you to make an impact. Learn more about us and Find Your Path.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The UGDSB is seeking a dynamic individual to join our Student Support Services team for a temporary full-time opportunity in the capacity of Complex Mental Health Social Worker – Regional Teams.

Location:Various locations within the Board

Note: School location/geographical area cannot be guaranteed in perpetuity and are subject to change based on student and system needs.

FTE and Hours:1.0 FTE; 35 hours per week

Base Salary Range:$78,219 - $98,447 per year (based on 1.0 FTE full-time annual salary), plus applicable vacation pay, in accordance with the ESA; wage rate effective September 1, 2025

Labour Market Adjustment:A 6.5% labour market adjustment to be applied to the base salary range; salary range inclusive of market adjustment is$83,303 -$104,846 per year (based on 1.0 FTE full-time annual salary), plus applicable vacation pay, in accordance with the ESA; wage rate effective September 1, 2025

Note: Labour market adjustment may fluctuate based on local market and at discretion of the Board.

Start Date:To commence September 2, 2026

End Date:Anticipated end date of June 30, 2026 with possibility of extension or may end earlier than anticipated

Board Information:10-month position (yearly from September – June following the school year calendar); temporary; full-time; Professional Student Services Personnel (PSSP) Union

Vacancy Status:This posting is for an existing vacancy

Reporting to the Manager of Social Work and Attendance Counselling, the successful candidate will partner with the school based social worker and school team to develop comprehensive, collaborative school based plans to support student engagement, success and to provide support to schools for students with complex mental health, safety and behavioural needs.

Utilizing a strengths-based, trauma informed, and equity driven approach to practice, the Complex Mental Health Social Worker – Regional Teams will be assigned to a regional cluster of schools, working closely with multidisciplinary school teams, families, and community partners. The role provides short-term mental health services, consultation, and coordination for students with complex needs, and support and consultations through direct and virtual platforms within their assigned regional team. In addition, the position will support identified portfolios and will guide/ implement system level strategic initiatives and communicate / guide strategic initiatives per the assigned regional grouping. The regional role will work alongside the school-based staff in the regional cluster of schools and will require travel across East Wellington and Dufferin regions.

Responsibilities:

• Work as member of a multidisciplinary regional team to support students and school staff by consulting on strategies and interventions being used at the school level.
• Communicate with and provide support to families experiencing multiple stressors and/or facing systemic barriers to engagement, for the purposes of enhancing home-school connection, assessing student strengths and needs and facilitating access to community resources for students identified as having complex mental health needs and/or diagnosis.
• Complete referrals to and liaison with various community agencies involved with student care, including obtaining and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of community services and maintaining effective working relationships with these services
• As required, provide trauma-informed and evidence-based individual/group interventions to students; work with students 1:1 or in classroom settings
• Engage with students, families, and staff, to develop trusting and supportive relationships; provide reflective, relevant and identity-affirming care and support to students and families from diverse communities.
• Complete clinical assessment/observation, data collection, intervention, case management and monitoring of caseload; regular review of data to evaluate effectiveness of supports provided
• Participate in In School Team (IST) and Consultant Supported Team (CST) meetings as required
• Lead or participate in Violent Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) & Crisis Intervention Response responsibilities across the system; Provide Crisis Support for students as necessary
• Participate and engage in system committees and professional development as required.
• Other duties as assigned

Experience and Qualifications:

• Master of Social Work Degree (MSW). Must be registered with The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience working with school aged children and youth
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience and understanding of children and youth with complex mental health needs including: Trauma, Anxiety, depression, suicidality, and Attachment disruptions
• Experience supporting and coordinating services for students with developmental and behavioural needs, including: Autism, FASD, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities.
• Evidence of strong clinical skills using a variety of clinical modalities. Examples may include: BRISC, Brief Digital Interventions, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Interventions, Narrative Therapy, CBT, DBT and Trauma Informed Modalities.
• Extensive knowledge of child and adolescent development and the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on developmental/educational trajectories
• Knowledge of the Guelph-Wellington-Dufferin VTRA Community protocol and its application in schools
• Knowledge of the key components of crisis event response and coordination
• Knowledge of systemic barriers experienced by marginalized groups and specifically African Canadian/Black, Indigenous communities and 2SLGBTQIA+
• Demonstrated understanding of Anti-Oppression, Anti-Black Racism, Anti-Indigenous Racism and work from an Equity framework
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships across in-school and community systems
• Strong time-management skills, problem solving skills and ability to work effectively under pressure
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills - verbal and written
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to maintain up to date and accurate documentation in accordance with the Ontario College of Social Worker and Social Service Workers professional Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the Health Care Consent Act (HCCA).
• Previous experience as a school-based social worker/counselling and attendance would be an asset
• Knowledge and familiarity of geographical area and service agencies
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation. The successful candidate will be required to travel within the board to various schools
• Second language is an asset

APPLICATION DETAILS

Ready to make a difference? Candidates are invited to submit their application through Apply To Education,no later than 4:00 p.m. onJuly 22,2026 To submit your application, click the “Apply” button at the top of the page or visit: https://ugdsb.simplication.com/.

Please note: An original Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) must be provided prior to the commencement of employment (if the successful candidate is external). The VSC must be dated within 6 months of the start date of employment. For further information, refer to the UGDSB's Criminal Record Check for requirements.

While we thank all applicants for their interest in working for the UGDSB, we wish to advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

As part of our recruitment practices, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not be used in the screening, assessment, or selection process for this job posting.

INCLUSIVE RECRUITMENT & HIRING

The UGDSB is committed to building a diverse staff that is reflective of the community and students we serve. We actively encourage applications from members of groups who have historically and/or currently experience marginalization and/or barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

• First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples
• Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions
• Members of groups that commonly experience discrimination based on race, ancestry, ethnicity, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin
• Persons with disabilities

At UGDSB, we recognize that individuals may hold overlapping identities, which shape their experiences in unique ways. We are committed to our responsibility to create and maintain inclusive, equitable environments where everyone can fully participate, thrive, and reach their potential. To learn more, please visit Safe, Equitable and Inclusive Schools.

Accommodation & Accessibility

If you require accommodation at any phase of the recruitment process, please contact wellness@ugdsb.on.ca.

APPLICANT SELF-IDENTIFICATION QUESTIONS

The UGDSB is committed to fair and equitable hiring practices. As part of this commitment, we are collecting voluntary self-identification data to achieve an inclusive, diverse and representative workforce. The data aims to intentionally identify and remove barriers for equity-deserving communities at each stage of the hiring process.

Access to this information is restricted to People, Leadership and Culture (Human Resources). Personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the Anti-Racism Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 15 in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56. The UGDSB is committed to respecting the privacy of our staff, students and applicants. To learn more, please visit Policy 315 Privacy Protection and Information Access.

People, Leadership, and Culture (Human Resources) will use aggregate data from all forms (not individual data) for internal reporting. For more information on Human Rights at UGDSB, please visit Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility Office.

Completing the form is voluntary. If you prefer not to answer any or all questions, you can select “Prefer not to answer”. Choosing “Prefer not to answer” as a response will not impact your application or consideration for employment. If you have questions or concerns about this form, please contact plc@ugdsb.on.ca.

16-Jul-26