Student Success Social Worker

Job summary

The role focuses on reducing chronic absenteeism by building trusting relationships with students and their families using a trauma-informed approach. Responsibilities include creating individualized attendance plans and collaborating with school multidisciplinary teams to support student success.

Job details

Posting: Social Worker - Student Success Term: Full-time, Contract for the 2026/2027 school year Schedule: 10-Month employee, 7 hours per working day Start Date: As soon as possible Number of Positions: 2 Location: One at Father Mercredi High School and one and Holy Trinity High School Closing Date: Open Until Filled Fort McMurray Catholic School Division is seeking two compassionate, proactive, and community-minded Student Success Social Worker to join their team on a contract basis for the 2026/2027 school year. In this vital role, you will be the bridge between home and school for students facing chronic absenteeism and barriers to school connection. Rather than focusing on punitive measures, you will use a relational, trauma-informed approach to uncover the root causes of poor attendance. You will collaborate closely with families, educators, administrators, and counselors to co-create practical strategies that empower students to return to—and thrive in—the classroom. Qualifications & Skills Required Education & Experience Educational Background: Preference would be a diploma or degree in Social Work with licensing in Alberta College of Social Workers. Would also consider Child & Youth Care, Addictions Counselling, Psychology, or a closely related human services field with relevant licensing in the applicable specialization. Relevant Experience: Minimum of 2–3 years of experience working directly with at-risk youth, vulnerable families, or in community outreach. Strong Communication: Outstanding active listening, empathetic verbal communication, and conflict-resolution skills. Valuable Assets Addictions & Mental Health Lens: Experience or training in addictions counseling, harm reduction, or substance use prevention. Trauma-Informed Practice: Deep understanding of trauma-informed care and how mental health challenges impact youth behavior and school engagement. Diverse Cultural Competency: Ability to work effectively and respectfully with families from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Core Competencies Empathy & Resilience: The ability to remain patient, optimistic, and persistent when working through complex family dynamics and systemic barriers. Collaboration: A natural team player who values the input of educators, counselors, and administrators. Self-Direction: Highly organized and capable of managing a flexible schedule that may include phone calls, home visits, or school-yard outreach. Key Responsibilities Direct Student Support & Encouragement Build Authentic Connections: Establish trusting, non-judgmental relationships with students experiencing chronic absenteeism or school avoidance. Individualized Coaching: Work one-on-one with students to set personal attendance goals, build self-efficacy, and develop coping strategies for school-related anxiety or stressors. Daily Check-ins: Act as a welcoming and consistent "safe point-of-contact" for target students when they arrive at school. Family & Community Outreach Proactive Family Engagement: Under supervision of, and in collaboration with, the school leadership team, call and meet with families of students with emerging attendance concerns to understand their unique challenges. Collaborative Problem Solving: Partner with parents/guardians to design tailored attendance plans, identifying and addressing barriers such as transportation, mental health, or substance use issues. Resource Navigation: Connect families with external community resources, social services, and support networks when necessary. School Team Collaboration Multidisciplinary Teamwork: Work closely with teachers, principals, and school counselors to share insights and align support strategies for individual students. Data Monitoring: Monitor daily and weekly attendance trends to identify students in need of early intervention.

What you’ll do

The role focuses on reducing chronic absenteeism by building trusting relationships with students and their families using a trauma-informed approach. Responsibilities include creating individualized attendance plans and collaborating with school multidisciplinary teams to support student success.

Requirements

Candidates should ideally hold a degree or diploma in Social Work with Alberta licensing, or a related human services field. A minimum of 2-3 years of experience working with at-risk youth or vulnerable families is required.

Listed skills

• Conflict Resolution · Preferred
• case management · Preferred
• crisis intervention · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Active Listening
• Empathetic Communication
• Conflict Resolution
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Addictions Counseling
• Harm Reduction
• Cultural Competency
• Case Management
• Crisis Intervention
• Community Outreach
• Collaborative Problem Solving
• Resource Navigation

Job areas

• Social Services
• Education
• Healthcare

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