EOI - G.R.A.D Connector

Title: G.R.A.D Connector

Reports to: Manager, Youth Services

Position Type: Part-Time, Contract (0.6 FTE or 21 hours per week, 2 year term)

Salary:  $23.52 - $27.67/hour

Vacancy Status: Existing vacancy

Location: Kingston

Position Summary

The G.R.A.D. (Guidance, Relationship, Advocacy, Development) Connector will understand that relationships and advocacy are at the center of this position.  The GRAD Connector is responsible for providing advocacy and coaching, as needed, to individual students, their families, and other program stakeholders, to create the best support for the student’s progress through high school. The GRAD Connector monitors attendance, performs participation and learning assessments, and builds ongoing relationships with an assigned number of students. The GRAD Connector will deliver and develop a curriculum based on life skill development, including transitional services to employment and life beyond high school.

Key Responsibilities 

Support and Advocacy

• Establish and maintain positive and supportive relationships with students, parents/ guardians and secondary school staff, ensuring students fully participate in programming as expected for their age or grade level


• Actively assess and analyze specific educational, social and emotional challenges and gaps as faced by high school students


• Assess, needed supports, case by case, and develop and implement approaches to deliver those supports


• Refer and monitor students’ access to Programming, maintaining regular contact


• Collect, review and monitor correspondence and documents pertaining to the student’s progress including, but not limited to, attendance data, school credits, suspension reports, and learning assessments


• Support and advocate as necessary for students and their parents/guardians in decisions affecting the educational and social development of students made by the individual secondary schools and/or from the school board


• Refer individual students and their parents/guardians to other agencies or providers who might best be able to provide supports or services to meet their needs, documenting and monitoring all such activities and their effectiveness, ensuring the systematic follow-up with participants and providers


• Work on-site at schools and in the community in an outreach role


• Work during hours that meet the needs of their caseload

Program Administration

• Ensure students receive earned current financial supports and other program supports as available, and are accountable for these supports


• Plan, facilitate and lead off site recreation activities


• “Work assigned” for nightly programming based on life skill development both with other Pathways’ staff and community partner organizations


• Provide written and oral reports to the supervisor on all aspects of the work; in particular, regular reporting and documentation on attendance, grades, and all issues, challenges, accomplishments, including incidents and referrals and other follow-up effecting social, emotional or academic student success


• Aid in annual tasks such as student and parent registration, collection of student surveys for research purposes and older students’ self-reflections identifying needs for career mentoring supports


• Gather information required to support periodic and ongoing program evaluation and improvement (for example, collecting student surveys, arranging parent participation in focus groups, and ensuring accurate and complete data is available on attendance, grades, credits, etc.)


• Participate as a team with other Pathways staff


• Prepare recommendations for program improvements through reports or research


• Use Quality Improvement methods to measure efficacy of developed curricula and programming

Organizational Responsibilities

• Comply with all relevant legislation and KCHC policies, including privacy laws


• Commits to acquiring an understanding of the importance of trauma responsiveness and the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)  


• Commits to demonstrating an ongoing commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigenization and Accessibility (EDIIA) by representing the diverse nature of our communities, promoting and practicing inclusion


• Supports consistent application and development of KCHC policies and procedures


• Supports KCHC’s student and volunteer placement programs


• Promotes awareness of and participation in KCHC activities


• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and quality improvement


• On occasion, perform other temporary duties as required

Basic Education and Experience Requirements

• College diploma or university degree in relevant field such as Education, Social Service Worker, Behavioural Psychology, and Child and Youth Care


• Additional training/experience with students with exceptionalities, or new language learners an asset


• Minimum 2 years’ relevant experience (i.e. tutor, educator, counselor) with high school aged youth


• Experience working with diverse groups


• Experience applying equity practices and informal counseling/coaching techniques

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of high school culture, credit system and challenges youth face


• Knowledge of community resources and social services of students requiring specialized support for legal issues, health issues, or emotional and social development


• Skills with time management, organization, conflict resolution and multi-tasking


• Ability to maintain a positive, safe and focused learning environment


• Excellent facilitation skills, including group management


• Excellent interpersonal skills, and a commitment to being a “team player”


• Proficiency in the use of computers and relevant software applications


• Understands and implements trauma sensitive approaches to working with clients

Other Requirements

• Current and satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Persons Check


• Must be available to work evenings until 6:30pm, four nights a week


• Valid Driver’s Licence, Driver’s Abstract and proof of vehicle liability insurance


• CPR/1st Aid training an asset

As a registered professional, to abide by and be accountable to the ethics and standards set out by the relevant regulatory body of the profession. All KCHC staff have a duty to understand and follow KCHC policies, uphold high ethical and professional standards, and maintain confidentiality and privacy, using tact and good judgment in all dealings with  other staff and clients.

At Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC), we understand that the work of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigeneity, and Accessibility (EDIIA) is ongoing. We are dedicated to being accountable, transparent, and responsive to the holistic needs of the communities we serve. We will continue to listen, learn, and take meaningful action to ensure that our policies, practices, and services create an environment where everyone, regardless of their identity or circumstances, can thrive.

We actively encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including but not limited to women, racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as members of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities, to apply to KCHC. Our commitment to EDIIA is a living practice, one that evolves as we grow and learn together. We pledge to contribute to building a system that is equitable, diverse, inclusive, accessible, and welcoming for all. 

KCHC is an equal opportunity employer, respecting and embracing the needs and diversity of our employees. If you require accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process, please notify Human Resources.

Kingston Community Health Centres, 263 Weller Ave. Kingston ON, K7K 2V4  www.KCHC.ca