Position Type:

• Part Time – before and after school, up to 10 hours/week. 
• Most hours will be weekdays before and after school
  • Approx. 8:15- 9:215 and 2:45-3:45

Anticipated Start Date: Position available now.
Locations Available: Cedar Drive Elementary - 3150 Cedar Dr, Port Coquitlam, BC.
Compensation: $27.85, plus paid sick days and vacation paid out at 6%.

Organization and Program:

The Society for Children and Youth (SCY) of BC is a unique, provincial not-for-profit organization. Our mission is to improve the well-being of children and youth in BC through the advancement of their civic, political, economic, social, cultural, and legal rights. Since 1974, the Society has focused on providing a strong voice representing children and youth.

The Society’s work focuses on four key priorities: child and youth rights, child and youth friendly communities, social justice, and organizational resilience. We have four core organizational values that the Walking School Bus is built around: 

1. Relationships: We know we can’t do our best work alone. 
2. Centering Children and Youth: Children and youth know best what they are experiencing and what their needs and interests are. 
3. Being Compassionate: Treating one another with compassion is fundamental to creating a safe and comfortable environment. 
4. Being Resourceful: To be resourceful, we must work to find creative solutions, push boundaries, define new roadmaps, and collaborate with community partners.

The Walking School Bus program was developed as part of TransLink’s regional Youth Travel Strategy and is now part of our Child and Youth Friendly Communities initiative throughout BC, aiming to make cities safer, healthier and more fun for young people. Walking School Buses are an organized group of children who walk to school together with the support of one or more adult Walk Leaders and/or volunteers.

Responsibilities:

SCY’s Walking School Bus Walk Leader will support the delivery of the WSB program at Cedar Drive Elementary School in Port Coquitlam.

Following our Walking School Bus Training Manual and Materials, the Walk Leader will be responsible for leading a group of children to and from school each day along a dedicated route. The route will include planned stops along the way to pick-up or drop-off children, similar to the way a traditional school bus would. This position involves communicating with school administration, volunteers, children, and families; daily outdoor physical activity; and informal education skills.

Specific responsibilities:

• Collect children from WSB stops and walk with them to school along a designated route (weekday mornings)
• Collect children from their school and drop them off at WSB stops along a designated route (weekday afternoons)
• Ensure children arrive to school safely and on time
• Ensure children arrive at their WSB stop after school safely
• Ensure children are being left in the care of their parent/guardian/trusted caregiver after school
• Commitment to daily shift hours (date, approximately one hour before and after school)
• Commitment to creating a fun walking environment for the group, including facilitating games along the walk
• Maintain up to date emergency contact information
• Update parents and guardians of participating students wherever necessary
• Promote pedestrian safety and awareness among students
• Collect and submit daily data reports
• Communicate with parents, school staff, and program coordinators as needed
• Follow established procedures and guidelines of the Walking School Bus program as outlined in the Walk Leader training manual and materials
• Promote the program to the school community
• Other duties as required

Desired Qualifications, Experience, and Skills:

If your background doesn’t match these requirements fully, we still welcome you to apply and share more about your qualifications for the role in your cover letter. 

• Informal and/or formal experience working with school-aged children
• Reliable, punctual, and committed to the program schedule
• Ability to follow guidelines and prioritize safety
• Respect for people of all ages, races, cultures, abilities and sexual orientations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Physical fitness, ability to walk or self-propel at a moderate pace for approximately 2km 
• Ability to dress appropriately for and work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Friendly demeanor
• Ability to work without direct supervision
• Ability to transport self to and from school location
• First Aid certification an asset
• Use of a cell phone during walks

SCY is committed to inclusion and diversity. Our organization’s success is built on the unique skills and perspectives of each individual. We respect and celebrate the dignity, value and diversity of all. We welcome applications from members of communities who have often been traditionally underrepresented in our profession including First Nations, Inuit, and Metis candidates, persons of colour, persons with disabilities, and persons of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. We thank all applicants; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The successful candidate will be able to provide a significant contribution to the Society’s work. We appreciate your taking the time to apply.