School District #8 (Kootenay Lake) (SD8) is located in the southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, serving the Lower Kootenay Band and the communities of Creston, Crawford Bay, Kaslo, Meadow Creek, Nelson, Salmo, Slocan, South Slocan, Winlaw, Wynndel, and Yahk, and the surrounding rural areas.

The districts areas are beautiful, vibrant, fantastic places to raise children, with world-renowned arts and entertainment, and easy access to a variety of excellent outdoor pursuits.

SD8 serves the learning needs of approximately 4700 students in several diverse communities and in an array of learning environments throughout the Kootenays.

Our visionary, creative team of approximately 800 staff focuses on providing the best opportunities for students and their families.

Our mission is to inspire and support each learner to thrive in a caring learning environment.

The school board office is located in Nelson, B.C. SD8 schools are dispersed geographically and range in size and composition:

– 13 elementary schools
– 1 middle school
– 1 K-10 school
– 4 secondary schools
– 2 K-12 schools
– online learning and blended programs
– an extensive array of program options, including Aboriginal Education, Late French Immersion, ELL, Outdoor Programs, and an International Program.

The annual pay range for a full time teacher is $63,367 – $111,488, with placement on the range based on experience and qualifications in accordance with the collective agreement.

As part of School District 8 Kootenay Lakes Inclusive Education Team, and reporting to the Assistant Superintendent and to the District Principal of Inclusive Education, the district is looking for an experienced Speech Language Pathologist to provide a full range of speech and language services to students.

Services are primarily provided in grades K-3 and with children/youth with diagnosed complex needs at higher grades.

This 0.80 FTE temporary position includes travel in Nelson and the Slocan Valley and may include travel to Salmo.  Days of the week may be determined with the applicant.

Speech and language services include a range of services encompassing assessment, identification, intervention, (including direct instruction for students in classroom settings, in small groups, or individually as appropriate), and reporting.

SLPs engage in consultation, collaboration with educators and support staff regarding students needs in the classroom and other school environments, in-service training, and information reporting to staff, families, and other agencies.

Ability to use online speech/language apps and district database/workflow systems is an asset (eg: MyEdBC and clevr).

Specific Responsibilities

-Communicate and work collaboratively with other professionals including school staff, school-based teams, and Inclusive Education staff

-Respond to referrals for service through district database (clevr), using professional judgement to determine need for service
-Utilize both formal and informal measures to evaluate a student’s performance in regard to speech, language and communication development
-Communicate assessment results to parents/guardians and educators regularly, involving them in decision making around supports

-Providing support(s) for students in speech and language which include classroom education and capacity building, and focused group and individual interventions
-Provide support with the implementation of effective strategies to support literacy in grades K-3 (ie Early -Literacy Profile assessment and strategy implementation or other literacy supports such as Heggerty and UFLI)
-Create goals for students and oversee implementation of intervention via Inclusion Support teachers, classroom teachers, and Education Assistants
-Assist school staff in the creation and monitoring of IEP goals
-Provide recommendations for and assist in set up and implementation of AAC systems for students as appropriate
-Ensure appropriate documentation and reporting is maintained and communicated according to school reporting periods, for parent communication and student files
-Initiate referrals, when necessary, to other district staff, agencies and community professionals in collaboration with the school teams
-Providing educational training and in-services for school district staff, community partners and families as appropriate
-Other related tasks as required by supervisors

Qualifications and Experience

Masters degree in Speech/Language Pathology
Membership in the BC College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals (must join if not already a member)
Demonstrated successful experience working with school age children and youth, particularly students in grades K-3 and students in K-12 with complex needs
Willingness to work in a collaborative environment with colleagues to ensure alignment of services throughout the district for Speech and Language development

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with district and school staff to best support student success in schools
Experience with and knowledge of alternative and augmentative communication systems
Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing
Valid BC driver’s license and use of personal vehicle, and ability to drive to worksites as assigned
Ability to participate in meetings within and beyond the regular school day to support learning

This position is part of the collective agreement between the district and the Kootenay Lake Teachers Federation.

The position offers a competitive salary and benefits, including compensation for mileage and yearly professional membership fees.

Interested qualified applicants should submit a cover letter and resume which must include current or most recent supervisor and two other recent professional supervisory references.

Please also include any supporting documents that establish your credentials and professional association membership.

For further information regarding this position, please contact Assistant Superintendent, Deanna Holitzki, at deanna.holitzki@sd8.bc.ca.

This program and position are eligible for the BC Student Loan Forgiveness Program. Click  here  for more information.

We appreciate all interest in this position; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted by the District.

School District 8 supports equity hiring for Indigenous applicants.

*If you are experiencing any technical issues with your application process to contact Make A Future’s customer service line as HR cannot upload or assist with these types of issues.

We also cannot accept documents via email such as cover letters/resumes/transcripts/teaching reports via email as they do need to be part of the employee’s Make a Future profile.