Early Learning and Child Care Specialist (Internal)- Education & Training Branch

Internal
Full-time

Location: Anywhere in Ontario
Remote Work: Flexible (both in-office and remote-work required)
Closes: August 31, 2023
Starting Salary: $59,670– $68,010, per year based on experience. Salary Range Max $77,580 [2023 Rates]

All applicants are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to qualified applicants who meet the requirements for MNO Citizenship as per the MNO Bylaws and who are in good standing.

What We Offer

As an employer, the Métis Nation of Ontario offers a collaborative work environment with competitive salary

Further, permanent employees benefit from:

• Comprehensive employer-paid health benefits,
• Pension plan,
• 10 days’ vacation to start,
• Annual paid two-week holiday closure in December-January,
• 16 paid public and employer holidays,
• Early closures on long weekends,
• 15 paid health & wellness days (sick leave),
• Employee Assistance Plan, and
• Telemedicine plan.
• Preferred membership pricing at Goodlife gyms.

The Role

As a subject matter expert, the Early Learning Specialist for programs and services will be responsible for: Working with the Manager of ELCC Programs and Services and the Supervisor of ELCC Special Projects on providing program delivery support for virtual and in-person events to ensure that ELCC programs are grounded in Métis-led early learning pedagogy, are developmentally appropriate and uphold standards of practice. The Early Learning Specialist will be responsible for developing resources and extensions to learning for ELCC programs that connect to inquiry-based learning and utilize foundational early learning documents.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

In-person events:

1. Ensuring consistent documentation within all programming rooms.
2. Working with ELCC staff to develop Métis-led pedagogy and inquiry-based learning.
3. Following ministry guidelines to set up child care and camps for ELCC & MNO events. This includes establishing child/educator ratios, room requirements, sleep/rest schedules, outdoor play, and dietary requirements.
4. When possible, ensure that the College of Early Childhood Educators Standards of Practice is followed at all ELCC & MNO events.
5. Developing & maintaining policy and procedure manuals for in-person ELCC events.
6. Acting site supervisor for all ELCC events if the manager or supervisor of ELCC programs and services are off-site (or vice-versa).
7. Working with the ELCC Camp Coordinator on-site for ELCC programs to ensure they meet ministry requirements and regulations for child care.
8. Facilitating workshops on Métis-led best practices for child care at the annual Early Learning Conference.
9. Provide and develop extensions to learning documents for in-person camp attendees. This may include reference documents for parents or activity guides for children, when appropriate.

Online programming:

1. Providing developmental and pedagogical support to ELCC Special Projects staff planning and hosting ELCC Virtual Socials.
2. Reviewing and supporting ELCC Special Projects staff on developing supporting documents for the Virtual Socials. This can include extensions to learning, connections to How Does Learning Happen, or ELECT.
3. Once supporting documents are created, the Early Learning Specialist will connect with the Curriculum Resource team to add grade 1-6 content and/or further develop the documents into educator lesson plans.
4. Work with the Special Projects supervisor to establish yearly work plans for virtual programming.
5. Provide guidance and support to the ELCC Camp Coordinator for virtual camps and workshops. This includes ensuring that programming is developmentally appropriate for the targeted age groups and extensions to learning documents are developed for camp attendees.
6. Provide guidance and support, when appropriate, to the Early Learning Education Support Advocate team and their virtual parent engagement sessions. This may include presenting as a content expert on Métis-led early learning.

Resource development:

1. Work with the ELCC Special Projects team on developing activity guides, learning documents, and extensions to learning for ELCC Kits for Métis families and/or Educators.
   1. Developed documents will connect directly to ELECT, How Does Learning Happen, and the Ontario Kindergarten Program Document.
   2. Developed documents will be focused on pedagogy and child developmental milestones and make strong connections to inquiry-based learning.
2. Working with ELCC staff to developing guiding reference documents for camps and ELCC events. This includes the development of staff protocols and procedures, as well as parent guides for Métis families.
3. The Early Learning Specialist, when appropriate, will work with the Curriculum and Resource team to extend documents to have a grade 1-6 curriculum focus.
4. When appropriate, the Early Learning Specialist and the Curriculum team will work together to ensure learning documents support both Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) and Ontario College of Teachers (OCTs) instructional needs.
5. If requested by the Ontario Ministry of Education, the Early Learning Specialist will provide reviews and feedback on learning documents for children 0-6.
6. Develop Métis-led learning documents and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in a related field
• At least 3 years of experience working in early learning resource & program development
• Demonstrated experience dealing with personal and confidential information and issues in a mature, tactful and diplomatic manner
• Demonstrated experience in quickly acquiring and expanding knowledge and being flexible in a demanding and dynamic environment
• Strong desire to act in the service of the Métis Citizens, to advance and uphold rights and culture
• Good Standing within the College of Early Childhood Educators
• Graduate of an Early Childhood Education or Child Development Program (college or university)
• Extensive knowledge of the following documents:
  • How Does Learning Happen?
  • Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT)
  • Ontario Kindergarten Program
  • College of Early Childhood Educators Standards of Practice
  • Child Care and Early Years Act
  • Child Care Licensing Manual
• Strong desire to act in the service of Métis Citizens to provide quality, Métis-led early learning programming
• Advanced communication skills, both written and verbal
• Superior organization skills and time/priority management to guide program delivery and resource development
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to motivate and work effectively with others

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 years or more experience working in the early years
• Previous 1-2 years or more experience in a role motivating/leading others
• Experience presenting and facilitating to a variety of audiences
• Demonstrated ability to connect to child development and adapt programming to suit a learner’s specific needs
• Experience in conflict resolution
• Knowledge of Métis history and culture.
• A Strong understanding of Métis needs within the early years in Ontario
• Knowledge of MNO Early Learning and Child Care Programs and services
• Experience working with Métis early learners and their families
• Familiarity with short and long term funding and partner agreements
• Ability to adapt and stay current to changes within early years landscape
• Strong writing skills for different target audiences (children, parents, educators, etc.)
• Ability to work within work plan deliverables and timelines
• Additional related experience specializing in early learning pedagogical practices considered an asset
• Bilingualism is considered an asset

Who We Are

In 1993, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) was established through the will of Métis people and Métis communities coming together throughout Ontario to create a Métis-specific governance structure and vision, encapsulated in the Statement of Prime Purpose. Today, the Métis Nation of Ontario represents over 25,000 Métis citizens.

The MNO delivers programs and services to its citizens through these branches: Healing and Wellness; Community Wellbeing; Education and Training; Housing; Lands, Resources and Consultation; Intergovernmental and Community Relations; Self-Government and Registry. Through these various branches, the MNO maintains 30+ offices and community spaces across the province, administers over $50 million annually, and employs about 350 staff across the province.

AODA Statement

The Métis Nation of Ontario commits to providing accommodation as required by the Ontario Human Rights Act, unless to do so would cause undue hardship. Accommodations will be provided in accordance with the principles of dignity, individualization, and inclusion. The Métis Nation of Ontario will work cooperatively and in the spirit of respect with all partners in the accommodation process. These accommodations will extend to all aspects of the employment relationship including recruitment and selection.

Please email humanresources@metisnation.org if you require an accommodation during the hiring process.

Please note, all employees, regardless of role or location, are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless the employee has a valid medical exemption.  This condition of employment is effective for all employees, full or part-time, permanent or contract, whether working remotely or not, as of November 1, 2021.