Department: Education & Early Childhood Development
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: Exclusion – Non Union – NSPG
Closing Date: 5/17/2021 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
Designation Status
Under the Government of Nova Scotia’s Employment Equity Policy, this position is designed for those applicants who self-identity as an Mi’kmaq/ Person. If you are a member of this equity group, you must self-identify during the application process, to be considered.
Preference may be given to those who identity specifically as Mi’kmaw and / or reside in a Mi’kmaw community in Nova Scotia.
About Us
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is leading the transformation of the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) and public education system in Nova Scotia. This will provide children and families with a strong foundation for lifelong success and well-being. Nova Scotia regulates, funds, and provides policy and program support to early learning and child- care programs, and other key partners, across Nova Scotia to develop and sustain quality early learning and child- care programs province-wide.
About Our Opportunity
The Director of Mi’kmaw Services, is accountable to support the Executive Director of the Mi’kmaw Services Branch in providing overall stategic and operational leadership in all aspects of the programs offered by EECD as they pertain to Mi’kmaw and Indigenous learners. The Director serves as an advocate within EECD for the needs of Mi’kmaw and Indigenous learners of all stages and levels of learning, As such, Etuaptmumk / Two-Eyed Seeing (E/TES) is a key guiding principle for this work and the Director must be knowledgeable about this as well as Mi’kmaw ways of being and knowing.
The Director will advise the Executive Director, Mi’kmaw Services Branch, the Deputy Minister and Minister on policy and agreements pertaining to Mi’kmaw matters. The Director will be responsible for supporting the Executive Director, Mi’kmaw Services Branch in working collaboratively with all levels of government; federal, Mi’kmaw, and Regional Education Centers for Education and CSAP.
Work collaboratively with the Executive Director of Mi’kmaw Services Branch and with Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey and establish linkages with all educational partners, other government departments, federal government departments, and community agencies to enhance education programs, services, and opportunities for Mi’kmaw learners and Mi’kmaw communities by addressing early learning and P-12 issues affecting Mi’kmaw and Indigenous students.
This position reports to the Executive Director, Mi’kmaw Services Branch, EECD.
Primary Accountabilities
Provide leadership, strategic direction, and support to develop, implement and evaluate the initiatives, programs and services of the Mi’kmaw Services Branch and EECD to ensure well-being and high levels of achievement for all Mi’kmaw and Indigenous learners in the system
Provide advice to the Executive Director, Mi’kmaw Services Branch, and Branches across EECD and assist and provide advice to the Directors Forum on issues affecting Mi’kmaw people
Represent the Department in the promotion of positive relationships between the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and Mi’kmaw communities in order to facilitate discussions to identify issues, develop solutions and action plans with respect to Mi’kmaw education in Nova Scotia.
Represent the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development on the Mi’kmaw/Nova Scotia/Canada/Tripartite Forum in its mandate to strengthen relationships and to resolve outstanding issues of mutual concern.
Promote public knowledge and support for the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s policies, programs and services for Mi’kmaw learners and Mi’kmaw communities through communication and interpretation of policies, procedures, objectives, and expected outcomes for school boards, universities, advocacy groups, business and industry, and the public.
Ensure the effective management of human and financial resources by setting and evaluating staff performance targets, promoting diversity and a healthy workplace, demonstrating the leadership competencies, respecting corporate human resources practices, promoting teamwork and individual development, maintaining internal communication, monitoring revenues and expenditures, adhering to procurement guidelines, acquiring goods and services in the most cost effective manner, and accurately forecasting budget requirements for the fiscal year.
Manage the Mi’kmaw Services Branch budget effectively and in accordance with the financial practices set out by the Financial Services Branch and Department of Finance
Qualifications and Experience
This may be the right opportunity for you if you have, at minimum, a bachelors’ degree or a professional designation in a related discipline with extensive experience as a leader and a manager of people, or a Masters’ degree plus 3 years experience. Equivalences such as a combination of course work and/or volunteer experience related to education, community engagement and/or policy and program development will also be considered.
You will also possess exceptional interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to establish genuine and collaborative relationships with colleagues both within the organization and externally with service providers and other community-based and government stakeholders. You have experience leading teams through change, using various change management skills and processes.
You have experience providing advice and developing recommendations to senior leadership, including the preparation of information and briefing notes, data and written reports, and presentations. You are a demonstrated leader, strategic planner, team player, and independent thinker. You are well organized, capable of prioritizing and delegating high level work under tight timelines and you exercise sound judgement under pressure. You are organized and flexible, with the ability to motivate, multi-task, and manage resources. Your excellent speaking and writing skills allow you to communicate information through various succinct methods, accurately and efficiently.
A working knowledge of the Education Act, the Teacher Certification Regulations, the Governor-in-Council Education Act Regulations, the Teachers’ Provincial (Collective) Agreement, teacher certification content and professional standards, and the Public School Program.
Leadership competencies required at this level of work are: Decisiveness, Strategic Orientation, Developing Others, Team Leadership, Self-Awareness and Personal Impact, Effective Interactive Communication, Partnering and Relationship Building, and Intercultural and Diversity Proficiency.
Equivalency
An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.
Benefits
Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.
Working Conditions
The Mi’kmaw Services Branch offers a unique work experience, with a main office in Halifax and secondary office in Membertou.
The position requires successful and effective management of teams in remote work environments, along with the ability to build cohesiveness within the various teams being led.
Additional Information
Valid Driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle required for job-related travel.
We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using on or more of the following tools: oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.
What We Offer
Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
Mentorship through iNSpire; a new formal, interdepartmental mentorship program that connects employees so they can gain knowledge and experience to support their career development.
Countless Career Paths for Nova Scotians.
Department Specific Flexible working schedules.
Pay Grade: EC 13
Salary Range: $3,705.20 – $4,642.15 Bi-Weekly
Employment Equity Statement:
Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.
Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to [email protected].
Apply Now
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