Community Pedagogical Advisor

Position Details

• Department: Children's Services
• Worksite: Headquarters Campbell East
• Work Location Type: Hybrid
• Standard Hours: 35.00 / week
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Location: Thorold, ON

Job Title: Community Pedagogical Advisor

Reporting to the Supervisor of Community Pedagogy and Quality, the Community Pedagogical Advisor is responsible for building capacity throughout the early years and child care sector by providing support, guidance, and regular engagement to early years and childcare providers within the community to achieve high-quality, inclusive early years and child care programming. The Community Pedagogical Advisor acts as a liaison between the early years and childcare sector, and Niagara Region, supporting supervisors, managers and agencies to facilitate planning and priority setting across special needs resourcing and quality programming.

The Community Pedagogical Advisor provides support, coordination, and guidance across the Inclusion Resource Service Model on behalf of Niagara Region to integrate, coordinate, and provide linkages across the system for Special Needs Resourcing, Quality, Professional Learning and system oversight.

Education

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in a Human Services related field, such as Early Childhood Studies, Child Development, Social Science, or a related field
• Member in good standing of the Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECE)
• Resource Consultant certificate or equivalent (i.e. Autism and Behavioural Sciences) considered an asset

Knowledge Skills

• At least 3 years of relevant experience working as a RECE in the early years and child care sector
• Experience working as a Resource Consultant or in a similar role supporting children with unique and special needs considered an asset
• Comprehensive knowledge of legislative documents and frameworks such as the Child Care and Early Years Act and How does Learning Happen?
• Extensive knowledge of the conditions required to achieve and sustain high-quality early learning and child care programs and pedagogical practices
• Demonstrated understanding of the early years and child care sector and the role of the Service System manager. Strong knowledge of community programs and familiarity of local area an asset
• Strong understanding of centre-based and licensed home child care, EarlyON Child Care and Family Centres and other early learning programs and services
• Effective interpersonal and relationship-building skills to work collaboratively with internal and external partners
• Ability to collect, interpret, and analyze data, and ability to use the information to identify trends and provide recommendations
• Possess strong written and oral communication skills combined with highly developed analytical, conceptual, technical, and interpersonal skills, personal integrity and professional commitment
• Experience in knowledge translation techniques (i.e. knowledge exchange, learning and information sharing tools), capacity-building efforts, and keeping abreast of best practices
• Proven experience working in project teams and able to liaison with community agencies, staff, senior leadership, divisions, departments and the public
• Exceptional time management and project management skills
• Advanced proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, 365)
• Proficiency in Provincial data bases such as OCMS/OMS an asset

Responsibilities

• Build capacity within assigned programs and agencies (licensed child care, licensed home child care and EarlyON) related to inclusion, inclusive practices, and the foundations of How does Learning Happen? (35%)
• Oversee and ensure a consistent, high-level of quality in early years and child care in line with metrics and targets set by Niagara Region
• Engage regularly with early years and child care providers using excellent observation, coaching, consultation and communication skills
• Conduct regular general classroom observations and consultations through a lens of quality and inclusion
• Support the development of program specific goals that align with How does Learning Happen?, diversity equity and inclusion, and the capacity framework
• Build capacity in early years’ programs through on-site professional learning, side-by-side mentorship and advising, and a variety of teaching techniques, including observations, modeling, active listening, and questioning.
• Offering ongoing communication, feedback, support, and consultation to Supervisors regarding efficient and effective programming and service delivery
• Provide information, research, and documentation to enhance childcare staff’s ability to implement Learning Plans, goals, and strategies
• Work alongside Inclusion Quality Coordinators (IQCs) to provide support and advice
• Daily travel to contracted child care programs within the Niagara Region is required
• Applicant required to be fluent in French and English (bilingual). Some site visits will require CPA to communicate in French with staff.