Community Pedagogical Advisor

About the role

**Location**

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Location: Thorold, ON

**Division**

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Children's Services **Important Notices \& Amendments**

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**This position** **currently falls within our hybrid model****, allowing the employee to** **typically** **work** **a minimum of** **50% of** **your** **time** **at your regular work location and the other 50% of time at home.**

As an employer of choice, Niagara Region offers competitive salaries and benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, a corporate wellness centre, access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), mentorship and training programs, employee recognition programs, and more. In addition, the Region recognizes the value of having flexible work arrangements to support better work\-life balance for our employees. Hybrid work arrangements may vary from one employee to another and may also differ in the number of remote workdays. These opportunities remain subject to the alignment of operational needs, business requirements, and customer service expectations.

**Important Notices \& Amendments**

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* Applicant required to be fluent in French and English (bilingual). Some site visits will require CPA to communicate in French with staff. * Daily travel to contracted child care programs within the Niagara Region is required

**Job Description**

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**Job Summary** ===============

Salary Pending Review

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 advise on inclusion and quality practices within child care and EarlyON settings (25% of time)*

* Conduct regular site visits to assigned sites to: meet with Inclusion Quality Consultants, site supervisors and agencies to support programs; assess the Inclusion Resource Services Model in practice; assess conditions of quality; provide feedback about programs improvements needed and provide guidance to support progression towards identified inclusion and quality goals * Provide in\-classroom support to promote inclusive and developmentally appropriate environments using a coaching approach and reflective practice * Work regularly with the assigned sites leadership team and IQCs to gather feedback and needs for professional learning or system tools and resources * Support with conflict resolution related to Inclusion Resource Services Model between centres, agencies and families * Advise IQC and site supervisors at assigned sites on complex and inter\-disciplinary cases

*Act as the liaison between Niagara’s Children’s Services, the early years and child care sector and community agencies to ensure accountability and transparency in service delivery (25% of time)*

* Lead the development and implementation of training for assigned agencies regarding reporting, policies and procedures, best practices and service system expectations * Develop, maintain and support professional relationships with community partners. This may include working with agencies to coordinate and lead meetings, sharing information, ideas and other communications across service agencies for consistent messaging and training * Work with interdepartmental staff to identify opportunities for collaboration to meet the diverse needs of families in Niagara and lead action planning for complex cases * Coordinate and lead discussions with community partners to provide wraparound supports for families and children where needed * Collaborate with primary capacity builder (ECCDC) to develop a professional learning plan that is evidence\-informed and responsive to the gaps and needs of the early years and child care sector * Attend centre staff meetings at assigned sites to facilitate collaboration, build relationships with staff and represent Niagara Region

*Establishes and implements performance, service standards and benchmarks for reviewing the effectiveness and integrity of program delivery. (15% of time)*

* Develop and implement performance measurement practices, frameworks, policies, dashboards and tools that are effective in monitoring and reporting on Inclusion Resource Services Model and Quality objectives and outcomes * Support the monitoring, analysis and interpretation of data for the purpose of reporting and tracking performance, contract compliance and auditing * Apply business process improvement methodologies to ensure best practice, performance\-based, client\-centered service delivery models are designed and implemented to enhance and improve services on a continuous basis * Ensure contract and funding compliance and support decisions related to funding for assigned agencies within the scope of the Inclusion Resource Services Model

Special Requirements

* Must maintain ability to travel in a timely manner to other offices, work locations or sites as authorized by the Corporation for business reasons. * In accordance with the Corporate Criminal Record Check Policy, the position requires the incumbent to undergo a Criminal Records Check and submit a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate for the vulnerable sector. * Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values.

**Shift Information**

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Currently scheduled Monday\-Friday, 8:30am \- 4:30pm

**About Us**

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Serving a diverse urban and rural population of more than 475,000, Niagara Region is focused on building a strong and prosperous Niagara. Working collaboratively with 12 local area municipalities and numerous community partners, the Region delivers a range of high\-quality programs and services to support and advance the well\-being of individuals, families and communities within its boundaries. Nestled between the great lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara peninsula features some of Canada’s most fertile agricultural land, the majesty of Niagara Falls and communities that are rich in both history and recreational and cultural opportunities. Niagara boasts dynamic modern cities, Canada’s most developed wine industry, a temperate climate, extraordinary theatre, and some of Ontario’s most breathtaking countryside. An international destination with easy access to its binational U.S. neighbour New York State, Niagara attracts over 14 million visitors annually, as well as a steady stream of new residents and businesses.

At Niagara Region, we value diversity \- in background and experience. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aspire to hire and grow a workforce reflective of the diverse community we serve. By doing so, we can deliver better programs and services across Niagara.

We welcome all applicants! For more information about diversity, equity, and inclusion at Niagara Region, *Diversity, Equity and Inclusion \- Niagara Region, Ontario*or email related questions to diversity@niagararegion.ca. To send input on reducing barriers in the current hiring process, please email myhr@niagararegion.ca

For the Region's full employee equity statement, Working at Niagara Region \- Niagara Region, Ontario.

While specific qualifications are important for certain roles, we invite individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. Our recruiters will evaluate your suitability for the role.

**Closing Statement**

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Uncover the wonder of the Niagara Region and join a team dedicated to meeting tomorrow’s challenges TODAY!

Let us know why you would be an excellent team member by submitting your online application.

We thank all candidates for their interest however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We confirm that we do not use AI in screening of applicants, and this position is an existing vacancy.

If you require an accommodation for the application process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the alternate formats for contacting us are as follows:

* Email: myhr@niagararegion.ca * Phone: 905\-980\-6000 or 1\-800\-263\-7215 * Bell Relay: 1\-800\-855\-0511 * In\-person: Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON L2V 4T7 – Human Resources Department