Interim Education Director Job Posting:

Under the general supervision of the Band Manager, the Director of Education will provide support to matters related to education by overseeing the education K-12, adult training and daycare development activities of the organization, which includes, but is not limited to, developing, updating, planning, and implementing education and post secondary programming. The Interim Director is required to perform all duties consistent with the governance values and operating policies of Thessalon First Nation while fostering positive relations with staff, students, educational partners and the community; contributing to a culturally supportive teaching, learning and work environment consistent with our community. Further, you will ensure all adult training and development programs are developed or purchased cost-effectively, assessing the return on investment of all programs to ensure maximum benefit to the community, employees and the organization.

This position supports the institutional creation and maintenance of a student centric campus culture, in alignment with the mission, vision, and values of Thessalon First Nation. This role is also chiefly responsible for the oversight of compliance and regulation associated with enrollment and registration practices of the partner institution.

Strategic Initiatives:

• Leading development, vision, strategy, administration, and operational planning activities for the Education department; ensuring alignment with and support of Thessalon First Nation educational strategic goals.
• Maintaining awareness of current trends within elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education provincially, nationally, and internationally, and interpreting and predicting how prevalent forces and factors influence students.
• Monitoring registration best practices to plan for continuous improvement of the services provides.
• Meeting regularly and work closely with other senior managers to collaboratively enhance service provision.
• Supporting data-informed, strategic enrolment planning and management, as it aligns with Thessalon First Nation Education mission and vision.
• Accountability for the effective administration of all student reporting, including governmental reporting related to student enrolment.
• Providing direction and oversight for all student retention, success activities and budgeting.
• Collaborating and advising the academic team; identifying, evaluating, and modifying strategic enrolment management goals, while taking internal and external forces that may influence the direction of Thessalon First Nation students into account.
• Ensuring appropriate infrastructure is in place to support the full scope of service the Education department provides is appropriate to the scale of the student success and the scope of Thessalon First Nation delivery activities.
• Reviewing the effectiveness of policies, systems and procedures which support the creation, maintenance, preservation, and accurate reporting of student data.
• Ensuring the integrity of unit management related to student records, and applicable student records and privacy procedures.
• Responsibility for complete and accurate student data upon which KPI's indicate success is assessed, claims for operating funds are completed from partner agencies, and internal planning and analysis processes are based.
• Leading and providing oversight for effective administration of all financial assistance and financial operational management relative to budget allotments.
• Collaborating with Information Systems management to ensure student focused software selection and policy development is implemented.
• Providing oversight for the ongoing functional development, and integrity, of the Thessalon First Nation Student Information System.

Management of Student Priorities:

• Collaborating and advising institutional departments on all relevant policies impacting students and postsecondary and trades student experience.
• Increasing student engagement with partners by fostering a vibrant school spirit that is nurtured in all interactions.
• Accountability for matters pertaining to campus wellness, student environment, community, and emerging student policy trends and themes.
• Intervening in individual student concerns as necessary; finding solutions to reported and escalated matters, and/or offering explanations / expert guidance in problem situations.
• Ensuring a student focused approach to all services, as informed by Thessalon First Nation student needs, best practice guidelines and research, and quality assurance measures as required.
• Developing and implementing student advising and student support methodologies.
• Ensuring that student support areas (e.g., financial aid, tutoring etc.) are integrated to support effective and coordinated advising throughout student lifecycle with the intended goal of student success and retention.
• Collaborating and implementing KPIs to document student initiatives and measure outcomes (retention, student evaluations, and graduation success);
• Enhancing collaboration across units and services to increase positive student outcomes.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of a Bachelor of Education or Master of Education is an asset.

• At least 5 years of management experience in the Education Field, including 3 years of classroom experience and 2 years of supervisory experience, or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the role successfully.
• A comprehensive understanding of First Nations K-12, post-secondary and adult education and First Nations issues in Ontario.
• Able to plan and implement instructional programs, and the ability to relate to students of various ages and cognitive abilities.
• Experience in managing fiscal resources including development/evaluation of business plans, budgets and reporting.
• Experience in education administration with an in-depth knowledge of principles, techniques, and training methods used in education from preschool to grade 12.
• Experience with using computers and related software applications, learning technology software, and other tools (web-based data storage programs, E-learning systems, video streaming, use of social media and current technologies, etc.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advance knowledge, skills and abilities related to postsecondary acumen, and localizing these understandings within a Anishinaabe learning community.
• Excellent communication skills with an emphasis on written expression (i.e., faultless spelling and grammar, and professional style).
• Sound interpersonal skills including communication, organization, negotiation, confidentiality and professional judgement.
• Demonstrated competencies in strategic thinking, coordination, analysis, policy development, and change management.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage schedules and timelines.
• Capacity to work both independently and in a team setting, demonstrating the Anishnaabe values of our people
• Contributing to a culturally supportive teaching, learning and work environment consistent with our Anishinaabe values.

Salary Pay Band Range

$80 000.00 – $100 000.00

Should you be interested in joining our dynamic team:

Please submit your cover letter and biography to our hiring committee: c/o Christine King email: [email protected] by October 30, 2024.

Contract end date: March 29, 2025.

Thank you to all applicants for your interest. Applications are screened against predetermined selection criteria and the candidates whose application meet the criteria are selected to participate further in the evaluation process. Only those candidates invited to continue in the recruitment process will be contacted.

Disclaimer

• The above job description is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, working conditions or skills required for this position. Thessalon First Nation reserves the right to modify job duties or the job description at any time