Job Description

Associate Director of Child Care

Location: Métis Nation of Alberta Child Care Centre (Edmonton)
Closing Date: July 3, 2024, or until suitable candidate is found.
Position Status: Full Time (40 hrs per week), Permanent

The Organization
Since its inception in 1928, the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) has governed the Métis within Alberta. The MNA is led by a democratically elected Council. This Council works toward the mandate of the MNA, supporting practices of transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness for Métis Albertans in governments’ policy and decision-making processes. The MNA promotes and facilitates the advancement of Métis people through self-reliance, self-determination, and self-management. For more information about the MNA, visit http://www.albertametis.com.

The Opportunity
The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) is looking for an Associate Director of Child Care. Reporting directly to the Director of Children and Family Services, this dynamic leadership position will lead the development of the MNA’s Child Care Centre programs and services in alignment with MNA mandates, principles, and values. The Associate Director of Child Care will be responsible for the development and oversight of service delivery, administration, financial management, and overall operations of the MNA Child Care Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. Additionally, the Associate Director of Child Care will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with government, funders, external agencies, internal and external partners, and the larger Métis community as it relates to the MNA Child Care Centre and its services. The successful candidate will be a Level 3 Early Childhood Educator who is passionate about supporting Métis children and deepening their connection to community and culture. The Associate Director of Child Care will possess strong interpersonal and leadership skills with experience in community-based program development.

Key Responsibilities
• Facilitate the development of the MNA Child Care Centre in alignment with the MNA’s Early Learning and Child Care vision and guiding principles.
• Oversee and make decisions on the daily operations of the MNA Child Care Centre including program development and implementation, marketing, and people management.
• Develop and implement budgets, policies, and procedures to support the functional infrastructure of the MNA Child Care Centre.
• Maintain licensing and compliance requirements of staff and the MNA Child Care Centre facility.
• Coordinate the maintenance, cleanliness, and organization of the MNA Child Care Centre facility.
• Set and monitor the strategic direction for the MNA’s Child Care Centre, and negotiate contracts and agreements for the provision of programming and services, in collaboration with the MNA’s Director of Children and Family Services.
• Secure grant funding where applicable in collaboration with the Director and Senior Manager of the MNA Children and Family Services Department.
• Maintain financial integrity of the MNA Child Care Centre by providing MNA leadership and funders with required financial statements and narrative reports.
• Provide recommendations for MNA leadership to address concerns or opportunities.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including service providers, internal MNA departments, MNA affiliates, and community partners.
• Plan, implement, and oversee age-appropriate cultural activities and educational programs.
• Foster a safe and nurturing environment for children within the MNA Child Care Centre and provide care and supervision to children throughout the day.
• Maintain and coordinate communication with children’s families to strengthen relationships.
• Collaborate in staffing responsibilities and perform supervisory duties including hiring and training qualified child care workers, assigning job duties, and developing and overseeing staff work plans.
• Develop the staffing schedule and confirm required staffing ratios are met.
• Mentor team members through feedback, coaching, and formal evaluations, and provide effective leadership to the team.
• Maintain a high level of political awareness, cultural sensitivity, professionalism, and confidentiality in interactions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Other duties as required or assigned.

Skills & Competencies
• Strong caregiving skills and a genuine love for working with children.
• Culturally sensitive and compassionate.
• Experience with community-based program development and implementation.
• Proven track record of building collaborative partnerships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including government, social service providers, and community.
• Exceptional strategic planning skills, including an ability to establish short- and long-term plans to meet key objectives of projects/initiatives.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to deal with a wide range of individuals tactfully and diplomatically and produce professional documents and presentations that target and convey messages to different audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to strict confidentiality of sensitive information. High level of integrity, ethics, and professionalism.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to identify issues and implement creative and strategic solutions to overcome problems.
• Strong organizational, time management, planning and execution skills with the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic and changing environment, including a demonstrated ability of being adaptable and flexible to potentially changing needs.
• Recognized strength in leading and engaging teams and creating a culture that promotes development of individual and organizational capacity.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle tense and stressful situations.
• Experience using MS Office (Word, Excel, etc.) and Google Workspace (Google Docs, Google Forms, Google Sheets).
• Knowledge of licensing and accreditation regulations and requirements.
• Knowledge of Métis history, culture, and issues affecting Métis people. An in-depth understanding of the MNA and Métis culture is an asset.

Qualifications
• Master’s or post-secondary degree in Early Learning and Child Care, Education, or related field is required.
• Level 3 Early Childhood Educator Certification with knowledge of early childhood education principles and practices is a requirement.
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in a similar role is a requirement.
• Minimum five years’ experience in a leadership role, leading a team of direct reports.
• Experience with work plans, budgets, financial and activity reporting, and drafting processes, policies, and procedures.
• CPR and First Aid certifications are an asset.
• Food Handling Training is an asset.

Other Requirements
• Ability to work office hours of Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Travel within Alberta is a requirement. Additional out-of-province travel will also occur, with notice.
• Reliable transportation and valid Class 5 drivers’ license.
• Acceptable attainment and annual maintenance of a Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Check and an Intervention Record Check is required.

What We Offer
• An opportunity to work for the newly ratified Otipemisiwak Métis Government and be a part of the largest Indigenous Government in Canada.
• An opportunity to learn about Métis culture, languages, and art.
• Meaningful work in a fun and supportive work environment.
• Training and professional development opportunities.
• A comprehensive benefit package and employer contributions to Pension Plan.
• 3 weeks paid vacation.

To apply for this opportunity, please apply online at http://albertametis.com/careers/

The Métis Nation of Alberta thanks all applicants for their interest. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Required languages: English

Education level: Bachelor's Degree

Required skills: Strong caregiving skills and a genuine love for working with children. • Culturally sensitive and compassionate. • Experience with community-based program development and implementation. • Proven track record of building collaborative partnerships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including government, social service providers, and community. • Exceptional strategic planning skills, including an ability to establish short- and long-term plans to meet key objectives of projects/initiatives. • Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to deal with a wide range of individuals tactfully and diplomatically and produce professional documents and presentations that target and convey messages to different audiences. • Demonstrated ability to adhere to strict confidentiality of sensitive information. High level of integrity, ethics, and professionalism. • Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to identify issues and implement creative and strategic solutions to overcome problems. • Strong organizational, time management, planning and execution skills with the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously. • Ability to thrive in a dynamic and changing environment, including a demonstrated ability of being adaptable and flexible to potentially changing needs. • Recognized strength in leading and engaging teams and creating a culture that promotes development of individual and organizational capacity. • Ability to work under pressure and handle tense and stressful situations. • Experience using MS Office (Word, Excel, etc.) and Google Workspace (Google Docs, Google Forms, Google Sheets). • Knowledge of licensing and accreditation regulations and requirements. • Knowledge of Métis history, culture, and issues affecting Métis people. An in-depth understanding of the MNA and Métis culture is an asset.

Closest intersection: TBD