Director of Mi'kmaw Services (Designated)

Government of Nova Scotia; Nova Scotia; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Government of Nova Scotia is seeking a Director of Mi'kmaw Services to provide strategic leadership within the education system aimed at supporting Mi'kmaw and Indigenous learners. This role requires collaboration with government levels, advocacy for Indigenous education, and effective management of resources. Ideal candidates should possess a strong educational background, exceptional communication skills, and a deep understanding of Mi’kmaw cultures. Enjoy competitive salary ranges, career development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Health, Dental, Life Insurance

Employee and Family Assistance Programs

Career Development and Training

Engaging workplace

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or professional designation in a related discipline.
• Extensive experience as a leader and manager.
• Deep understanding of Mi’kmaw ways of being and knowing.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and support to develop, implement and evaluate initiatives for Mi'kmaw Services.
• Advise senior leadership on Mi'kmaw policy and agreements.
• Manage the Mi’kmaw Services Branch budget effectively.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Change management

Resource management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related discipline

Master's degree (asset)

Job description

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 supports the Executive Director of the Mi'kmaw Services Branch in providing overall strategic 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 of the Mi’kmaw Services Branch, the Senior Executive Director, 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.

Further, the Director will 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.
• Additionally, the Director will be responsible for ongoing direction and implementation of the Treaty Education framework and have considerable knowledge of best practices that can support growing understandings of the importance of Treaty Education for all students.

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have a bachelors’ degree or a professional designation in a related discipline with extensive experience as a leader and a manager of people. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. A master's degree would be considered an asset. 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 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.

You have a deep understanding of Mi’kmaw ways of being and knowing and have experience collaborating with Indigenous communities.

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.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using on or more of the following tools : oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

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.

Based on the employment status, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as aDefined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here : Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• The Mi’kmaw Services Branch offers a unique work experience, with a main office in Halifax and a 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

• The location of this vacancy is flexible, and it may be based in either Halifax or Membertou.
• A Valid Driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle required for job-related travel.

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.
• Countless Career Paths for Nova Scotians.

Pay Grade : EC 13 Salary Range : $4,;- $5,;Bi-Weekly