About Us

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) is leading the transformation of the early years and public education system in Nova Scotia. We are doing this by designing an innovative curriculum, facilitating excellence in teaching and learning, ensuring an inclusive education experience, and working closely with our partners in education. This will provide children, students, and families with a strong foundation for success. This department is a perfect fit for those that want to be part of the future of public education in the province by supporting student learning in a progressive and responsive policy environment.

Nova Scotia has made a commitment to Inclusive Education through the provision of a high-quality, culturally, and linguistically responsive, and equitable public education. We know that we can’t do this alone. SchoolsPlus is a comprehensive, collaborative and integrated service delivery approach focused on meeting the needs of children and families with the school at the centre of service delivery. Working across government departments, agencies and partners in collaboration with children youth and families helps to promote innovation, ensures seamless service delivery, and reduces barriers to participation. Together we are able to have a collective impact on the wellbeing and achievement of Nova Scotia’s learners.

About Our Opportunity

As part of the Student Equity and Support Services Branch, you will work with the SchoolsPlus/Integrated Services Division to provide direction and integrated leadership to the Regional Centres for Education (RCEs) and le conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) regarding the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies, guidelines, programming, and services that support the academic achievement and well-being of children and youth receiving a continuum of child welfare services.

The Child and Youth Inclusion Consultant, under the direction of the Director of SchoolsPlus-Integrated Services, will work within an inclusive and culturally responsive framework to support the delivery of accessible school-based services in collaboration with children and youth, caregivers, other government departments, NGOs, school-based and regional staff. The consultant provides direct support to ensure seamless transitions across services for families and learners, coordinates communication processes to inform professional learning and policy updates that impact learners in a range of learning settings, provides information for senior leadership regarding resource allocation and monitors impacts and fidelity of services in relation to inclusive education. The incumbent will work closely with the Student Services division and across all branches within the department to leverage resources and ensure alignment with EECD policies and inclusive services.

Primary Accountabilities

• Working directly with key partners in the Department of Community Services including provincial and regional staff
• Promoting restorative school-based interventions that reduce barriers to service delivery, increase innovation and align with Nova Scotia’s Inclusive Education Policy
• Engaging community including children and youth, families, foster parents, adoptive parents, group-based care providers, and allied agencies to ensure responsiveness to first voice identified needs
• Providing professional learning support to a range of inclusive education roles across the public education system
• Representing the department on inter-agency committees and working groups related to the wellbeing and achievement of child welfare supported learners

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate you will have a Bachelor’s in Education, Masters Degree in Education, plus eight (8) years of related including demonstrated competencies in developing and delivering professional development, programs, services and initiatives to enhance student success.

Experience is required in working with teachers and regional centres for education and CSAP staff in the areas of program planning, well-being, human rights education, equity, accessibility, and culturally responsive teaching. You work well independently, and in team environments you apply the concepts of equity, diversity, and inclusive practice to all areas of your work and will support your colleagues to do the same. You have extensive knowledge in the principles of inclusive education, specifically for students and families who experience barriers to participation. You can build productive relationships with non-governmental and governmental members (both internally and externally). When dealing with colleagues, you exercise tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
You are proficient using Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), have strong interpersonal, communication (written and verbal), organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy while balancing priorities.

In addition, you also possess the following:
Knowledge of Nova Scotia’s Inclusive Education Policy and child and youth services across government and community that focus on students’ well-being and development, learning and achievement, relationships and connections with caregivers, and opportunities for career and employment planning.
An understanding of the Child and Family Services Act and the range of services available to children and youth supported across the child welfare continuum.
Extensive knowledge of the philosophical approaches/models related to inclusion, family centered practice, trauma responsiveness, and community collaboration.

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

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and Union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.

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.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.