Job Title: Early Childhood Development Team Leader
Program: Indigenous Early Years
Status: 1.0 FTE (5 days/week), Full-time
Union Status: Included
Location: 717 Princess Ave, Vancouver, BC
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 4:30
Wages: $36.88/hourly
Deadline: Open until the position is filled

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society (VAHS) is a not-for-profit organization located in the Downtown Eastside community for over 30 years. VAHS programs are designed by and for urban Aboriginal people to promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Our services include a Primary Care Clinic, a Dental Clinic, a cultural team of Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous Early Years programs.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The VAHS Indigenous Early Years (IEY) Child and Family Support Program is a family-centered program and work in partnership with parents and/or caregivers to provide support and intervention to families with children. The Early Childhood Development Team Leader (ECD/TL) develops useful strategies to promote child development. Through outreach visits, the ECD\TL will provide developmental guidance, information and resources, assessments, referrals, and other culturally grounded supports for staff and families of the program.

The AID Team Leader is a full time position (40 hours/week) , with the hours generally being from 8:30 to 4:30 Monday to Friday, but with some flexibility to deliver programs one evening per week. This is a BCGEU-certified Union position with a starting wage of $36.88/hour), with benefits and pension available after three months.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Support AIDP consultants in maintaining a caseload of infants/children and families applying the professional standards and procedures outlined in the AIDP manual and the manual for Infant Development Programs of British Columbia
  • Develop networks and collaborate with community members, local agencies, community partner and professionals
  • Introducing the families to community resources which will be of benefit and assist the families to use these resources effectively
  • Support and help coordinate staff when facilitating various groups including: cultural, early literacy (Books, Bags and Babies) and wellness groups and child/parent specific
  • Assisting AIDP consultants and/or families in planning learning activities in the home and community which will encourage the growth and development of the infant
  • Referral of infants/young children to appropriate agencies / professionals for developmental support
  • Development, and community-based programming
  • Assesses infants/young children for actual or potential development delays
  • Provide direct and indirect support, training and mentoring to AIDP programs and staff.
  • Participate as a representative in the AIDP Provincial and AIDP Regional steering committee meetings and provide an AIDP Regional Advisor report to committee members
  • To work in partnership with the Office of the Provincial Advisor for Aboriginal Infant Development to bring awareness and valuable information to all the AIDP within the region; and to provide information to the Provincial office.
  • To provide support and planning for the annual fall and spring provincial in-service as needed.
  • Make AIDP program visits, if needed, to support AIDP staff and programs
  • Communicate with staff via phone calls and emails to answer all questions and concerns as they arise
  • Perform other related duties as required, based needs of the families, the program, and the community.

 Qualifications:

  • Minimum 2 years’ experience in AIDP, IDP or ECE field working with Aboriginal infants and toddlers that require extra support needs. Or equivalent experience working in Aboriginal/First Nations communities with young children essential
  • Demonstrated leadership/networking abilities in working with others and coordinating training / resources to strengthen capacity
  • Understanding of issues affecting infants and their families living in the Downtown Eastside
  • Experience working with Aboriginal families and knowledge of cultural and socio-economic issues
  • Experience working within a multi-interdisciplinary team
  • Group facilitation skills
  • A commitment to ongoing professional development with excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as basic computer skills including Microsoft Word and Outlook
  • Strong interpersonal and advocacy skills with the ability to advocate for AIDP services and supports when needed.
  • Proven leadership, coordination and organizational skills with the ability to follow through with tasks with minimal supervision.
  • A valid clear criminal record check (including working with vulnerable populations) is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

  • Knowledge of the stages of Infant/early childhood development
  • Working knowledge of Indigenous cultures, issues, and support services
  • Knowledge of working with children with disabilities and their families
  • Well-developed assessment skills, supportive counseling, and advocacy skills
  • Ability to foster strong relationships with families and community professionals
  • Working knowledge of local early childhood development/support resources
  • Strong interpersonal skills, and excellent oral, and written communication skills
  • Good organization, time, and general management skills
  • Knowledge of group process and facilitation techniques
  • Able to work as part of an effective team with other program staff, committee members, community members and other community professionals
  • Ability to work independently while managing concurrent tasks and deadlines, often under pressure
  • Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Outlook
  • Valid BC driver’s license and access to a safe, reliable vehicle

VAHS encourages all people with relevant professional, grassroots, education, and/or lived experience to apply, even if they do not meet all of the points listed. We look for people who are committed to ongoing learning and development, and we will train the successful candidate.

 INDIGENOUS WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

We strongly encourage people from under-represented communities to apply, including but not limited to: Indigenous, Black, and people of colour; disabled people; and 2SLGBTQIA+ people of all genders. In alignment with Section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) applicants are preferred. In your cover letter, please self-identify at your comfort level.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application or questions about this posting to: [email protected]
ATTN: Doreen Macfarlane, Senior Manager of Indigenous Early Years
Email Subject Line: Aboriginal Infant Development Worker Application

All VAHS job applications require a resume and a cover letter; please submit both in PDF format. Successful candidates will be required to complete a vulnerable sector Criminal Record Check.

VAHS thanks all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.