Cultural Educator (Early Years)

Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families is a multi service non-profit organization serving Inuit children and youth and their families. Inuuqatigiit Centre is dedicated to providing cultural, educational, and support services in a caring, respectful, and collaborative environment that fosters strong and proud Inuit children and families.

Position: Cultural Teacher –Full-time (Indeterminate)

Hours: 37.5 hours – Monday to Friday
Salary Range: $38,000 - $47,974 per annum + benefits

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Manager of Early Years, the Cultural Teacher plans and delivers a high quality and culturally-based Early Years program.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Foster knowledge of Inuit culture and language;

• Promote and advocate for the cultural relevance in the EY program and classroom activities;

• Speak and facilitate Inuktitut language development in the children and staff;

• Develop, collect, and maintain a wide selection of cultural teaching materials (resources) and activities for children in collaboration with teaching team;

• Plan and deliver activities that promote cultural knowledge, (e.g. qulliq, cultural circles, traditional games, etc.);

• Participate in regular staff meetings to share ideas, resources, and activities to promote cultural knowledge;

• Provide a stimulating, caring and culturally appropriate early learning environment for children;

• Be familiar with and follow the EY Program Statement;

• Share in the responsibility for planning, preparing, and implementing curriculum to foster child development a variety of group and individual activities;

• Participate fully and consistently as a team member in caring for the children and in the overall operation of the program and Inuuqatigiit Centre;

• Assist in the completion of weekly indoor/outdoor program plans to be posted in the classroom and distributed to parents on a weekly basis;

• Engage in positive collaboration with other programs and staff;

• Recognize and respond to the needs of each child by using developmentally appropriate teaching and child behaviour guidance strategies;

• In collaboration with team members, resolve issues that arise in delivery of EY program;

• Identify and report on concerns, issues and hazards related to the delivery of EY program to Manager of Early Years;

• Actively participate in annual performance review process;

• Assist ECE in observing, monitoring, and tracking each child’s individual progress and development in accordance with learning goals the program;

• In collaboration with the EY team and under the direction of the Manager of EY, identify children who need support;

• Assist in the implementation of the child assessment and documentation plan for the program, (e.g. ELECT, daily observations, child progress reports, parent-teacher interviews);

• Understand and adhere to all regulations of the Child Care Early Years Act, (e.g. child/staff ratios);

• Participate as a team member in supervising children in EY programs;

• Comply with all recording and reporting requirements (e.g. daily log, incident reports, medication  administration);

• Maintain program equipment in good repair and share responsibility for hygiene; and

• Sanitize the toys and common areas, in compliance with OPH health guidelines for COVID-19 protocols as required and outlined in policies and procedures;

• Develop positive relationships with children and parents and community; and

• Develop supportive and professional rapport at all times as are presentative of Inuuqatigiit Centre; and

• Act as a role model to promote professional values and ethics in reflection of the greater community and partners.

ACCOUNTABILITY

• Accountable for the well-being of children and staff;

• Adheres to all regulations of the Child Care Early Years Act and Inuuqatigiit Centre’s Policies and Procedures; and

• Keeps child, parent, family related information confidential at all times

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Develop positive relationships with children, parents, and community; and

• Develop supportive and professional rapport at all times as a representative of Inuuqatigiit Centre.

EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS

• Communicate as required with parents about child’s progress, including parent meetings, telephone calls, communication books, progress reports, Storypark and parent teacher interviews;

• Respond to parent enquiries on an on-going basis regarding their child’s progress or daily activities;

• Participate in centre tours to visitors and prospective families;

• Support the role of Elders and resource people in sharing traditional knowledge with children; and

• Provide Inuktitut translation for Early Years Program communication resources.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• Demonstrate stress resistance and stamina in caring for young children;

• Regular physical activity associated with program activities;

• Work regular and consistent weekly hours of work; and

•  Required to work occasional evening and weekend hours related to parent and community events.

• Mental effort is required to deal with stress related to safety and security of children, program delivery and communications with parents;

• Physical ability to access multi-story building and take care of children;

• Ensure personal safety precautions are observed at all times; and

• Ensure Public Health Guidelines for COVID-19 Pandemic are followed at all times.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Inuit descent required;

• High School education (diploma not required);

• Experience working with young children preferred

• Strong knowledge of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles, culture, and community;

• Written and spoken fluency in Inuktitut required;

• Enthusiasm, flexibility, dedication, and commitment to children;

• Knowledge of the needs of Inuit children and families;

• Ability to function effectively in a sometimes-high stress, high noise environment

• Police Vulnerable Sector Check required;

• Medical certification of good health;

• TB Test if applicable and other immunizations up-to-date;

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccine (Dose 1 & 2); and

• CPR / First Aid Certification (or willingness to become certified).

Please apply with cover letter and up-to-date resume before 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2021, to: hrmanager@inuuqatigiit.ca

Shelley Watkin, Human Resources Manager 

Inuuqatigiit Centre for Children, Youth & Families 

224 McArthur Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1L 6P5

We thank all who apply for this position. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.This position is dependent upon funding approval.