Aboriginal Supported Child Development Consultant (or Sr Consultant) in Saanich, British Columbia at Victoria Native Friendship Centre

Working as part of the VNFC Aboriginal Supported Child Development and Neurodiversity (ASCDN) Team and reporting directly to the ASCDN Team Manager, the Aboriginal Supported Child Development (ASCD) Consultant provides outreach services to Indigenous, First Nations and Métis children with extra needs living in urban settings and caregivers in supporting the optimal physical, cognitive, emotional, spiritual and cultural development of their children.

As an ASCD Consultant, job duties include the following:

· Developing working relationships with families, providing them with information on child development and other community resources; supporting families in assessing and choosing services for their children and in self-advocacy.

· Conducting childcare setting observations and gathering information on children who require extra support.

· Determining the children’s type and level of support needs in consultation with parents, childcare providers and other professionals.

· Developing child-specific, family-centred and developmentally appropriate individual plans in conjunction with parents and childcare providers and in accordance with the choices, priorities and goals identified by the parents and/or childcare providers.

· Supporting childcare providers’ inclusion of children who require extra support by performing duties such as supporting the development and implementation of inclusive philosophies, practices, policies and procedures, providing onsite, child-specific training, consultation and modelling, and providing information on childcare and community resources.

· Evaluating the children’s progress, reviewing the level of support needs and individual plans, and ensuring that services are coordinated, appropriate and accessible.

· Maintaining comprehensive, up-to-date files for each child, supporting a caseload of approximately 20 children ensuring necessary forms and consents are complete; preparing reports as requested by families and professionals.

· Maintaining and reporting monthly statistical data, meeting with Director of Early Childhood Supports for clinical supervision and case reviews.

· Developing, locating and providing information to families and childcare providers and groups on topics related to inclusive childcare and children who require extra support through workshops, presentations and written materials.

· Maintain client confidentiality.

As a member of the VNFC Team, job duties include the following:

· Document and report activity in alignment with VNFC practices and support internal and external reporting as required including maintaining accurate case management, file recording and monthly reporting systems.

· Attend relevant professional training and meetings when directed.

· Participate in staff development, staff meetings and department meetings, and VNFC additional programs including other community and cultural events as required.

· Participate in data collection and evaluation tasks as requested.

Familiarity and experience in Indigenous Communities

• Some knowledge of Indigenous cultures and practices including from the territory in which the work of VNFC takes place. Ability to speak about one’s own Indigenous culture, if applicable, and any communities the (prospective) employee has previously lived in or held jobs within.

• In depth knowledge of the experience of Indigenous peoples in Canada including the ongoing processes of colonization, discrimination, and structural violence, and the effects on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous communities; understanding of the wellness and healing capacities of Indigenous cultural resiliency and resurgence.

• Knowledge and practice of providing community-based services to Indigenous peoples using philosophies of cultural humility and cultural safety.

Communication Skills and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with the ability to successfully develop and maintain relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders

• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to independently write reports, electronic correspondence, and other forms of professional communication.

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients and the general public

• Ability to read, process and integrate findings into practice from a range of resources including peer-reviewed literature and governmental reports.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 including Word, Excel, and Outlook a requirement.

Leadership Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work independently and be part of an integrated community team and in partnership with a variety of agencies.

• Ability to multi-task while remaining composed and maintaining a professional attitude in high stress situations.

Program Abilities and Knowledge

• Ability to practice using philosophies of cultural safety and humility, and trauma informed care.

• Knowledge and ability to work ethically and maintain professional boundaries when working with vulnerable clients.

• Knowledge of family-centered practice, child development, early intervention, family support, inclusive childcare and community-based services.

• Skills in administering a range of formal and informal developmental assessment tools.

• Physical requirement, the incumbent must spend a major portion of the work hours standing, walking, and/or sitting and have the ability to lift program equipment and supplies for program delivery.

Education

• Possess a Bachelor Degree in Child and Youth Care, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Education or related field OR possess an Early Childhood Education Certificate and/or Diploma, First Nations Family Support Diploma, Diploma in Child and Youth Care or equivalent.

• Recognized course(s) related to position, particularly any focused on cultural safety and humility; or equivalent lived and/or professional experience

Work Experience

• A minimum of two to five years in childcare and/or social services organization with direct responsibility for childcare

• Experience working with Indigenous families, First Nations communities and non-profit organizations

• Preference for past experience working in an Indigenous serving organization or community setting.

Licenses and/or Certificates

• Valid BC Driver’s license

• Clean Driver’s record

• First Aid certification

Other

• Access to a reliable vehicle

• Required to provide current vulnerable sector criminal record check