Senior Early Childhood Educator - River and Willows

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary:

Métis Family Services is excited to launch a brand-new childcare centre at Bridgeview Community Centre in Surrey, BC, one that is deeply rooted in Métis and Indigenous culture, values, and community. With a large attached outdoor play area and adjacent park area, our programming will focus on outdoor play and exploration and weaving traditional Métis and Indigenous culture and values into these. As a Senior Early Childhood Educator, you’ll lead a team in delivering inclusive, culturally grounded programming for children aged 0–5.

You’ll support children’s development through play, connection, and community collaboration.

Reports To: Childcare Facility Supervisor (River & Willows)

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Welcome families and guide them through our program philosophy and goals
• Act as manager in the absence of the manager
• Assist the manager in the completion of annual performance reviews for staff by providing feedback
• Adhere to and ensure compliance with licensing and regulatory requirements
• Plan and lead culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate activities
• Create individualized and group learning experiences based on children’s interests
• Attend to the children’s physical and emotional needs, including diapering, toileting, eating, sleeping, comforting and co-regulation.
• Collaborate with specialists to support children with diverse needs
• Maintain records, support transitions to school, and ensure licensing compliance
• Foster strong relationships with families and community partners
• Ensure a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment
• Support children’s daily routines and emotional regulation
• Collaborate with Elders and Knowledge Keepers
• Communicate with families in person, via email/phone
• Support ECE’s and ECE Assistants as needed
• With Manager, recommend referrals or additional services for children, and work in consultation with professionals such as behavioural therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists.
• Collaborate with a pedagogist (when available)
• Mentor practicum students/volunteer educators in the centre
• In alignment with licensing regulations, lead and mentor ECE’s and ECEA’s in performing program operations, consulting with the manager when needed.

Qualifications, Education and Experience:

• Early Childhood Education Diploma (required)
• Infant and Toddler ECE certificate (required)
• Special Needs ECE certificate (required)
• Valid BC Early Childhood Educator licence (required)
• Current Childcare First Aid and CPR Level C (required)
• FoodSafe certification (required)
• Minimum two years of recent related experience working with the infant/toddler age group in a licensed childcare program (required)

Job Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of BC Early Learning Framework, Métis Early Learning Framework, Indigenous Early Learning Framework
• Knowledge of BC Child Care Licensing Regulations and ability to plan and practice in accordance with them
• Strong understanding of child development
• Understanding of Métis/Indigenous cultures and urban Indigenous child and family needs
• Strong communication, leadership, and collaboration skills
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and manage the physical demands of the role
• Knowledge of Michif or other Indigenous languages is an asset

Additional Information:

This position requires the ability to function independently while managing the multiple needs of young children, working collaboratively with other adults, including effectively managing all situations, including emergencies. Program delivery activities may require a moderate level of physical fitness to effectively carry out the duties of the position.

Other Requirements:

• Criminal Record Check (vulnerable sector)
• Legal authorization to work a full-time job in Canada
• Hiring is subject to a positive reference check

Core Competencies:

Indigenous Relations Behavioural Competency

• Cultural Agility is the ability to work respectfully, knowledgeably, and effectively with Indigenous people. It is noticing and readily adapting to cultural uniqueness in order to create a sense of safety for all. It is openness to unfamiliar experiences, transforming feelings of nervousness or anxiety into curiosity and appreciation. It is examining one's own culture and worldview, and the culture of Métis Family Services, and to notice their commonalities, and distinctions with Indigenous cultures, and worldviews. It is recognition of the ways that personal and professional values may conflict or align with those of Indigenous people. It is the capacity to relate to or allow for differing cultural perspectives and being willing to experience a personal shift in perspective. Effectively to other people from diverse backgrounds with diverse views.

Additional Behavioural Competencies

• Teamwork and cooperation is the ability to work co-operatively with diverse teams, work groups, and across the organization to achieve group and organizational goals. It includes the desire and ability to understand and respond effectively to other people from diverse backgrounds with diverse views.
• Flexibility is the ability and willingness to adapt to and work effectively within a variety of diverse situations, and with diverse individuals or groups.  Flexibility entails understanding and appreciating different and opposing perspectives on an issue, adapting one’s approach as situations change and accepting changes within one’s own job or organization.
• Reflecting on difficulties is the ability to critically assess how one’s values, beliefs, ethics and culture influence decisions and relationships. An ability to demonstrate exemplary behaviour and curiosity regarding the perspectives of others results in appropriate boundaries and insightful practice.
• Service orientation implies a desire to identify and serve customers/clients, who may include the public, co-workers, other branches, other ministries/agencies, other government organizations, and non-government organizations. It means focusing one's efforts on discovering and meeting the needs of the customer/client.

Wages: Step 1: $30.75 per hour plus Wage Enhancement $3-$6/hour (contingent on availability of funding).

Benefits:

• 100% paid individual benefits
• Paid sick time/vacation
• Paid professional development available
• Staffing hours between 7 am and 6 pm, M-F
• 35-40 hours/week
• Municipal Pension Plan (MPP)
• Supportive, values-driven team
• Circle of Security Classroom training provided
• Cultural training and learning opportunities

Start date: As soon as possible.

Please apply for this position from our website at the following link https://www.metisfamilyservices.ca/opportunities

This position is in the process of being unionized.

Metis Family Services thanks all applicants for their interest in this career opportunity; however, only those considered for the position will be contacted. No telephone inquiries please.