Job Description

Competition # : 40315

Department: Education & Early Childhood Development

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Term

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: \xe2\x80\x8b15-Sep-23 \xe2\x80\x8b (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

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 early learning and 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 early learning and public education in the province by supporting student learning in a progressive and responsive policy environment.

About Our Opportunity

EECD is committed to building a strong and stable early childhood educator workforce to support the transformation of early learning and childcare across Nova Scotia. Professional development plays a key role in the recruitment and retention of a strong workforce.

Under the direction of the Manager, Quality and Professional Learning, the Curriculum Development Specialist is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of curricula and professional development activities to support the delivery of quality and inclusive early learning and childcare programs by early childhood educators/care providers across the province. The Specialist is also responsible for the development and maintenance of internal training and development for Department staff delivering Early Years programs and services.

Primary Accountabilities

• Applies principles of instructional design to assess learning needs, identify performance and learning outcomes, design and develop curriculum, and create appropriate learning activities and resources to achieve the outcomes;
• Identifies, designs, implements, and monitors responsive supports/resources to inform policy, programs, standards, and curriculum;
• Supports the development of an evaluation framework, learner assessment strategies, and program evaluation guidelines and tools to ensure quality standards are met and that program outcomes align with Early Years objectives;
• Consults and works with training programs and other key partners to identify new programs and initiatives to further develop and strengthen early childhood sector training opportunities;
• Researches and applies emerging practices in the fields of early childhood education, adult education as well as instructional design to support the development and delivery of professional development and adult-related training;
• Develops project plans and budgets, leads/manages projects that impact multiple internal and external partners, and makes effective recommendations to senior leaders;
• Leads the development of orientation and training for Early Years staff across multiple program areas; and
• Supports senior colleagues in the development of internal and external communications.

May perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

As the ideal candidate, you will have a bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree in education (or equivalent) and seven (7) years of experience (or a related masters degree and five (5) years of experience) in instructional design/curriculum development (for in-person and online learning); The Curriculum Development Specialist will have knowledge of curriculum development models, adult learning principles and practices, inclusive education principles such as universal design for learning and culturally responsive andragogy and pedagogy.

In addition, you possess the following:

• Strong proficiency in interpersonal, written, and verbal communication and presentation.
• Strong collaboration and facilitation skills, including developing and maintaining professional working relationships with stakeholders and staff.
• Ability to synthesize and summarize large amounts of information and research.
• Proficiency with general office software.
• Effective time management skills in relation to managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment demonstrating sound judgement, attention to detail, and initiative.
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Assets for this role include:

• Fluency in the French language
• Formal project management experience
• Knowledge of the early childhood education sector

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. Click to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

Located in an office environment in Halifax, with occasional travel.

Additional Information

Please note, this is expected to be a term status position with an end date of September 12, 2025; however, the position status (\xe2\x80\x9cterm\xe2\x80\x9d, \xe2\x80\x9ctemporary\xe2\x80\x9d or \xe2\x80\x9ccasual\xe2\x80\x9d) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

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.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: PR 18

Salary Range: $3,215.50 - $3,781.51 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.

Government of Nova Scotia