Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide educational expertise and leadership in the design, development and implementation of strategies, policies and programs to support the Ministry of Education's/government's commitment to establish a 21st century teaching and learning strategy/policy for Ontario. To conduct consultations and networking with stakeholders to provide information, clarification and to promote confidence in and support for the Ministry's/government's strategic directions for the next phase in Ontario's education reform agenda that includes creating a provincial 21st century teaching and learning strategy, centred on key higher order skills and technology-enabled 21st century teaching and learning student practices.

Duties / Responsibilities :

The government is committed to moving forward on moving Ontario's schools from great to excellent. This will involve public consultations, Ministry definition of the framework(s) including key higher order skills that will inform future provincial policy and program development in e.g., curriculum and assessment policy and teacher professional development; monitoring system-wide progress on a provincial 21st century teaching and learning strategy/policy, and leading and supporting knowledge mobilization and professional learning with respect to effective teaching and learning practices for 21st century student success. The Education Officer is a subject-matter expert for all strategic planning, policy and program matters related to 21st century teaching and learning and performs the core duties of:

1. Educational Expertise and Strategic Advice:

- Provides educational expertise for the design and development of strategic policy, programs and related strategies to meet Ontario's commitment to establish a provincial 21st century teaching and learning strategy/province for Ontario.
- Provides educational expertise for the development of strategies and plans to support the implementation and delivery of effective technology-enabled, modern 21st century teaching and learning practices by school districts and Kindergarten to grade 12 schools across Ontario.
- Provides strategic advice and educational analysis to senior management on educational issues and trends that may impact on the ability of the Ministry/government and school districts to deliver on their respective mandates in connection to the province's 21st century teaching and learning strategy/policy.
- Provides educational expertise for the development of resources, tools and supports for stakeholders to facilitate implementation of new provincial policies and programs, including related curriculum initiatives in keeping with the Ministry's/ government's priorities for the next phase of Ontario's education reform agenda that focuses on higher order skills and student learning enabled and amplified by technology.
- Makes recommendations to senior management for the involvement of education specialists in policy research and development to support the development and implementation of policy/programs and strategies for effective 21st century teaching and learning practices by increasing numbers of educators and students in Ontario.

2. Stakeholder Consultations & Information:
- Plans, organizes and leads consultations and/or participates on committees with stakeholders in the elementary/secondary sectors to ensure stakeholder needs are identified and addressed in policy discussions and to promote understanding and support for evidence- and research-informed effective technology-enabled teaching and learning practices in a digital age and knowledge society/economy.
- Provides policy interpretation and information in response to requests by stakeholders regarding multi-faceted components of Ontario's commitment to establish a coherent 21st century teaching and learning strategy/policy for Kindergarten to Grade 12.
- Prepares responses to correspondence for the Ministry's senior executive team, and Project team coordinating the Minister's/Premier's public consultation on next steps on Ontario's agenda for education reform and 21st century teaching and learning strategy/policy, Assistant Deputy Minister, Deputy Minister, Minister or senior management.

3. Policy Development:
- Conducts research and analysis on large-scale complex educational issues and trends to support the development and implementation of strategic solutions and policy and program components within the provincial 21st century teaching and learning strategy.
- Writes with clarity and effectively for a variety of audiences and communications purposes, including writing submissions for senior level decision making, policy directives and resources for educators, and public consultation products and/or public awareness communiqués to support local implementation of provincial policy.
- Prepares and coordinates policy and briefing materials for the Minister, Deputy Minister and Assistant Deputy Minister to support ministry decision-making.
4. Program Design & Development:
- Provides educational expertise, analysis and advice for program design, planning and development activities to lead and support the work of cross-ministry and/or expert advisory 21st century teaching and learning strategy working group(s) and related curriculum initiatives (e.g., science and innovation strategy).
- Provides educational expertise and planning to support program evaluation and monitoring activities, including the development and evaluation of program delivery options, the roll-out of province-wide implementation plans and procurement of related research evaluation and/or knowledge mobilization services.
- Provides educational analysis and advice for the development of policy tools to assist in the implementation and delivery of programs.
5. Project Management:
- Provides on-going project management to ministry staff and/or external consultants. Monitors quality of work; coordinates and tracks deliverables to ensure they are consistent with project plans and strategies; and guides and motivates staff/consultants to achieve high performance levels, providing decision-making and resolution of project delivery issues as required.
6. Issues Management:
- Identifies and analyzes current and emerging educational trends/issues that may impact the achievement of the 21st century teaching and learning strategy mandate and agenda, and develops recommendations to address them through policy and program development.
- Provides issues management support and advice to cross-branch/CAPB project steering group(s) and ministry senior management on a range of educational issues related to Ontario's agenda for the next phase of education reform (including 21st century learning and higher order skills) and related curriculum initiatives.
- Prepares variety of briefing materials or correspondence for senior management.

Knowledge :

Experience in a school and board setting, knowledge of pedagogy normally acquired by being a member in good standing of the Ontario College of Teachers, and extensive Ontario teaching experience with curriculum content, technology-enabled instructional design and change leadership expertise. Thorough knowledge of Ontario's strategic directions for elementary/secondary education, and curriculum and assessment policy initiatives, eLearning Ontario strategy and implementation issues in Ontario. Sound knowledge of curriculum policy development and skills in theoretical and practical curriculum development and effective pedagogy. Thorough knowledge of the Education Act and regulations and related legislation, and Ministry policies, standards and programs in order to understand and address province-wide issues related to 21st century teaching and learning policies and programs. Experience in partnership development and inter-ministry and stakeholder consultations.
Highly developed conceptual, analytical, evaluation, interpretative and synthesis skills. Ability to think strategically, anticipate and absorb complex and large-scale issues and develop effective and practical long and short-term policy positions. Strong work planning, organizing and coordination skills. Sound project management and administration abilities with consistent capacity to produce high quality results on time. Excellent communication skills, including listening, conducting consultations, reporting, writing, presentation, persuasion and promotion. Strong relationship, stakeholder management, and interpersonal skills. PC proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, PowerPoint and database software. Strong initiative along with creative problem solving skills and political acuity.

Judgement :

Works independently, receiving general direction from the Manager and guided by educational legislation and regulatory guidelines, policies, professional practices and precedents. Position has significant influence over curriculum and related policy and program development and implementation with province-wide impact. Position uses initiative and judgment in providing authoritative educational expertise and advice to senior government officials for the effective design and development of policy and program initiatives that are part of the Ministry's/government's multi-faceted plan for focusing on students' acquisition of key higher order skills and student learning enabled and amplified by technology. Position uses judgment in preparing responses to stakeholder issues and concerns. Position determines appropriate educational concepts, theories and policy and program design and development that will maximize effectiveness within the education field at local, regional and provincial levels. Judgment and political acuity are also required to represent the Ministry well in liaisons involving the education sectors and organizations, establish respectful relations with stakeholders and peers, and maintain a professional, credible presence.

Accountability - Programs :

Is accountable for authoritative educational expertise, advice, direction and coordination for the design, development and implementation of policy and programs to support the design and implementation of a provincial 21st century teaching and learning strategy/policy and related curriculum and professional learning initiatives. Is accountable for effective networks with stakeholders to identify issues, trends and needs for policy and program renewal.

Accountability – Personnel :

Provides authoritative advice and guidance to diverse and geographically dispersed stakeholders.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Estimates the potential financial impacts of options and recommendations. Estimates and manages project budgets. Is accountable for the security and confidentiality of data and policy materials.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

The Ministry relies on the Education Officer to provide expert educational advice for the design, development and implementation of policy and programs for higher order skills and technology-enabled 21st century teaching and learning practices. Failure to provide reliable and authoritative educational advice and recommendations could result in poorly conceived policy, programs or strategies, which when implemented across the province, could lead to low levels of student achievement and success across the province. In turn, this could result in deteriorating trust and hardened relationships between stakeholders, interest groups, the Ministry and the government.

Contact - Internal :

Extensive contacts with management and the Director (cross-ministry advisory and/or steering committee(s), Executive Leadership Team) to advise on education field implications of policy and program directions and to make recommendations. Occasional contacts with the ADM, Deputy Minister and/or Minister's Office to provide briefs or advice on curriculum development issues. Extensive contact with colleagues in the Ministry to coordinate, participate in committees/projects, share information and expertise, and ensure consistency in approaches and integration with overall education mandate.

Contact - External :

Extensive contacts with senior representatives from school boards, teachers, interest groups, and other stakeholders in the elementary/secondary sectors and other ministries and government agencies, to conduct consultations, lead committees, represent the Ministry, exchange information, guide, solve problems, provide interpretations, and support policy/program development activities.