Job Specification

Purpose :

To provide local school boards and schools with information and clarification regarding Ministry of Education legislation, policies and programs, and to monitor compliance with legislative and policy requirements. To inform the ministry about issues and activities in the elementary/secondary education system.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Position functions within a unit of Field Services Branch which is responsible for coordinating activities in Toronto and five regional offices; and for providing leadership in the development, implementation and monitoring of policy, programs and initiatives in the elementary/secondary education system. Within this context the position:

1. Provides policy clarification to local school boards, schools and related community partners and stakeholders to monitor and ensure compliance with the policy and legislation for elementary and secondary education by clarifying, interpreting and promoting the ministry's business plan, philosophy of education, program initiatives, objectives, legislation, policies, provincial standards and curriculum. Ensures that programs are implemented and consistent with the ministry's philosophy, legislative and policy requirements, and are responsive to the local community's educational needs.

2. Monitors school systems to ensure ongoing accountability by school boards for standards of education and related Ministry direction and priorities. Coordinates information sessions for parent and/or education community groups which would promote and support ministry initiatives.

3. Collaborates with senior board officials, community partners (municipal partners, public health units, community organizations) and partner ministries and government agencies to develop effective working partnerships in support of the ministry's changing business directions. Promotes partnerships to support the use of technology and to share information regarding best practices.

4. Monitors, assesses and reports on the effectiveness of the school system and the implementation of ministry and provincial government policy and programs by monitoring progress of schools towards the effective implementation of ministry policies and programs (e.g., secondary school reform policy, safe and healthy schools, inclusiveness).

5. Develops and implements plans for the cyclical review of school effectiveness (e.g., special education programs). Identifies exemplary practices and shares information with ministry program areas, and school boards on request. Researches issues, consults with school boards, community partners and prepares reports, briefings and ministerial correspondence.

6. Maintains regular contact with directors of education, school superintendents, principals, teachers, community partners (municipal partners, public health units, community organizations) and school boards to discuss issues, investigate emerging concerns and act as a liaison between the schools/local school boards, community partners and the ministry.

7. Provides input into ministry policy, program and curriculum development to ensure the needs of local school board are considered in ministry decision-making processes by consulting with boards, educational facilities and community partners and other key stakeholders to facilitate regional input into ministry legislation, policies, guidelines and program initiatives.

8. Makes presentations and contributes to regional/provincial committees and task forces to review, develop and validate policy and new curriculum.

Staffing and Licensing :

Position requires that applicants be members in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers.

Knowledge :

• Member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers.
• Knowledge and understanding in the application of education theory, principles, standards and practices at the Ontario elementary and secondary school levels; and current and emerging education issues, programs and initiatives and curriculum in order to provide interpretation and clarification to local school boards and schools, and to monitor compliance with the ministry's legislative and policy requirements.
• Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12, 2011,curriculum documents, Growing Success, 2010, Ontario Student Record Guidelines, 200, Ontario Student Transcript manual, 2010, and applicable Policy/Program Memoranda; and the Education Act and regulatory provisions governing education, the ministry's business plan and strategic directions, objectives, policy and priorities, to monitor and ensure compliance.
• Knowledge of the role and objectives of Field Services Branch in order to monitor program implementation, and report on the effectiveness of the province's school system.
• Knowledge of the role of various government ministries and related agencies and related government decision making structures.
• Knowledge of broader educational and community partners that support school boards and the related roles and responsibilities of these organizations.
• Role and administration of local school boards to anticipate and assess potential impact of new/revised policy development and implementation.
• Issues management skills to investigate and discuss the anticipated implications of new/revised policies and programs at the local school board level.

Skills :

Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills to identify and appreciate the realities of the French language education community.
Superior oral and written communication skills in French and English to prepare and present a wide range of policy reports, resource material, recommendations, proposals, briefings, ministerial correspondence and presentations, and to represent the ministry on various committees.
Analytical skills to interpret ministry policies, guidelines, provincial standards and curriculum; assess and ensure accountability by school boards for standards of education; and to assess compliance with ministry legislation and policy requirements.
Evaluative skills to assess school progress in implementing ministry policies, programs and new initiatives; and in assessing responsiveness to local community educational needs.
Research skills to prepare advisory reports and briefings and make evidence-based recommendations.
Reasoning and initiative to assess the effectiveness of provincial policies, programs and guidelines, and to determine shortfalls and suggest methods of improvement.
Leadership skills and professionalism to demonstrate authority and credibility when representing the ministry to schools, school boards and the public

Freedom of Action :

Work is performed under the direction of the Manager, and within the framework of ministry/branch policies, practices, directives, procedures, standards and relevant legislation.

Decision-making involves: providing policy clarification to local school boards and schools; ensuring compliance with policy and legislation for elementary and secondary education; developing and implementing plans for the cyclical review of school effectiveness; ensuring that ministry policies and curriculum guidelines are implemented; promoting partnerships to support the use of technology and to share information regarding best practices; participating on regional/provincial committees and task forces to review, develop and validate policy and new curriculum; and providing input into ministry policy, program and curriculum development.
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The position performs functions independently with access to the Manager for direction and advice on potentially sensitive matters or contentious issues that threaten to escalate.