Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

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

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Provides policy clarification to local school boards and schools to monitor and ensure compliance with the policy and legislation for elementary 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. Monitors school systems to ensure ongoing accountability by school boards for standards of education. Coordinates information sessions for parent and/or education community groups which would promote and support ministry initiatives. Collaborates with senior board officials 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.
2. Monitors, assesses and reports on the effectiveness of the school system and the implementation of ministry policy and programs by monitoring progress of schools towards the effective implementation of ministry policies and programs (e.g., full day kindergarten). Develops and implements plans for the cyclical review of school effectiveness. Identifies exemplary practices and shares information with ministry program areas, and school boards on request. Researches issues and prepares advisory reports, background reports, briefings and ministerial correspondence.
3. Maintains regular contact with directors of education, school superintendents, principals, teachers and school boards to discuss issues, investigate emerging concerns and act as a liaison between the schools/local school boards and the ministry. 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 representatives and other key stakeholders to facilitate regional input into ministry legislation, policies, guidelines and program initiatives.
4. Makes presentations and contributes to regional/provincial committees to review, develop and validate early years policy and program.

Staffing and Licencing :

Position requires that applicants be members in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers.
Proficiency in English and oral and written French at the superior level.

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 school level and current and emerging education issues, programs and initiatives 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.
The Education Act and regulatory provisions governing education, the Child Care and Early Years Act, the ministry's business plan and strategic directions, objectives, policy and priorities, to monitor and ensure compliance.
Knowledge of the role and objectives of the Early Years Implementation Branch in order to monitor program implementation, and report on the effectiveness of the province's school system.
Role and administration of local school boards and other early years partners 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 and early years 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.
Oral communication, interpersonal and advisory skills to advise on legal and administrative requirements; to consult with school boards, educational facilities, community representatives and other stakeholders in order to facilitate regional input into ministry legislation, policies, guidelines and program initiatives; and to make committee presentations.
Stakeholder relation skills to collaborate with senior board officials in developing working partnerships in support of the ministry's changing business directions.
Planning and organizational skills to coordinate information sessions for parent and/or education community groups to promote and support ministry initiatives.

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.