Job Description

Coordinator of Cree Programs – iiyiyiuiyihtiwin Research & Development

Job Number: J0224-0004

Location: Chisasibi

Job Type: Regular

Job Category: Managers – Others

Number of Positions: 1

Posting Date: April 4, 2024

End of Posting: May 1, 2024

Salary: $92,631.00 – $123,505.00/Year

Northern Allowance: $9,004 – $14,403.00

Retention Premium: $5,500.00 – $10,000.00

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Overview of iiyiyiuiyihtiwin Research and Development Department

iiyiyiuiyihtiwin is Cree ways of Knowing, Doing, and Being. The iiyiyiuiyihtiwin Research and Development Department’s role is to strengthen and support our iiyiyiu ways in all we do at the Cree School Board. This is key to achieving our ultimate goal of student success and miyupimaatsiwin.

iiyiyiuiyihtiwin is a priority of the Cree School Board and it is a main theme of the current Strategic Action Plan, which guides and supports our work. A major first step was the creation of the iR&D department, which reports directly to the Director General.

Our iiyiyiu values are our Guiding Principles with ‘how’ we work as a team. We guide and support the use of our language and culture in all we do. This takes many forms, from developing and sharing iiyiyiu educational tools and resources, to providing language and cultural expertise for projects, to making connections, and caring for the Circle of Elders who can accompany us in all our work.

The iiyiyiuiyihtiwin Research and Development Department Team has a foundational goal of having our iiyiyiu ways into all we do.

Overview of the Role:

The Coordinator of Cree Programs, coordinates and implements initiatives in support of the CSB iiyiyiuiyihtiwin Research and Development strategy, that has the end goal of equipping the CSB to develop high-quality iiyiyiu academic curriculum resources to support student success, provide language and culture expertise across the CSB, and enable inspired teaching.

Reporting to the Director of the iiyiyiuiyihtiwin Research and Development, the Coordinator of Cree Programs works across the CSB, particularly with the Youth, and the Adult and Higher Learning sectors.

The Coordinator of Cree Programs leads the work of the Cree Programs team, supports the establishment of the iiyiyiuiyihtiwin department, provides language and culture guidance to CSB employees and initiatives, and contributes to the implementation of the iiyiyiuiyihtiwin strategy of the SAP.

The Coordinator of Cree Programs leads by example, fosters a spirit of teamwork, engages employees and facilitates a workplace culture in keeping with the CSB organizational values.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Departmental Responsibilities

• We work collaboratively. Our iiyiyiu values are our Guiding Principles with ‘how’ we work as a team. We guide and support the use of our language and culture in all we do.
• Collaborate with the Director of iiyiyiuiyihtiwin Research and Development in the development and execution of the departmental strategic initiatives and annual action plan for iR&D.
• Contribute to the preparation of the departmental budget and monitor budget of select operations / projects.
• Participate in the development and implementation of departmental initiatives, processes, internal procedures and policies, and ensure monitoring, as well as compliance in line with key performance measures.
• Implement and maintain up-to-date efficient and effective systems, databases/ files and administrative standards that respond to the needs of the department while supporting the overall organization and ensuring alignment with legal and governance requirements.
• Coordinate and/or prepare and analyze select reports and circulate, as appropriate.
• Establish and maintain effective communications and relations within his/her sector, across the CSB and with external stakeholders.
• Provide pertinent information to and respond to queries from internal and external stakeholders, as required.

Role-Specific Responsibilities

Functional Responsibilities:

Responsibilities

• Lead the iR&D Cree Programs team (and all related supervisory responsibilities)
• Support the Director of iR&D in the establishment of the iiyiyiuiyihtiwin department, priorities and related initiatives.
• Provide language and culture expertise and guidance to CSB staff and initiatives
• Contribute to the implementation of iiyiyiuiyihtiwin strategy of the SAP
• Provide pedagogical support to the Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum by researching and creating required didactic materials and assessments.
• Identify gaps and contribute to the development of language and culture resources and projects.

Main Tasks

• Development of educational resources (such as creating iiyiyiu language books, posters, and other tools) for use across all sectors
• Identify and connect the language and cultural needs across all sectors to guide the development of resources.
• Offer guidance, language and cultural support to CSB staff to learn and use more culturally relevant approaches in their work.
• Provide language and culture support for events and initiatives
• Leads the process and resources in the on-going development of iiyiyiu/iinuu language/vocabulary and usage
• Lead the on-going development, maintenance, and promotion of the use of the on-line dictionary (EastCree.org)
• Contributes to building processes and sharing iiyiyiu/iinuu language and culture resource materials across CSB.
• Remains abreast of leading practices in the field of Indigenous language and education. Develops and maintains network and may represent CSB/team in this area.
• Accomplish any additional related duty as required by the Director of iiyiyiuiyihtiwin Research and Development.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Plan and allocate staffing resources
• Determine staffing plan according to budget, including determining job duties
• Select or participate in selecting staff.
• Provide coaching, leadership, motivation and guidance to staff, including goal setting, feedback and performance development planning
• Establish work priorities and resource requirements for the department
• Supervise employees under his/her/their direct supervision

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

We welcome you to apply if you possess or are willing to develop your skills in the following areas:

Education and Certification

• Advanced knowledge of iiyiyiuiyihtiwin (Cree ways of knowing, doing, and being)
• Bachelor degree in Education is preferred.
• Cree Literacy certificate is highly desired.
• Please note: In the absence of undergraduate studies, equivalent professional experience will be considered.

Experience

• 3-5 years’ experience in resource development
• 3-5 years’ experience in leadership/management or similar
• Five (5) years of experience in the education sector.

Language

• Proficient oral and written Cree;
• Proficient oral and written English

Assets

• French is an asset
• Bachelor’s degree and a valid Quebec teaching license (brevet) or other Canadian teaching qualification or similar

KEY COMPETENCIES (SKILLS AND ABILITIES)

• Knowledge of iiyiyiuiyihtiwin and Indigenous education is required
• Knowledge of related areas such as instructional design and curriculum development.
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively across all levels and functions, and to develop strong organizational knowledge
• Able to manage complex reporting relationships
• Adapts and responds positively to changing priorities in role and organization
• Ability to initiate, plan and manage projects
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, collaboration, and negotiation skills
• Well-developed listening, communication, and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated judgment and analytical skills
• Knowledge of iiyiyiu aschii, the CSB organization, stakeholders, and processes is an asset
• Experience with Microsoft platforms is an asset
• Strong administrative skills (budget management, financial processes, application of detailed procedures and by-laws).
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion

Other/ working conditions

• This position is based in Chisasibi.
• Travel is required, typically across iiyiyiu aschii and occasionally to Montreal or similar.