HeadStart Assistant

Position Summary

Seabird Island is committed to nurturing early childhood development and lifelong learning. We are dedicatedto creating a culturally safe and inclusive environment that respects and values Indigenous knowledgetraditions and ways of being. We are seeking a Headstart Assistant to join our team working collaborativelyto enhance the wellbeing and early education of children and families in our community.

Under the direction of the Headstart Team Lead the Headstart Assistant provides culturally informed care andsupport to young children enrolled in the Headstart program. This role involves assisting with the planning anddelivery of ageappropriate educational activities ensuring a safe and welcoming environment and promotingdevelopmental milestones in alignment with cultural teachings and Headstart Assistant will be responsible for ensuring the children have a safe fun and educationalenvironment to encourage their learning through the developmental stages.

This is a term contract with an end date of November 1st 2025 with the possibility of extension. The hours of this position are Monday Thursday 9am2pm.

What youll do

Early Childhood Development & Learning

• Participate in culturally appropriate and enriching activities that support the development of youngchildren.
  
• Assist in planning and delivering developmentally appropriate experiences that promote physicalemotional cognitive and social growth.
  
• Support the creation of a safe healthy and nurturing environment including the implementation of flexible routines and responsive caregiving practices

Health Safety and Wellbeing

• Report all accidents injuries illnesses or incidents to the Supervisor and ensure timelydocumentation in the communication log.
  
• Report all suspected cases of child abuse or neglect in accordance with center policy and under theguidance of the Supervisor.
  
• Assist in maintaining cleanliness and safety within the center including participating in daily tasks suchas cooking and cleaning.

Program Operations & Support

• Participate in field trips and other offsite activities supporting child supervision and engagement.
  
• Contribute to the daily operation of the Headstart center through active participation in programdelivery and team collaboration.
  
• Provide general administrative and clerical support including routine office tasks such as filingphotocopying and record keeping.
  
• Attend and contribute to staff meetings training sessions and planning discussions as required.

Family & Community Engagement

• Encourage parental involvement and maintain positive communication with families to support eachchilds development.
  
• Engage with the community to promote awareness and support for the Headstart program and itsgoals.

Other Duties

• Additional responsibilities as needed to support the community and uphold our shared values.
  

What you Bring

Qualifications

• Highschool Diploma or GED required.
• Responsible Adult Certificate or ECEA Certificate is required.
  
• First Aid Certificate required.
  
• Food Safe Certificate required.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position including lifting and engaging in active play.
  
• Knowledge of child development principles and ageappropriate practices.
  
• Excellent communication and relationshipbuilding skills.

Cultural Competency:

• Knowledge and understanding of Seabird Islands culture traditions teachings community dynamics.
  
• Familiarity with the Headstart program and its focus on holistic child and family development.
  
• Experience working in a culturally inclusive early childhood setting.
  
• Understanding of traumainformed and strengthbased approaches to childcare and family support.

Skills and Attributes

• Warm nurturing and patient demeanor with a genuine passion for working with children.
  
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with children families and staff.
  
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and adapt to changing needs in a dynamicenvironment.
  
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
  
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate sound judgment in all interactions.

Working / Special Conditions

• Initial and ongoing employment is subject to submission of a clear Criminal Record Review Program Check to ensure the safety and trust of the communities we serve. This check will be conducted every five years.
  
• Initial and ongoing commitment to the values and guidelines of Sqwqel (Seabird Island Band) including our policies procedures standards of practice and laws is essential. This commitment supports our collective work the community and the responsibilities of this role.
• Must possess a valid class 5 drivers license and have access to safe and reliable transportationinsured for communitybased use to effectively travel between our facilities and the communities weserve to support the children and work.

Reports to: HeadStart Team Lead

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience particularly in relation to Early Childhood Development. Please include references that can speak to your experience and skills.

Have a question about this position before you apply Email.

Employment is conditional upon completing preemployment screening to ensure a safe and secure work environment in which students staff members families community as well as resources and assets are protected. All background checks reference checks and criminal record checks are performed in accordance with Seabird Island Human Resources Policy Manual protecting the integrity and confidentiality of information gathered during the evaluation.

Preemployment screening

Seabird Island is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering diversity equity and inclusion. We recognize and value the unique perspectives experiences and contributions that Indigenous people bring to our team. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous people. Pursuant to S. 41 of the BC Human Rights Code preference may be given to applicants of First Nations Mtis or Inuit heritage. We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in Canada; however we are not able to sponsor visas.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.