Elves’ School Program serves children and youth with disabilities within a specialized early education or Grades One to 12 educational environment. Our learners may present with severe medical, physical, intellectual, or psycho-social disabilities or neuro-developmental profiles, including Autism or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Elves operates two school locations, with our multidisciplinary team serving 300 learners with approximately 120 staff members, including teachers, educational assistants, social workers, nurses, therapists, and interdisciplinary therapy assistants. Our dedicated personnel work together to provide wrap-around services for learners.
Elves’ team members and leadership also work with families to optimize the success of individuals. We seek an individual who has experience working with special needs learners in a multidisciplinary environment. A Master's Degree in Education or Leadership Certification is required.
The actions of the Principal will align with Elves' mission, vision, and values. The Principal's role is pivotal to a positive learning environment and the success of Elves’ learners and personnel. The Principal supports a safe and caring work environment with consideration given to abilities and needs of learner and staff skills. Elves’ Principal will demonstrate an understanding of instruction and strong knowledge of methods to adapt or modify the Alberta Education curriculum to align with learner abilities. Knowledge of disabilities and positive behavioural support strategies is essential to this role. As an effective leader, it is necessary to share or promote best practices founded in current research. There is also the need to demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, and well-reasoned judgement when supporting the development of student programs, recruitment and mentorship of new and current teachers, and evaluation of teacher and educational assistant performance. The Principal will also be responsible for managing Society resources and capital accessed by School Program personnel.
The Principal works closely with key members of our Learning/Leadership Team (PUF/Transportation Coordinator and Special Education Supports Learning Coach) designated to act as school leaders in Elves’ facilities when the Principal is absent. These personnel report back to the Principal daily.
Definition:
· Plan, organize, and direct services and activities of special education within a designated special education program;
· Provide educational and administrative leadership to staff and students at designated sites;
· Plan, coordinate, schedule, supervise, and evaluate work performed by certificated and classified staff;
· Plan, organize, and direct all aspects of school operations; work cooperatively with Elves’ Executive Director to provide regular updates, and share details critical to the development of School Program budgets;
· Serve as liaison between Elves’ operations, partnering school boards, outside agencies, and the general public;
· Manage and coordinate facility use; provide responsible and professional staff assistance in managing the education program; and
· Perform related duties as assigned.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
· Working under general direction, the incumbent assists in the development and implementation of goals and objectives for Elves Special Needs Society;
· Budgetary responsibilities include assistance in developing budgets, and monitoring approved expenditures within approved budgets;
· Supervisory responsibilities include recruitment, day-to-day supervision of certificated and classified staff, conducting staff evaluations, and initiating consultant work;
· Collaboratively planning School Program objectives, making major decisions in program operations, and when necessary, referring specific cases to Elves’ Executive Director.
Supervision Received and Exercised:
· General direction is provided by Elves’ Executive Director;
· Responsibilities include direct and indirect supervision of certificated and classified staff.
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
· Plan, manage, assign, and supervise, special education programs conducted in one or more school sites;
· Attend Individual Program Plan (IPP) meetings, determine class placement, and monitor delivery systems for student special education services;
· Direct and monitor school support activities to ensure facilities maintenance, clerical assistance, appropriate record keeping, and adherence to department procedures;
· Direct and assist staff through conferences, meetings, memos, in-service workshops, classroom demonstrations, and site visits;
· Confer and assist in resolving a variety of education-related issues and problems with students, teachers, social workers, therapists, parents, designated school leadership, and other agency personnel;
· Establish, implement, and maintain effective systems for school records and office support services;
· Prepare and present a variety of reports, records, and statistical data regarding activities, attendance, physical maintenance, instructional needs, and services;
· Assist in developing, maintaining, monitoring and administering program budget(s), monitoring and approving expenditures, and responding to requests from staff for budget expenditures;
· Work collaboratively with designated school leadership to assist in the planning, development, and implementation of program evaluation systems;
· Plan, develop, and implement staff development and in-service training programs;
· Work closely with parents, keeping them apprised of educational activities, and soliciting their input for program change and improvement;
· Support Elves’ designates and/or families in engaging in active transitional planning;
· Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Government of Alberta, Ministry of Education Regulations, standards and procedures, and assurance and reporting requirements including knowledge of coding for special needs learners;
· Monitor compliance with all applicable federal and provincial laws with regard to annual reviews, evaluations, Occupational Health and Safety, Employment Standards, and other;
· Serve as liaison and coordinate educational programs with a variety of outside agencies, community groups, local school districts, and other entities;
· Support coordination of Parent & Child Engagement Sessions, Demonstrations of Learning as applicable;
· Establish and maintain clear communications and cooperative working relationships with clients, staff, and other agencies, through announcements, letters, telephone communications, attendance at meetings, and site visits;
· Participate and report, based on guidelines of educational grants and other sources of funding intended to support School Program operations;
· Develop personal goals and objectives which support and are consistent with goals of Elves’ Executive Director and Elves’ Board of Directors;
· Maintain professional competencies in areas of responsibility; maintain contact with and participation in, professional job-related organizations; serve as liaison to professional groups;
· Assist teachers and staff with student conflicts and problems;
· Recruit, select, train, supervise, and evaluate staff;
· Perform related duties as assigned.
Employment Standards:
Knowledge of:
· Principles, practices, methods, and techniques used in curriculum development and classroom instruction for special education and supports to learners with severe disabilities;
· Methods and approaches to planning individualized instructional programs and services according to identified needs and requirements;
· Principles and practices of modern management including personnel administration, organizational development, dispute management, staff development, purchasing, and information processing;
· Funding sources for special education programs and the variety of related regulations, controls, and reporting procedures;
· Government of Alberta and Ministry of Education regulations and other requirements which are applicable to the education field in general, and to special education specifically;
· Evaluation and assessment techniques used in determining effective teaching and instructional methods;
· Budget development and administration; review of expenditures in a timely fashion.
Ability to:
· Respond promptly to requests of internal and external clients, and provide needed direction, assistance, training, materials, and resources;
· Express ideas and concepts clearly and concisely in both oral and written form; using language and medium appropriate to audience;
· Establish and maintain cooperative and professional working relationships with individuals, groups, and public and private agency personnel;
· Motivate, challenge, and guide others in the improvement of educational programs and services of Elves’ Society;
· Analyze data and situations and render judgment; make decisions and solve problems efficiently and effectively;
· Conceptualize new ideas and approaches, and integrate them into a coherent program;
· Develop and administer budget(s) related to areas of responsibility;
· Plan, organize, and conduct training, in-service and staff development activities; coordinate curriculum and instruction projects, conferences, events, and activities;
· Assume primary responsibility for the maintenance and operation of site(s); providing a safe and healthy environment for staff, students, clients, and the public;
· Oversee a wide range of educational programs, and relate effectively to the personnel associated with those programs; set high expectations and assist others in meeting those expectations;
· Select, train, supervise, and evaluate staff performance relative to program objectives; observe and document performance; design data-based improvement processes;
· Maintain and improve professional skills and knowledge;
· Be flexible and receptive to change.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide required knowledge and abilities. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be:
Education:
· Permanent Alberta Education teaching certification is required, in good standing with the Ministry of Education;
· Leadership Quality Standard Certification is required or ability to attain a Leadership Certificate issued by the Government of Alberta;
· Preferred Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with an emphasis in special education or closely-related field.
Experience:
· Three (3) or more years of comprehensive and directly-related progressive experience beyond that required to obtain an appropriate Professional Teaching Certificate;
· Supervisory responsibility is required.
Credentials:
· A valid Alberta Education Permanent Professional Teaching Credential;
· Leadership Certificate or qualifications to attain a Ministry of Education Teaching Certificate;
· Experience working with learners who have severe medical, intellectual, or social emotional needs;
· Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, MANDT Systems Certification, or equivalent;
· Driver’s License and vehicle.
Work Environment:
The following conditions may be present:
· Walking on uneven ground when outdoors;
· Exposure to student illness, injuries, infections, and bodily fluids;
· Exposure to chemicals contained in cleaning products;
· May be required to maneuver into awkward positions;
· May be required to support dysregulated children or youth;
· Busy or loud work environment with active children and youth;
· May need to support medical or behavioural emergencies alongside other team members.
Other Requirements:
· Must provide clean Police Intervention Check and Child Intervention Record Check prior to interview;
· Vaccinations and immunizations are highly recommended;
· May be required to obtain First Aid and CPR Certificates within the first 6 - 12 months of employment.
· Will be required to drive between Elves’ schools (approximately three kilometers one way). Elves will request evidence of Driver’s License, and Proof of Insurance. Elves does not permit personnel to transport students in personal vehicles.
Start Date:
Details to be negotiated based on current employment status. There is an opportunity for the incumbent to work directly with the current Principal and leadership team within the current year. The incumbent will be assuming responsibilities when mutually agreed.
This position will be a minimum of a 1 year term, covering a maternity leave, with the possibility of becoming permanent full time.
To learn more about our organization please visit:
https://www.elves-society.org
Interested parties are welcome to submit questions, resumes, and qualifying documents via email to the attention of:
Sue Donovan
HR Director
Elves Special Needs Society
[email protected]
Pay: $85,000.00-$96,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
Flexible language requirement:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Edmonton, AB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
- Master's Degree (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Alberta Education Teaching Certification (required)
- Leadership Quality Standard Certification (required)
Work Location: In person
