Haisla Nation Council has an immediate opening for: 

Position Title:     Director, Education & Training

Reports to:          Executive Director, Community Services

Date:                    September 16, 2024

Job Overview

Reporting to the Executive Director, Community Services, the Director, Education and Training has strategic and operational responsibility for the Haisla Nation Council’s Education and Training department; including the Haisla Community School (HCS) and Employment and Training programs and services. Within this department, the Director is responsible for planning, developing, managing, and maintaining programs and services that meet the diverse needs of the community while respecting cultural values, promoting social inclusion, and empowering individuals and families to thrive. The Director, Education and Training, guided by the Haisla Nation Council’s mission and the Executive Director, Community Services, will influence the strategic direction of the department. Working closely with a wide variety of internal and external partners, the Director, Education and Training must consistently connect with colleagues and members to ensure they are accurately representing the Nation’s vision, beliefs, and ideals.

The Director, Education and Training is responsible for the leadership, management, and supervision of the HCS Principal and Manager, Employment and Training.

Organizational Status

The Haisla Nation is the band government of the Haisla people. Our mission is to build a powerful, prosperous and proud community, healthy in mind, body and spirit. We believe in building a strong and thriving community, with healthy and happy members and a sustained and prosperous environment. We are about 2023+ people, with approximately 700 living in Kitamaat Village. We have lived off the land and waters of our traditional territory for thousands of years, and it remains the focus of all we do.

The Education and Training department is established to empower members of the Haisla Nation by providing comprehensive K-7 and adult education, training, and employment support services. It aims to provide high-quality youth education and foster economic self-sufficiency, career advancement, and community prosperity through the development of skills, knowledge, and opportunities.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

The Director, Education and Training collaborates with the Executive Director, Community Services to develop the strategic and operational plans for the Education and Training department in alignment with organization-wide objectives.

• Participate in strategic planning initiatives with the Executive Directors and Directors.
• Develop and implement the Education and Training strategic and operational plan (showing key milestones, goals, and budgets).
• Integrate the Haisla Nation’s values, history, and traditional knowledge into all aspects of programming, student interaction, and educational planning to support connection to the community and culture.
• Monitor progress of the Education and Training strategy and plan and recommend strategies to mitigate risks and address issues so that work is completed within approved timelines with intended benefits.
• Ensure the development and delivery of high-quality services and outcomes that are consistent with the mission, principles, values, policies, and procedures. Ensure that programs and services focus on the holistic well-being of all community members.
• Recommend and lead new initiatives in alignment with current trends in the field and the Haisla Nation Council’s vision to provide a life of quality, well-being, caring, and healing for all.
• Participate as an organizational representative in collaborative partner networks and in related community, social, and economic development activities.
• Provide analyses, recommendations, and/or reporting to the executive leadership team as requested.

Departmental Leadership:

The Director, Education and Training oversees and manages the strategic operations of the Education and Training department.

• Work with departmental staff to oversee and ensure adherence to department purpose, principles, policies, and procedures.
• Oversee the management and monitoring of the Haisla Nation Council’s Education and Training programs and services that align with the department’s mandate.
• Build the capacity of departmental staff to effectively deliver on department goals and ensure service delivery is cohesive, efficient, and aligned with strategic objectives.
• Work with internal and external service providers to ensure programs are relevant, coordinated, and integrated within larger systems of care (when relevant).
• Integrate the social, economic, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of community members' lives in education, training, and employment initiatives.
• Implement appropriate monitoring and evaluation frameworks for all departmental deliverables to drive continuous improvement and impact of the Haisla Nation Council’s services.
• Develop and maintain departmental policies and procedures that are grounded in traditional knowledge and values.
• Ensure all required reporting is completed accurately and on time.
• Collaborate with external partners, such as the Ministry of Education and Child Care, to inform service delivery and ensure the organization’s services are provided successfully.

Financial & Risk Management: 

The Director, Education and Training develops and oversees the department’s budgets, ensuring sound financial management, while also minimizing any risk to the Haisla Nation Council.

• Develop and monitor departmental budgets and reporting requirements.
• Direct departmental staff in maintaining appropriate fiscal controls to ensure operations are within the scope of the annual budget.
• Liaise with the Finance department to ensure financial metrics are identified and tracked for optimal fiscal reporting and performance.
• Ensure that effective risk management activities are developed, implemented, and evaluated.
• Ensure departmental activities are in compliance with policies, procedures, and legal standards.

People Leadership:

The Director, Education and Training supports the capacity and capability of their direct reports, including their professional development. The Director, Education and Training is a resource and mentor to the team, providing guidance and direction on risks, issues, or problems to ensure services achieve intended benefits and meet expectations.

• Foster a respectful workplace and cooperative working relationships with all employees.
• Ensure employees are appropriately trained and aligned with the Haisla Nation Council’s mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures.
• Develop and lead a high-performing team, supporting both personal and professional development through effective coaching and mentoring.
• Work with the HR department to identify capacities needed (skillsets and competencies) to achieve departmental goals.
• Lead the hiring, evaluation, professional development, discipline, and dismissal of managers within the department.
• Build the capacity of managers and other departmental staff by implementing processes for orientation, training, and performance appraisal.
• Monitor the attendance of managers within the department and manage attendance issues including absenteeism, authorizing overtime, leave requests, vacations, etc.
• Work with the HR department to ensure human resource and labour relations processes are effective, efficient, and timely.
• Work with the HR department to ensure the workplace meets all health and safety guidelines.
• Lead and attend required departmental and other related meetings with staff and the community.
• Serve as a role model regarding the organization’s values and leadership principles.

Skills & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• 7-10 years of experience providing organizational and operational leadership, particularly as it relates to the provision of educational services.
• Experience working for a band government or Indigenous organization is an asset.
• Ability to set goals and develop a strategic plan and shared vision for the department.
• Ability to provide strategic direction and leadership to direct reports and ongoing support for their performance and development.
• Strong proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with an attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to professionally connect with and influence a diverse group of individuals.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to lead projects and work with diverse individuals to identify issues, design solutions, and evaluate results.
• Strong people leadership skills, including experience with building and leading high-performing teams.
• Satisfactory completion of criminal records check (with vulnerable sector screening if relevant).

Closing Date:  September 30, 2024

While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.