Teacher - Academic 3(A)-(B)-5(A)-(B)

About Us

At the Department of Community Services (DCS), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program(DSP).

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure.  We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

Wood Street Campus (WSC) is a cornerstone in providing specialized treatment services for children in the care of the Minister of Community Services. We are passionate about supporting our children and enhancing their development into successful young people in the community. The experience of fostering positive outcomes for children is very rewarding and requires a highly motivated and energetic individual!

We’re hiring a compassionate, creative, energetic Teacher to join Wood Street Campus. You’ll work in an engaged and rewarding environment where you have a direct, positive, and long-lasting impact on children and their education. Teachers at Wood Street Campus provide education programs and treatment services, along with facilitating, co-facilitating, and/or assisting with social and emotional learning. This position requires you to be flexible and creative in meeting the needs of children and youth and to have a solid practical knowledge of elementary, junior, and senior high school curricula.

When you join our team, you’ll become a member of an Interdisciplinary Team where we all work together to provide diagnostic, assessment, and treatment services, and programming for children with complex emotional and/or behavioural needs who are in the care of the Minister of Community Services.
 

Primary Accountabilities

As the Teacher, you are responsible for the development and implementation of individualized educational programs that adhere to the guidelines set out by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, while at the same time addressing individual treatment and learning needs. With your passion for learning you will:

• develop and deliver an educational program that teaches academic, social and personal development.
• facilitate and supervise community-based, curriculum-related field trips.
• ensure the application of Accountability Case Management (ACM) with a goal to meet the child’s needs.

You will also engage and encourage other team members such as Youth Workers, who are present in the classroom, to participate with you and the students to support learning objectives and outcomes.
 

Qualifications and Experience

You must possess, at a minimum, a valid Nova Scotia Teaching License (TC 5 or ITC).

Essential to your success in this role is knowledge of physical, psychological, and emotional needs of children in care. A strong background in various subject areas, practical knowledge of teaching methods, developing Individual Program Plans (IPP), evaluation of student learning, classroom management and an ability to communicate creative ideas and information to students are essential.

An understanding of child and youth caring treatment programs is an asset. Previous work and experience in a treatment environment is highly desirable. You possess strong facilitation abilities and communication skills, both verbal and in writing. You are a collaborative in your teaching style and can foster partnerships and strong relationships. You provide guidance, coaching and model behaviours and strategies for youth.

A working knowledge of Department of Community Services child welfare policies and procedures, as well as relevant acts and legislation, such as the Children and Family Services Act and the Occupational Health & Safety Act are considered assets.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.
 

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

You will work in a secure treatment and/or long term treatment program that operates 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week, therefore, you will facilitate and maintain both dynamic and static security to provide safety and security of children, visitors, staff, and the public. While we take precautions, children may demonstrate harmful/aggressive behaviours and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI) techniques are utilized to manage these behaviours.

Personal resiliency and active self awareness is essential to meet the physical and emotional demands of this position. You will be subjected to a high degree of stress and must be able to work under pressure and in crisis situations.

Four (4) classrooms at Wood Street Campus operate twelve (12) months of the calendar year, including summer, spring break, and winter vacation which differs from public-school classrooms.

Additional Information

A valid driver's license is required.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.