Elementary Services Manager

Enjoy 4 weeks PTO plus:

• Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan
• Comprehensive Benefits Package
• Generous Sick Leave
• 2-week paid Christmas Break
• 1-week paid March Break

The Elementary Services Manager provides direct supervision, supports and coordination to KOBE member First Nation schools in the areas of literacy, numeracy, student retention, school administrators professional development, updates to annual school success plans and supporting the overall annual school needs of KO member schools. This will include the provision of motivational and innovative supervision practices, team building strategies, strong interdepartmental communication and collaboration, and relationship building within KOBE Elementary Second Level Services staff, KOBE member schools, community members and partnering agencies. The KOBE Elementary Services Manager is expected to contribute to the development, promotion, and implementation of a positive working environment and to work in partnership with the KOBE Director of Education and KOBE Department Managers to provide high-engagement leadership for KOBE's education programs. The KOBE Elementary Services Manager will manage program budgets and program objectives in a timely manner.

Salary Range: $121,651-$137,055

Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2026

Location: Sioux Lookout or Thunder Bay.

Qualifications and Experience:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field
• Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) certification
• Principal Qualifications Part 1

Preferred: Principal Qualifications Part 1 and 2; Master's degree

Experience:

• 5 years experience working in or with First Nations schools, communities, or organizations or in a relevant role.
• Experience in implementing culturally responsive pedagogy, including a deep understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, and perspective.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Second Level Services – Literacy, Numeracy and Special Education

• Improve the service level to the communities in the areas of student success, numeracy, literacy, speech and language, and special education.
• Design, develop, and deploy program plans that include co-curricular experiences with a focus on innovation and resilience.
• Work with the Retention Services Team to improve the attendance of students in KO First Nation community schools.
• Develop a yearly operational plan for Academic Second Level Services staff aligned with the KOBE Strategic Plan.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Academic Second Level Services staff and ensure that KOBE policies are consistently applied.
• Supervise the delivery of second and third level services that can be expanded to other communities if requested.
• Work with the Technology Teacher Lead to review Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications that could be integrated in classrooms to support Second Level Service staff, community teachers and student learning.

Direct Services – Special Education (secondary)

• Develop a yearly operational plan for Direct Services staff aligned with the KOBE Strategic Plan for secondary students attending school outside of KO Communities.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Direct Services staff and ensure that KOBE policies are consistently applied.

Staff Supervision and Leadership

• Plan appropriate professional development opportunities for staff with an emphasis on organizational development and internal capacity building.
• Minimize the time spent by staff teaching staff on non-instructional tasks.
• Research, evaluate, and recommend student success activities suitable for the five KO communities.
• Explore and share best practices in supporting students to accommodate diverse student abilities.

Community and Cultural Integration

• Support the incorporation of Indigenous Ways of Knowing, languages (Ojibwe, Oji-Cree, Cree), and land-based learning into instruction.
• Promote learning through storytelling, oral traditions, and community knowledge, consistent with Ontario's Indigenous Education Policy Framework.
• Maintain strong parent/guardian relationships and communication with Local Education Authorities.

Board & Community Initiatives

• Participate in board-wide programs such as the KOBE PD Conferences, Indigenous Winter Games, Community Showcases, and Annual General Meeting.
• Foster cooperative relationships among KOBE staff, administration, and community stakeholders.

Administrative Duties

• When working onsite, maintain regular office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, with a 1-hour lunch break).
• Follow proper lines of authority for communication, advice, and clarification.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned by KOBE administration or immediate supervisor.
• Set personal professional goals aligned with the Ontario College of Teachers' Standards of Practice in the Annual Learning Plan (ALP) format.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform the duties and responsibilities of the position to the best of their ability.
• Adhere to relevant legislation, as well as KOBE policies and procedures.
• Protect the confidentiality and proprietary information of the company, its employees, and students.
• Maintain respectful and collaborative working relationships with co-workers, students, and stakeholders.
• Understand and promote the KOBE's mission and vision.
• Uphold and advocate for the KOBE's values and ethical standards.
• Ongoing contributions to the KiHS program throughout the school year, as per the school calendar.
• Maintain a safe work environment, ensuring the safety of themselves and others.
• Always present a positive and professional image of KOBE

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong understanding of both First Nation and Ontario education systems.
• Familiarity with Ministry of Education documents (Growing Success, Indigenous Education Frameworks).
• Knowledge and understanding of First Nation and Ontario education systems;
• Knowledge of and experience with assessments, pedagogical documentation, educational theories and instructional methods, numeracy, literacy and professional principles and practices related to assessment and evaluation of student achievement;
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations pertaining to the education system in Ontario and First Nations and current educational research and strategies and trends;
• Excellent presentation, facilitation and relationship building skills;
• Ability to travel extensively to remote First Nation communities;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Fluency in one of our communities' dialects would be considered an asset.

Key Competencies

• Cultural humility and deep respect for First Nations sovereignty
• Relationship building with community-based education partners
• Knowledge of Ontario and First Nations policies on Indigenous education
• Collaboration, flexibility, and openness to non-Western educational models
• Creative, reflective, and land-connected pedagogy
• Commitment to reconciliation, healing, and Indigenous student success

Personal Attributes:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including professional approaches when working through projects with various perspectives. Parents, students, community, staff, etc.
• An ability to adjust to changes
• Be honest and trustworthy
• Ability to focus and concentrate over lengthy periods of time
• Team player
• Self-directed
• Demonstrated interpersonal and leadership skills
• Physically fit
• Ability to deal with tact and sound judgment in oral and written communications with staff and the public
• The ability to coordinate and organize work
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team environment
• Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity to Indigenous peoples
• Ability to work effectively with staff, administration KOBE board, and First Nations

Conditions of Employment:

• Valid Class G driver's license.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.
• Willing to travel to remote fly in KiHS school sites a minimum of 10 trips per year and additional trips as assigned to the road access KiHS classrooms.
• Willingness and ability to travel to remote First Nations in small planes
• Vulnerable Persons Criminal Background check
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs

Application Process

Apply with resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references to resumes@edu.knet.ca

COVID-19 Policy: employment within KOBE.

Hiring Preference: Preference is given to members of the KO First Nations, followed by Indigenous individuals from outside of the KO First Nations. Qualified applicants from these groups are encouraged to apply.