Early Years Visitor

JOB Posting

EARLY YEARS VISITOR 

Eskasoni health Centre

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Maternal Child Health Coordinator, the Early Years Visitor is responsible for delivering programming to families in a culturally sensitive manner, to promote and facilitate healthy pregnancies and enhance parenting capacity and early learning opportunities for infants and toddlers.  Practice will be adapted to meet family needs while maintaining recommended practices. 

Duties & responsibilities

• Develop and maintain supportive relationships with parents and other primary caregivers, introducing conversations and learning activities from the Early Years Toolbox to respond to family context and infant/toddler interests and developmental stages.
• Encourage parent/caregiver involvement by providing opportunities to participate and support the child’s involvement in culturally inclusive and age-appropriate programming. Support parents/caregivers to set and attain goals, participate, and look after both themselves and their children in healthy, culturally appropriate ways.
• Provide weekly home visits with pregnant moms and/or families with children under 6 months of age, and continued visits until the child(ren) are 3 years old to assist with pre-natal and post-natal care and support.
• Plan, coordinate and deliver regular (e.g., weekly) community specific group gatherings for families.
• Work to identify, plan, prepare and deliver educational, wellness and other information sessions at group events that respond to family needs and preferences.  Promote culturally inclusive and responsive support through information sharing and program promotion.
• Service navigation which includes:
• Being knowledgeable of and assisting parents with services and interventions available in the community, including referral protocols, scope of services of allied agencies and criteria for participation
• Making appropriate referrals with informed consent to other service providers in community and surrounding areas
• Serving as a source of information regarding community resources and assists with referrals to public or private agencies with appropriate follow-up
• Facilitating participation in other services and interventions as required
• Work with supervisor and colleagues to ensure the needs of the children, families and communities are identified and supported, without duplication of programming or service.
• Adhere to records & information management standards and ensure the use of data and client information aligns with the purposes for which it was intended.  Maintain client records and ensure the collection of data is used to ensure meaningful outcomes for families and children.
• Participate and contribute as a member of the team in staff meetings, attend professional development workshops and other trainings as approved/required.
• Other related duties and responsibilities as requested by supervisor.
  

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Maintaining positive and effective working relationships with parents/caregivers, partners, and other professionals, which promote trust, cooperation, respect, and professionalism. Collaborating with colleagues, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, respecting varying viewpoints and contributions.
• Modelling appropriately with parents, caregivers, and children through encouragement, listening and the building and maintaining of appropriate relationships. Providing appropriate advocacy for families; working to ensure effective programming and supports are available to enable success and to promote cultural well-being.
• Promoting First Nation (Indigenous) teachings, practices, and world views with respect to pre- natal and post-natal care and child-rearing.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position will be working indoors in an office, and regularly in the homes of parents/caregivers with children and other family members.  Work may occasionally occur in other locations to facilitate programming and larger group events. Some work may occur on the Land.  
• The position requires the incumbent adhere to safety protocols regarding working in the homes of participants, as there are elements of risk involved in the work (e.g., sanitary conditions of homes, substance use, exposure to baby feces, vomit, and infections such as colds and influenza).
• A flexible work schedule is necessary to provide programming and family support.
• Overtime must be pre-authorized in advance by the Manager or designate.
• The incumbent may be exposed to a level of emotional and spiritual stress.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Grade 12 or equivalent
• Post-secondary diploma in early childhood development, elementary education or a related academic field is preferred
• Experience working with infants, toddlers, and families in programming, preferably in First Nation community
• Knowledge of maternal and infant health, parenting education and concepts of child development
• Knowledge of and experience with home visits is an asset
• Experience implementing and leading events, workshops and learning opportunities focused to young moms, babies, toddlers, and caregivers
• An awareness of educational, cultural, and social issues affecting First Nations in Nova Scotia is required for success.   Persons of Canadian Indigenous ancestry have preference. 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

In addition to the knowledge and experience required to perform the duties of the position, the following skills and abilities are required: 

• Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically, both verbally and in writing, with parents/caregivers, other professionals, co-workers, Knowledge Keepers, other agencies, and organizations
• Ability to build and maintain trust and cooperation of others
• Ability to work effectively and contribute as a member of team
• Ability to work independently and in an organized manner to effectively support several families (scheduling, daily reporting and prioritizing is necessary)
• Ability to problem solve to determine appropriate course of action and solutions
• Ability to handle sensitive and complex situations with sound judgment, tact, and discretion
• Demonstrated ability to work with sensitive information and to maintain confidentiality
• Cross cultural awareness, sensitivity and understanding
• Computer competence and proficient in the use of computer programs/applications (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, data entry)
• The ability to work in a First Nation Language is an asset

Job Type: Monday to Friday 8:30am-4:00pm

Deadline: Please forward your resume and cover letter on or before 4pm – October 2, 2026

*In person applications not accepted, please apply online.

We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those selected for interview will be contacted.