Manager of Family and Children’s Services

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Department: Human Services
Reports to: Director of Human Services
Effective Date: June 2025
Positions Supervised: 12
Revised Date: N/A

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Manager of Family and Children's Services ensures the effective development, management and administration of the Licensed Child Care and Early Years System in the County. This includes licenced childcare funding and wage subsidy, program funding, special needs resourcing, EarlyON Child and Family centres, and the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care program.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Oversees and manages a broad range of activities and services related to the planning, development, management, and capacity building of the Licensed Child Care and Early Years System.
Responsible for local oversight and administration of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System, as well as administration and monitoring of EarlyON Child and Family Centres.
Coordinate, plan, direct and evaluate assigned programs and services in accordance with the Ministry of Education's mandated programs, County polices and approved budget and community needs.
Direct staff in the provision of child care subsidy, special needs resourcing, and EarlyON programming to ensure parent’s and children's needs are met.
Interpret legislation and policy (Child Care and Early Years Act, Child Care Modernization Act, Education Act, Child Care Service Management and Funding Guideline, Provincial Policy Directives, Family Law Act, Housing Services Act).
Work with community partners, including parents, local Boards of Education, the Ministry of Education and the broader community to develop and implement and manage a comprehensive evidence-based Child Care and Early Years' Service System Plan.
Negotiate and monitor service agreements with providers and community agencies in the delivery of child care, subsidy, and funding.
Ensuring appropriate funding, policies and procedures are in place for effective service delivery.
Maintain ongoing proficiency of all and any legislation and service programmes, key performance indicators, targets, budgets, and reports submissions.
Oversees the preparation of division policies and procedures, Council reports, external reports, contracts and any other related correspondence. Attends and participates at County or Area Municipal Council meetings, as necessary.
Prepares business plans and budgets for the department including funding proposals while regularly monitoring department performance, outcomes and financial performance.
Liaise with internal/external agencies and stakeholders to resolve client issues while developing and maintaining Community and Provincial partnerships.
Direct and second-removed supervisory responsibilities including hiring, performance management, coaching, employee and/or labour relations, mentoring and professional development of non-union and unionized staff.
Ensures compliance with the terms of the Collective Agreement and provides input into labour negotiations.
Acts as a back-up for the Director of Human Services in their absence.
Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Post-secondary education in Childhood Studies, Early Childhood Education, Social Services, Public Administration or related discipline. Relevant experience will also be considered.
Demonstrated experience managing and implementing Ministry-funded child and family programs.
Knowledge of federal and provincial legislation governing all areas of child care and early years programs and services and related directives, guidelines, policies, and procedures.
Experience working in a team-based environment with a visionary approach to quality outcomes and efficient delivery of a broad range of social programs.
Excellent management and leadership abilities including the ability to manage and direct in a unionized environment, solid communication skills, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively with others.
Valid Ontario driver’s license.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS:

Ability to demonstrate the required core and leadership competencies for this position in alignment with Oxford County’s competency framework
Core competencies include teamwork, communication, innovation, service excellence, accountability and integrity, and inclusivity.
Leadership competencies include strategic thinking, leading people, achieving results, project/process management, and fostering change.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works in an office environment.
Occasional driving to other worksites.