Dene Tha’ First Nation Women’s and Children’s Emergency Shelter Employment Opportunity
Early Childhood Educator (ECE)
Location: Dene Tha’ First Nation Women’s and Children’s Emergency Shelter
Bushe River, Alberta
Reports to: Facility Manager
Available Position Type: 1 Full-Time and 1 Casual Positions
Schedule: Monday to Friday, daytime hours, with flexibility required to support shelter
operations
Position Overview
The Early Childhood Educator (ECE) is responsible for providing nurturing, developmentally
appropriate, and trauma-informed care for infants and young children residing at Dene Tha’ First
Nation’s Women’s and Children’s Emergency Shelter. Children accessing the shelter may be
experiencing stress, instability, or trauma, and the ECE plays a critical role in creating a safe,
predictable, and culturally grounded environment that supports healing, emotional regulation, and
healthy development.
Working collaboratively with parents or caregivers and the Case Management team, the ECE
designs and delivers structured programming that promotes social-emotional, cognitive, and
physical development through play, routine, and culturally relevant activities. This role supports
both child well-being and family stability during a period of transition and recovery.
Core Responsibilities
Child Care and Developmentally Appropriate Programming
· Provide responsive, attentive, and developmentally appropriate care to infants and young
children in a manner that prioritizes safety, emotional well-being, and individual needs
· Plan and deliver daily structured activities that support social-emotional, cognitive,
language, and physical development
· Incorporate culturally relevant practices, including Indigenous language, storytelling,
music, traditional games, and land-based learning, where appropriate
· Apply trauma-informed strategies to support children experiencing emotional, behavioural,
or developmental challenges
· Provide personal care to infants and toddlers as required, including assistance with hygiene
Safety, Supervision, and Daily Routine
· Always ensure continuous supervision of children, both indoors and outdoors, in
accordance with shelter policies and child safety standards
· Maintain consistent daily routines, including meals, rest periods, playtime, and structured
group activities, to promote stability and predictability
· Monitor children for health, safety, or emotional concerns and communicate observations
promptly to the Facility Manager or Case Management team
· Adhere to applicable child-to-staff ratios, safety guidelines, and licensing or regulatory
requirements, as applicable within the shelter context
Family Support and Collaboration
· Work collaboratively with parents or caregivers to support consistent care routines,
parenting goals, and positive child development
· Share observations, feedback, and informal guidance with caregivers in a respectful and
supportive manner
Dene Tha’ First Nation Women’s and Children’s Emergency Shelter Employment Opportunity
· Participate in care planning discussions with the Case Management team to ensure
children’s developmental and emotional needs are integrated into family plans
Documentation, Data Management, and Team Collaboration
· Maintain accurate daily records of attendance, activities, routines, and significant
observations or incidents
· Contribute to developmental tracking, progress notes, and reports as required for internal
monitoring or funder reporting
· Accurately enter and maintain required documentation within the shelter’s designated data
or record-keeping systems, in accordance with privacy and confidentiality standards
· Collaborate with other shelter staff to support holistic, family-centred care
· Participate in team meetings, training, and professional development opportunities as
required
· Support general shelter operations as requested by management while on duty
Shared Shelter-Wide Responsibilities
All employees of the DTFN Women’s and Children’s Emergency Shelter work within the context
of a 24/7 emergency shelter environment and share responsibility for upholding the safety, dignity,
confidentiality, and well-being of all clients, children, families, staff, and the facility. While not all
positions are shift-based or client-facing, all staff are expected to contribute to the effective and
professional operation of the shelter by responding appropriately to safety concerns within the
scope of their role, communicating concerns promptly to on-shift staff or management, and
supporting colleagues during high-volume or critical situations as reasonably required.
All staff are expected to maintain ongoing compliance with confidentiality and privacy obligations
and to participate in required trauma-informed, cultural safety, and role-specific training
throughout their employment. These obligations are fundamental conditions of continued
employment within the shelter.
Qualifications
· Diploma or certificate in Early Childhood Education or a related field, with current Alberta
ECE certification (Level 3)
· Minimum two years of experience in licensed childcare, early intervention, family support,
or similar child-focused settings
· Demonstrated understanding of child development, trauma-informed practice, and
culturally responsive approaches, or willingness to obtain additional training
· Strong communication skills, patience, creativity, and ability to work effectively with
children and families
· Knowledge of Indigenous culture, values, and language is a strong asset
· Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence and ability to travel as required
· WHMIS, First Aid, CPR certification (or willingness to obtain)
· Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check and Child Intervention Check
Work Environment and Conditions
· Primarily daytime role operating within a women’s and children’s emergency shelter
· Flexibility may be required to support intake needs within a 24/7 shelter environment
· Trauma-exposed work environment requiring emotional resilience, sound judgment, and
strict adherence to confidentiality
Dene Tha’ First Nation Women’s and Children’s Emergency Shelter Employment Opportunity
Closing Date: March 31, 2026
Send resume with a Criminal Record and Child Intervention checks to:
Human Resources Manager
Dene Tha’ First Nation
Box 958 High Level, AB TOH 1Z0
Phone: 780 926-2786 or Fax: (780) 926-5730
Email: DoreenA@denetha.ca
We thank all candidates in advance, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
