Assistant Director, Field Service Division

Assistant Director

Field Service Division

Full-time term position

The British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF), located on the unceded ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlil̓w̓ətaɬ nations since 1917, is a union of professionals representing over 50,000 public school teachers throughout the province of BC. As an organization, we are dedicated to advancing learning conditions for students concurrently with advocating for BC's public school teachers and the teaching profession. We are also deeply committed to democratic decision-making and supporting the engagement of the teachers who make up our member base. Equally, we act on our belief in social justice in schools and the broader community, and actively support our members in striving to achieve equity, inclusion, and a more just society for their students today and into the future.

The BCTF office building is situated in close proximity to the Canada Line and other major transit routes in a central Vancouver location. The BCTF provides an exceptional working environment where respect, learning, and professional growth are championed and valued. Please note, this is a full-time, in-person position based out of the head office in Vancouver.

Function and purpose

Reporting to both the Director, Field Service Division (FSD) and the Executive Director, the Assistant Director provides support to locals in political action, contract enforcement, bargaining, communications, and the handling of a range of professional, social justice, Aboriginal education, and other issues.

Principal duties and responsibilities

The successful candidate for this position will be involved in:

• providing advice, assistance, and support to locals regarding the development of effective local structures and planning processes.
• administration and enforcement of the collective agreement up to and including Step 3 of the grievance procedure.
• Federation campaigns and initiatives related to Federation priorities which may at any given time focus on education funding, bargaining, professional or social justice issues, health and safety, Aboriginal education, or other matters; as well as any issues which may arise at any time related to these areas.
• personnel and other pressing local issues.
• dealing with community and other emergent issues.
• inter-member and inter-union relations in the district.

Other duties and responsibilities

• identifying, accessing, and providing appropriate Federation training to local officers and members
• co-ordinating grievances/problems in school districts involving more than one local
• co-ordinating and organizing the holding of zone meetings
• liaising with field representatives of other unions assigned to the region
• other duties as assigned.

Required qualifications

• Education
  • successful completion of a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree.

• Experience and competencies

• • excellent communication, organizational and administrative skills, and computer literacy
  • ability to function collaboratively within a team while maintaining high standards and exercising sound judgement in meeting individual responsibilities
  • demonstrated ability to effectively manage time while handling multiple concurrent priorities
  • demonstrated understanding of strategies for, and experience in, supporting member leadership, engaging members in the union, and capacity-building at the local level
  • demonstrated commitment to advancing equity and inclusion, and to on-going learning in this regard
  • relevant training, education, and experience in the areas of collective agreement administration, grievance handling, and dispute resolution including knowledge of relevant legislation
  • detailed knowledge of BCTF professional, social justice, and political initiatives
  • voluntary and/or elected service in teacher organization work
  • university training, public school teaching experience, preferably in British Columbia.

• Other desired qualifications, skills, and abilities

• • flexibility to work evenings and weekends
  • flexibility to travel
  • ability to communicate in French would be an asset
  • understanding of issues of social justice, equity, diversity, decolonization, and inclusion (JEDDI) with a desire to further develop in these areas.

Compensation

A competitive compensation package will be provided including a starting salary of $108,382.84 per annum (however, may differ if applicant has previous BCTF staff experience), a Special Allowance of $3,232.43 per annum, and excellent benefits including:

• extended health and dental (employer paid)
• long-term disability
• life insurance (employer paid)
• Teachers’ Pension Plan (shared contribution)
• seven (7) weeks of vacation per year, plus paid time off between December 26 and January 1
• thirty-five (35) hours weekly schedule Monday to Friday with flexible work hours
• generous professional development allowance
• on-site parking available/subsidized transit
• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• a supportive team environment.

Only applications received in writing by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024, will be considered. Please submit a letter of application and résumé, including reference contact information. 

Appointment date

November 1, 2024, or a mutually agreed upon date, and ending on August 31, 2029.

Diversity and accessibility statements

The BC Teachers’ Federation is committed to furthering social justice, diversity, decolonization, equity, and inclusion within our community. Applicants are encouraged to disclose, on a voluntary basis, whether they self-identify as a member of an equity-deserving group, which includes female, 2SLGBTQIA+ person, a person of colour, a person who has experienced racism, Aboriginal (Indigenous) person, and/or a person with a disability.

The BCTF strives for compliance with the Accessible British Columbia Act and ensuring our communities are as barrier-free as possible. Applicants requiring an accommodation are encouraged to contact the hiring manager at 604-871-2200.