Early Childhood Assistant

Position Title: Early Childhood Development Assistant

Employment Status: Permanent Full time

Position Status: This is a Bargaining Unit position. All terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement apply.

Position Type: This posting is for an existing vacancy

Job Posting Deadline for Internal Candidates: August 24, 2026, at 5:00pm

Hours of Work/Schedule: Monday to Friday, 35 Hours per week

Annualized salary range: $29,410 - $31,311 commensurate on skills and experience, plus participation in HOOPP & Group Benefits.

Position Reports To: Manager, Integrated Care and Experience 

Location South Oshawa (with flexibility to work in other sites as required: North Oshawa and Pickering, Ajax, and Whitby) as needed

Organization

Who We Are: Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) is a registered charitable organization that provides integrated, accessible, and equitable community-based primary care, wellness services, and health education for Durham community members facing barriers to health and well-being.

Who We Serve: DCHC offers equity-focused programs and services for priority populations, including Indigenous peoples, Black communities, 2SLGBTQI+ community members, newcomers to Canada, seniors, and clients without a family doctor. This approach helps community members access both preventive care and care when they are ill.

How We Work: Our interprofessional team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, counsellors, dietitians, outreach workers, medical secretaries, and administrative staff. Together, we place each client at the centre of care and respond to their needs through integrated clinical care, wellness supports, and health education.

Why Join Now: This is an exciting time to join DCHC as we advance an energizing path toward greater impact in local health care. Guided by our Strategic Plan, Theory of Change, brand, client stories, and resources, we are diversifying, expanding, and strengthening how we serve the community.

Position Overview

Working as a member of the Early Childhood Development team within the Health Promotion & Community Development Services (HPCDS) department, this role works as part of a self-directed team that promotes and assists in the development and implementation of health and wellness programs for Durham CHC clients, particularly within our Early Years Programs and Child-minding Services. Additionally, this role works in partnership with community organizations and services partners/providers, as well as community groups and individuals to achieve program deliverables. This role supports the Early Childhood Development Worker and will collaborate within an inter-professional team of health professionals across the community network that influences the health environment targeted to clients ages 0 – 6 years, as well as within the Agency’s team structure, in support of goals that align with and achieve delivery of these programs to the community.

Key Responsibilities:

1.      Support the development, implementation and evaluation of programs (focus is on Early Years), services and community initiatives in response to community needs in order to achieve organizational objectives.

2.      Support collaboration with other community agencies/individuals supporting child development in the Oshawa and Durham area.

3.      Ensure all necessary paperwork (i.e. registration forms, permission forms, incident reports, attendance, feedback forms etc.); statistics, reports/evaluations, and other important information are communicated to manager.

4.      Act as an advocate for clients by providing assistance/links to a variety of resource networks, services and programs in the community as a way of improving their overall health and well being

5.      Provide support to community events and group initiatives both internally and externally.

Other duties within scope of duties include:

1.  Collaborates with team members in establishing goals/objectives and their delivery.

2. Maintains a knowledge and information level conducive to competent functioning in areas of assignment. Methods may include personal study, attendance at conference/seminars or formal course work, etc.

3. Consults regularly with relevant community partners, colleagues and management as required within scope of duties.

Key Qualifications

1. Completion of High School
2. Minimum 1 year experience working with young children.
3. Proven competencies in early childhood development program support, implementation and evaluation, in providing education and support to families and caregivers and in applying relevant legislation, policies, procedures and regulations to healthy child development programs and their settings.
4. Proven conflict resolution and negotiation skills with diverse stakeholders.
5. Reliable vehicle is required.
6. Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team.
7. Must be able to follow direction and ensure follow-up with minimum supervision.
8. Must be well organized, with good planning skills and the ability to problem solve.
9. Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with external agencies and organizations.
10. Ability to maintain confidentiality and safe guard client privacy.
11. Must have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
12. Proficiency with computer skills and experience (MS Office 2007, database entry experience).

Key Attributes include: 

Demonstrated Minimum Attributes core to the Agency:  Service oriented, Initiative, Results oriented, Flexible/Adaptable, Collaborative, Effective Communication Skills, Team Player, Ability to manage risk within one’s responsibility & accountability, Ability to take Accountability.

In addition, the following are the role-specific attributes:

Conceptual thinker; Efficient, Alliance builder, Creative & Innovative Thinker, Analytical/Systematic, Empathic

Working Conditions:

·        Frequent standing and monitoring of infant/children requiring focused attention for care and safety.

·        May be exposed to illness and unsanitary conditions in which established H&S protocols must be adhered to at all times.

·        Be aware of surroundings and be responsible for personal safety and safety of clients.

·        Moderate to heavy lifting.

·        Handling of program equipment and materials (e.g., food preparation, community kitchen equipment/resources).

·        Regular interaction and collaborative work with cross disciplinary colleagues and community care partners.

·        Must monitor their own time and stress levels to ensure that they are able to effectively assist clients and colleagues. They may find that they are continually interrupted and may have to quickly assess situations to respond appropriately.

Full vaccination against COVID-19 is mandatory for this position (DCHC will however adhere to its duty to accommodate those who are unable to be fully vaccinated for a reason related to a human right protected ground).

DCHC encourages applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of the communities served, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and other equity-deserving groups.

Application Process:

1. We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicant submissions will be kept on file for six months for future consideration.
2. Applicants are encouraged to provide a valid email address for communication purposes. Written correspondence about this job posting may be sent directly to the email address provided on the resume. Applicants are responsible for checking their email regularly.
3. All external hires must successfully complete pre-employment requirements, including reference checks and criminal background checks, including Vulnerable Sector Screening.
4. Please note that AI technology supports the application screening process. All final hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team.

Durham Community Health Centre (DCHC) is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and celebrates diversity so all employees have the opportunity to thrive. DCHC will comply with all applicable standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), the Ontario Human Rights Code, and any other applicable legislation. If you have accessibility needs and require alternate formats or other accommodations, please contact our Talent and Culture team at 905-723-0036 or by email at [email protected].