Program Head, Educational Assistant

Work in a purpose driven career with MaKami College, a public post-secondary college that has been helping students for over 20 years, with locations in Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta.

MaKami College offers students in-person, online, and blended programs in Massage Therapy, Health Care Aide, Business Administrative Assistant, Medical Office Assistant, and more. Rapidly growing, we are working to expand our campuses and are continuously working to add programs to our course catalogue. We work with our team to grow and develop in areas they are passionate about, focusing on our MaKami Pillars - Leadership, Professionalism, Helpfulness, and Inspiration. MaKami team members are provided with many opportunities for professional career growth in a fulfilling and dynamic work environment.

The MaKami team is passionate about creating generational change through education, and we provide the tools and a safe environment for our staff to change the lives of our students and their families.

The Program Head is responsible for the academic leadership, operational management, continuous improvement, and overall student success of the Educational Assistant program. This includes faculty leadership, curriculum oversight, practicum partnership development, regulatory compliance, student support, and strategic program growth.

The successful candidate will bring extensive Educational Assistant, K-12, inclusive education, or disability support experience combined with demonstrated leadership experience in educational settings. The role will work closely with faculty, students, school divisions, community partners, and internal departments to ensure a high-quality and industry-relevant learning experience.

Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Operations

• Provide day-to-day leadership of the Educational Assistant Certificate Program.
• Support student success, retention, progression, and completion.
• Monitor program performance and identify opportunities for improvement and growth.
• Collaborate with Academic Leadership to develop and implement program goals and strategic priorities.
• Ensure program delivery aligns with institutional policies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare reports and updates for internal stakeholders regarding program performance and outcomes.
• Support scheduling, staffing, workload planning, and other operational requirements.

Faculty Leadership

• Recruit, mentor, coach, and support instructors within the Educational Assistant program.
• Conduct classroom observations and provide constructive feedback and professional development support.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and student-centered teaching culture.
• Promote instructional excellence and innovative teaching practices.
• Support faculty in meeting curriculum, assessment, and student engagement expectations.

Curriculum & Quality Assurance

• Lead ongoing curriculum review and enhancement initiatives.
• Collaborate with faculty and instructional design teams to maintain program relevance and alignment with industry expectations.
• Ensure course content reflects current best practices in inclusive education, accessibility, behaviour support, assistive technology, and diverse learning needs.
• Monitor student and employer feedback and recommend improvements to program delivery.
• Support quality assurance and continuous improvement activities.

Practicum & Community Partnerships

• Develop and maintain relationships with school divisions, private schools, community organizations, disability support agencies, and other practicum partners.
• Support the identification and expansion of practicum opportunities for students.
• Collaborate with practicum and student services teams to ensure positive placement experiences.
• Promote graduate employment opportunities through strong industry partnerships.

Student Support & Success

• Support students in achieving learning outcomes and program completion.
• Collaborate with Student Services and Academic Support teams to address student needs and concerns.
• Foster a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive learning environment.
• Assist with conflict resolution and student success planning when required.
• Support implementation of learner accommodations and accessibility practices.

External Relations & Compliance

• Maintain awareness of provincial legislation, educational trends, and industry developments relevant to Educational Assistants and inclusive education.
• Participate in meetings and consultations with government, industry, and community stakeholders as required.
• Support compliance with applicable accreditation, licensing, and regulatory requirements.
• Represent MaKami College at community and industry events.

General Responsibilities

• Manage departmental resources effectively and responsibly.
• Contribute to institutional initiatives, committees, and projects.
• Support cross-functional collaboration across the College.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Certificate or diploma in Educational Assistant Studies, Special Education, Disability Studies, Inclusive Education, or a related field; and
• Minimum five (5) years of experience working as an Educational Assistant or in a related inclusive education, disability support, or learner support role.
• Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, program coordination, or management experience within an educational or student support environment.

OR

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Education, Special Education, Disability Studies, Inclusive Education, Educational Psychology, or a related field; and
• Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, program coordination, or management experience within an educational or student support environment.

Perks & Benefits:

• Health Spending & Lifestyle Accounts
• Educational Allowance for Professional Development
• Emergency Allowance for Unexpected Needs
• Free Massages at Our Student Clinic
• Discounts on College Programs & Courses
• Staff Discount in College Store
• On-Site Gym Access
• Free Parking

Qualified candidates should reply to this ad with their cover letter and resume. This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those who meet our criteria will be contacted to continue in our process.