Special Education Programs Analyst

The Peel District School Board (PDSB) is a racially, culturally and linguistically diverse board that serves approximately 148,000 students and 17,000+ employees. In PDSB, 87% of students are racialized, non-white, representing 162 different ethnic backgrounds. Students in Peel have 121 different first languages. Student diversity also exists in terms of gender and gender expression, sexuality and in terms of ability and faith. A responsive and empathetic understanding of the lived experiences of the students and communities we serve is vital to those who will take on leadership roles within the PDSB. The workforce consists of teachers, office staff, custodial staff, education assistants and professional staff. The workforce is largely unionized through PDSB’s numerous affiliated bargaining agents.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Superintendent of Special Education and the Controller of Finance Support Service, the EA Staffing and Programs Analyst will support the EA Allocation process, monitoring student program placements through rigorous data collection, analysis and reporting and recommend necessary adjustments according to the data to ensure adherence to Ministry Special Education expectations and ensure fiscal responsibility. The board has over 2,300 EAs with an annual spend of over $120 Million.

Key Responsibilities

EA Allocation:

• For every data collection period (Spring, Summer and Fall) while ensuring adherence to staffing timelines, analyze the student needs based on provided SIF (student independence form) data, make recommendations for EA staffing and then after consultation with the Finance department, determine and communicate the school-based allocations.
• Analyze student needs and enrollment data to determine the equitable allocation of Educational Assistants (EAs) across schools.
• Collaborate with Coordinating Principals, IERTs, Finance and Human Resources to align EA assignments with student support requirements (SIF).
• Ensure EA allocations align with board policies, collective agreements, and provincial regulations.
• Promote equitable access to support for all students.

Data Collection and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate data on EA deployment, student support needs (SIF), and school-based allocation with adherence to staffing timelines.
• Maintain accurate data on class placements across the system to determine where there is space for additional placements and how this impacts EA staffing in schools.
• Create a system to track student movement between school and programs and how this will impact EA Staffing.
• Generate reports and dashboards to support decision-making and resource planning.
• Provide insights and recommendations to improve support models and optimize EA usage.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Serve as a liaison between the Special Education, Human Resources and Finance Departments as well as school Administrators
• Clearly communicate EA allocation decisions and criteria to all partners through the EA allocation mailbox.
• Communicate to Special Education program placement availability that will support the IPRC process.

Support Budget and Resource Planning:

• Assist in preparing budget forecasts related to EA staffing and special programs placements.
• Monitor resource utilization to support efficient use of board funding.
• Report to the Director's Office, with the SO of Special Education and the Controller of Finance the forecasted EA need (as needed).

Qualifications

• College or university degree in a business or accounting related field.
• Understanding of financial and budgeting processes; ability to leverage various corporate systems for data extraction and analysis; and provide evidenced based recommendations.
• 3-5 years related experience with respect to data analysis.
• Superior Excel skills and sound knowledge of all other Microsoft suite of products.

Additional Skills & Assets

Accounting certification would be an asset.

Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.

Additional Notes

Preference will be given to qualified members of the Administrative Staff Group (ASG).

This is a single incumbent role that will be heavily relied on as a subject matter expert with respect to analysis of data from SIS related to students requiring EA support and aligning this information with school staff and EA availability based on budget. This position will have joint accountability to the Coordinating Superintendent of Special Education and the Controller, Finance Support Services. The individual will be required to use multiple enterprise systems to access the data they require for their analysis - SIS, VISTA and FIS. This will require very strong analytical skills and attention to detail. Additionally, the individual will need strong communication and presentation skills in order to effectively share their analysis with senior leadership in support of recommendations for staffing changes or EA allocation model changes.

Careers with the Peel District School Board

Commitment to Equity, Anti-Oppression and Anti-Racism

The Peel District School Board is committed to equity in employment. We are committed to equitable hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the full diversity of the Region of Peel. We will provide reasonable accommodation (e.g. an accessible location, rescheduling of interviews that fall on Days of Significance etc.) based on any of the human rights protected grounds, during the hiring process if advised in advance. We are also committed to inclusion, anti-oppression and anti-racist practices while also supporting the continuous growth and development of an equitable and empowered education system at the PDSB.

Criminal Background Check

Successful candidates must provide a satisfactory Criminal Background Check prior to commencing employment. Please review the requirements for the Criminal Background Check.

We appreciate the interest of all applicants, but will only be contacting candidates whose skills, experience and qualifications best meet the requirements of the position. All communication to applicants regarding this job posting, including an invitation to complete skills assessments and/or a job interview if applicable, will be made through email. Candidates are encouraged to regularly check their email as listed on their TalentLink account.

Land Acknowledgement

The land upon which we work, live and sustain ourselves is the ancestral and treaty lands of the Miichizaagiig Anishinaabek also known today as the Mississaugas of the Credit, the rightful caretakers and title holders of this land. We also recognize the rich pre-contact history and relationships which include the Anishinaabek and the Onkwehonwe. Since European Contact, this land continues to be home to Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. As responsible community members, we value the diversity, dignity and worth of all people. Colonialism displaced and dispossessed Indigenous peoples of their ancestral lands and continues to deny their basic human rights, dignities and freedoms. We are committed to learning true history to reconcile, make reparations and fulfill our treaty obligations to the Original Peoples and our collective responsibilities to the land, water, animals, and each other for future generations.

Discover why you should consider a career with us!