Learning Strategist, Autism and Neurodiversity

Sinneave is recruiting for a permanent, full-time, Learning Strategist - Autism and Neurodiversity. This role is responsible for developing and advancing evidence-informed learning resources, services, and practices that build capacity related to autism, neurodiversity, and inclusion. The successful candidate will draw on their specialized knowledge of adult learning, instructional design, inclusive practices, and autism and neurodiversity, to advance Sinneave’s mandate.

As a member of the Innovation Team, this role collaborates with internal team members, community partners, and stakeholders to understand gaps in knowledge and services, develop approaches to addressing gaps, and provide guidance to team members in the development and refinement of learning and knowledge mobilization assets. The key function of this role is to ensure that Sinneave’s learning assets are effective and efficient in contributing to participants’ learning outcomes.

This is a permanent, full-time position, and pay is commensurate with job requirements, qualifications, and experience within a range of $80,000 - $100,000 per year. Sinneave also offers a comprehensive benefits program.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

In this role, success is demonstrated through the development and delivery of evidence-informed, accessible, and engaging learning resources and experiences that build knowledge and capacity related to autism, neurodiversity, and inclusion. Success also means applying professional expertise, evidence, and participant perspectives to strengthen Sinneave's services, resources, and practices through collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Work Context

In this role, you can expect:

• A set work schedule for a total of 37.5 hours each week (7.5 hrs/day).
• Eligibility for a hybrid / partially remote work arrangement.
• Primary working hours scheduled between 8:00am – 8:00pm MST Monday to Friday, with some flexibility based on operational needs, and on-site hours on Tuesday.
• Regular collaboration with colleagues.
• An organization committed to accessibility, inclusion, and neuroaffirming practices.

Skills and Competencies

To be effective in this role, you must have the following skills and competencies:

Communication Skills and Abilities

· Professional Communicating – able to prepare and deliver written, oral, or visual material that presents information clearly to diverse audiences.

· Accessibility in Communication – able to create and deliver content that meets organizational expectations of accessibility standards for all learners.

· Learning and Teaching Strategies – able to select and use training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Interpersonal Skills and Abilities

· Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships – able to develop respectful, constructive, and cooperative working relationships and maintain them over time.

· Advising and Consulting – able to provide guidance and advice to enable decision-making about tasks, situations, and processes.

· Persuading – able to influence other’s attitudes, decisions, behaviors, or actions by satisfying their requirements through communication, negotiation, and value demonstration.

Planning and Time Management

· Planning – the capability to establish priorities, organize tasks, allocate resources, and develop actionable plans and appropriate timelines to achieve defined outcomes.

· Time Management – the capability to independently assess competing priorities and make sound decisions regarding task sequencing and deadlines, adapting as required.

Resource Management

· Evaluating – able to assess processes, procedures, and outcomes to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, continuous improvement and measurable value.

· Managing Change – able to plan and implement strategies for effecting change, communicating the effects of change, and provide guidance and support to those affected by change.

Analytical Skills

· Problem Solving – the capacity to identify problems and review related information to develop solutions or feasible options to achieve the desired end state.

· Analysing Information – the capability to examine data or facts to determine appropriate actions or recommendations.

· Critical Thinking – the capability to use logic, reasoning, and sound judgment to analyze information, evaluate perspectives, identify solutions, and make informed decisions.

Personal Attributes and Abilities

· Attention to Detail – ensuring accuracy and quality of work (e.g., ability to detect and correct errors in spelling, grammar, design/layout, syntax).

· Initiative – proactively identifying opportunities, addressing issues, and taking appropriate action without being directed; demonstrating self-motivation and a willingness to go beyond assigned responsibilities to achieve objectives.

· Resilience – maintaining effectiveness, composure, and a positive approach when facing challenges, setbacks, pressure, or change and adapting to meet performance expectations.

· Tolerance for Ambiguity – able to function in an environment where there is a degree of unpredictability of work activities (the focus of the work my vary from week to week).

Digital Skills

· Proficiency – the capability to proficiently use Microsoft 365 Office Suite (e.g., Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Loop), Windows Operating System (e.g., Sharepoint), and online meeting platforms (e.g., Teams, Zoom).

· Proficiency – the capability to proficiently use learning management systems and digital platforms to represent learning content (e.g., Articulate Rise, Docebo).

· Information and Data Literacy – the capability to search for information, validate information, conduct data entry, and maintain digital records.

Knowledge

To be successful in this role, you require knowledge of and the ability to use:

· Knowledge of the principles of adult learning.

· Knowledge of instructional design.

· Knowledge of universal design for learning.

· Knowledge of principles and practices that promote inclusion.

· Knowledge of autism and/or other neurodevelopmental differences.

Qualifications (Education and Experience)

Required:

· A bachelor’s degree in Education, or other related field (e.g., psychology).

· A certificate, diploma, or degree in learning and instructional design, universal design, and/or adult learning.

· 5 years of relevant work experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of supports and services for neurodivergent learners.

Considered an Asset:

· Personal lived experience with Autism or neurodivergence.

· Graduate degree in Education, Learning Sciences, or another related field.

· A professional designation.

· Specific experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

Reporting relationship: The incumbent reports to the Director of Innovation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

· Uses data to identify community need, evaluate activities, demonstrate outcomes, and inform quality management decisions.

· Develops original source materials based on a synthesis of learnings.

· Researches, develops, delivers, and evaluates program and service delivery methods (e.g., instructional approaches, facilitation, coaching).

· Uses the principles of adult learning and universal design in the development and implementation of learning activities.

· Collaborates with cross-functional teams to support the design and implementation of programs and services.

· Contributes to knowledge translation activities relating to assigned programs and services (e.g., scaling services, community capacity building, presentations at conferences).

· Serves as a subject matter expert in instructional design and delivery, autism- and neurodivergent-related supports and services, and provides guidance and consultation to programs and services staff.

· Facilitates group-based workshops aimed at learning and skill development for Autistic and Neurodivergent youth and adults.

· Delivers presentations and workshops to various stakeholder groups.

Hiring Process

Sinneave is an inclusive employer, open and flexible in its thinking and approach to recruiting. We encourage all qualified candidates to advise us of their needs or preferences as it relates to the interview and assessment process for this role.

Sinneave will use a multi-stage assessment and selection process with an expected offer going out to the selected applicant the end of November with an anticipated start date of January 4, 2027. The first stage of the assessment process will invite selected candidates to draw from their experience to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and competencies related to certain aspects of the role. The second stage will invite selected candidates to participate in an interview.

Sinneave is committed to ensuring accessibility throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodations during the application and selection process, please email [email protected].

All candidates will receive a copy of the interview questions in advance of the interview meeting.

To Apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter electronically to:

Sandra James, Administrative Coordinator

[email protected]

Or drop-off in person at our reception desk:

Attention: Sandra James, Administrative Coordinator

The Sinneave Family Foundation

Suite 300, Child Development Centre

3820 - 24 Ave NW

Calgary, AB

T3B 2X9

Fax (403) 284.9298

www.sinneavefoundation.org

Application Deadline: When the position has been successfully filled.