2025-50 Deaf/Hard of Hearing Mentor

hybrid
Flexible within Atlantic Canada, Atlantic Canada, Canada .
full-time . September 11, 2025

Description

COMPETITION #: 2025-50

INITIAL POSTING DATE: September 16, 2025

LOCATION: Flexible within Atlantic Canada, with option for hybrid work

POSITION: Full Time, Permanent

SALARY: In accordance with the APSEA/NSGEU Agreement

APPLICATION BY: September 26, 2025 at noon

START: October 2025

Unlock Your Potential with APSEA – A Career That Makes a Difference!

Are you ready to be part of something bigger? Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority (APSEA) is more than just an agency – it’s a community dedicated to empowering children and youth across Atlantic Canada who are Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing (DHH), blind, have low vision (BLV). Since 1975, we’ve been on a mission to provide inclusive, responsive, and flexible educational services. Now, we want you to join us and help make a lasting impact on the lives of learners and their families.

Why Join Us? By becoming an Education Support Specialist (ESS) - Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) Mentor with APSEA, you’ll have the opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of children and youth with diverse needs while working alongside a team of dedicated professionals.

At APSEA, we offer more than just a job – we offer an environment where your passion and skills will thrive.

Here’s what we bring to the table:

Access to a Pension Plan
Comprehensive Blue Cross Health and Dental Benefits
Professional Learning Opportunities to keep you at the top of your game
A supportive, inclusive culture where diversity is celebrated and embraced

What’s the Role? The ESS – Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) Mentor works under the Coordinator of Programs – DHH to support learners who are Deaf, deaf, and hard of hearing, their families, APSEA staff, and educational teams. The DHH Mentor draws on their lived experience as an individual who is Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing to support communication, identity, culture and self-advocacy.

Through both virtual and in-person support, the DHH Mentor acts as a positive role model - sharing strategies, insights, and real-world experiences to promote inclusion and accessibility for learners who use hearing assistive technology to access auditory information and spoken language, ASL or both. The DHH Mentor helps families and school teams understand the fluidity of Deaf/hard of hearing identity and the diverse ways learners may identify.

Day-to-day

The Mentor:

Collaborates with APSEA staff, learners, families, and school teams to support the areas related to:

-Language strategies and exposure

-Communication modality options

-Hearing assistive technology

-Deaf/hard of hearing culture and fluidity of DHH identity

-Social skills and/or post-secondary career and education options

Supports observation and documentation of the language development with the family, Education Support Teacher – DHH, and Education Support Specialist - ASL and school team.
Supports building culture and community through sharing of information of programs, supports, and events in the community.
Works virtually and in-person with learners, developing skills to enhance self-advocacy and success.
Supports processes to create a safe, equitable, positive, and supportive learning environment in which diversities are valued.

What You Bring to the Table: You’re not just looking for any job – you’re passionate about education, and you bring a wealth of knowledge and experience.

We are looking for someone who has:

Lived experience/first voice perspective as a Deaf, deaf, and hard of hearing person (required).
Knowledge and experience with hearing assistive technology (e.g. hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone-anchored devices, remote microphone systems).
A minimum of (3) years' experience working with children, youth, and/or families.
Functional literacy in English. 
Grade 12 or recognized equivalency.
The ability to work collaboratively and relate positively to children, families, early learning staff, APSEA staff, administrators, educational team members and community partners. 
Confidentiality and professionalism with regard to access and distribution of student information.
A strong commitment to professional growth and learning to remain current in the field.
Experience working in a virtual learning environment.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
The ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Flexible working hours may be required outside of school hours.
The ability to frequently travel within the four Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador).
Has access to a reliable mode of personal transportation; may require overnight stays. Regular travel is required.

Would be a plus if you have:

Certificate or Diploma in Human Services, Youth Worker Program, Early Childhood Education or Undergraduate Degree in Social Sciences, Social Work or Education would be considered.
Experience in community engagement, advocacy initiatives (e.g. participation  in Deaflympics, accessibility efforts, advocacy groups, or other community-based organizations).
ASLPI Rating from Sign Language Instructors of Canada (SLIC).
Early Childhood Education.
ASL/English Literacy experience.
ASL proficiency.

Note: an offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials.

APSEA embraces a culture of belonging in the workplace. We believe that the lived experiences of individuals enrich our organization and enhance our ability to serve Atlantic communities. We value the unique perspectives and contributions of all individuals and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

If you require accommodation in the application and/or interview process, please let our HR Generalist know at julia_pascucci@apsea.ca.

If you’re ready to make an extraordinary difference in the lives of children and youth in Atlantic Canada, don’t wait! Apply now and join an incredible team that’s helping to shape the future of education.

Compensation

$51,731.04 - $64,122.76 per year

Know someone who would be a perfect fit? Let them know!