Indigenous Student Support Specialist

Langara College

23d • CA$42 - CA$61 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Indigenous Student Services Specialist reports to the Associate Director of Indigenous Engagement and Initiatives. The Indigenous Student Services Specialist is a foundational role within the Indigenous Engagment and Initiatives (IEI) team. Overall leadership of IEI is the responsibility of the Executive Director. The Specialist works with their leader to establish a proactive and integrated system of student services that supports Indigenous students throughout their studies at the college, improves the overall quality of the Indigenous student experience, and creates systemic change within the Institution. The Specialist is responsible for overseeing a portfolio of programs, services, events, and projects that further these priorities. The Specialist works in close collaboration within IEI, the Indigenous Gathering Place, student services, academic programs, and colleagues across the institution, to accomplish this. The Specialists support programming, policy development, events, and projects that further the college’s strategic Indigenization priorities and Langara’s Strategic Framework.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline such as First Nations and Indigenous Studies.
• Minimum five (5) years of recent related experience, preferably in a post-secondary environment.
• Recent, related experience must include a) researching & developing policies advancing Indigenization strategy; b) creating and implementing a student recruitment and orientation strategy to support a successful transition to Langara; and c) developing student success and leadership programming with close collaboration with stakeholders.
• As an Indigenous student services, applicants must have a detailed understanding of the cultures and histories of Indigenous peoples of British Columbia.
• Applicants must have detailed understanding of the systemic issues and barriers discouraging Indigenous students from pursuing and completing a post-secondary education.
• Applicants must have experience living and working within Indigenous communities and have a good understanding of Indigenous cultural values, practices, protocols, and ceremony.
• Experience managing multiple projects, leading and implementing change resulting in improvements to service quality, staff productivity and systems efficiency.
• Understanding of the Canadian post-secondary system, strategic enrolment management concepts and academic policies and processes that contribute to a quality post-secondary experience.
• Applicants must be willing and able to complete Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid, CPR and AED training, Mental Health First Aid, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Safe Talk, Violent Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA), Positive Space, Naloxone, and other training programs and courses that support the creation of a safe and caring space within the Gathering Place for Indigenous students.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, professional boundaries, exercise initiative, discretionary judgment, and act with tact, diplomacy and integrity.
• Ability to effectively engage with students of diverse ages and backgrounds and support them during high stress situations.
• Intercultural and interpersonal skills to navigate sensitive topics and situations.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principle of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
• Proficient in the use of student information management systems and standard office applications.
• Prior training in trauma-informed practices; and/or engaging with individuals in distress.
• Ability to mediate conflicts and facilitate resolutions.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office (including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Forms, and SharePoint), Zoom, email marketing.
• A good understanding of social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms are used for student communications.

Nice To Haves

• Land based experiences and knowledge is considered an asset.
• Experience working with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers is also considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provides general academic advising regarding academic programs and credentials at the college in one-on-one advising, group advising, within presentations and remotely.
• Provides advising on student life, support services, and opportunities within and outside of the classroom.
• Applies knowledge of internal and external bursaries, scholarships, and awards; refers to and liaises with Financial Aid to provide financial literacy workshops.
• Provides strategic referrals to centralized and faculty-based student services.
• Works with and refers students to Counselling Services, Student Health Services, and Accessibility Services to support student wellness.
• Supports students with advocacy and systems navigation within the college.
• Creates and implements a data informed student recruitment and orientation strategy that supports first-year students in making a successful transition to the college and beyond.
• Oversees the transfer agreements that Langara shares with UBC and SFU, which provide Indigenous students with a pathway from Langara to a university degree at either institution.
• Assists in the creation of community within the Gathering Place, which is based upon the principles of safety, care and support, and respects and honours the cultural diversity of Indigenous peoples, and the different ways of knowing, being and doing.
• Develops student success and leadership programming that is created in close collaboration with students, staff, faculty, knowledge keepers, and elders.
• Establishes a student wellness strategy and programming that supports a multi-dimensional approach to Indigenous student health and wellbeing.
• Works in close collaboration with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to develop cultural supports and programming within the Gathering Place and across campus. Programming includes, but is not limited to, Elders services, Knowledge Keeper teachings, and ceremony.
• Oversees communications for the IES team, including managing the Gathering Place’s email list serves, social media, print collateral, signage, and other communication channels and initiatives.
• Works in partnership with campus partners to improve communication and engagement with Indigenous sponsors and other community stakeholders.
• Works in close collaboration with college partners to improve Indigenous student data, reporting and utilization within IEI and across the college.
• Under the direction of the Associate and Executive Directors identifies programming, services or events that support Indigenous student success, retention, and student experience at the college.
• In collaboration with partners across the college, participates in the planning the Annual Indigenous Graduation Celebration, National Indigenous Peoples Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and other Indigenous events on campus.
• Undertakes work and projects to implement the colleges’ Indigenous Strategic Plan and strategic priorities of Decolonization and Indigenization, Truth and Reconciliation, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Revises, develops, and implements College Policies, and educational initiatives, with respect to advancing the Indigenization Strategy through effective partnerships and programs.
• Represents IES on college committees, and projects that support the interests of Indigenous students and the department.
• Administrative tasks as required and all other assigned duties.

Benefits

• Extensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Hybrid-work program for eligible positions
• Generous vacation package plus paid time off during college winter closure (1 week in December)
• Employer paid defined benefit pension plan
• Potential eligibility for educational, training, and developmental programs
• Access to on-site daycare subject to availability
• Tuition waivers for courses at Langara College, subject to space availability
• Course/program tuition reimbursements
• Wellness classes and campus engagement events

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level