Coordinator, Indigenous Student Access (updated)

Vancouver Island University; Powell River; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Paid holidays

Professional development

Pension plan

Flexible work opportunities

Job summary

Vancouver Island University is seeking a Coordinator to support Indigenous students across academic, cultural and financial services. You will build relationships with Indigenous communities, plan events, and coordinate cultural programming with campus partners to promote belonging and well-being.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed, culturally grounded support and collaboration across departments to deliver seamless services and strong student outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and minimum three years supporting post-secondary learners.
• Minimum three years experience working with Indigenous communities or stakeholders.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Understanding of Indigenous student experiences and impacts of colonization.
• Strong cultural competencies including knowledge of Indigenous practices, protocols, traditions and Knowledges.
• Superior intercultural communication, interpersonal and facilitation skills; ability to resolve conflict.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively; strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Training in trauma-informed practice; Class 5 driver's license and satisfactory driving record.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Canva, and Constant Contact (preferred).
• ASIST and Food Safe certifications or willingness to obtain these certificates.

Responsibilities

• Support Indigenous students in transitioning to university life by connecting them with academic and student services.
• Assess student financial need and coordinate Indigenous Emergency Assistance Fund bursaries.
• Provide crisis response support including safety planning and referrals.
• Build relationships with Indigenous Nations, community partners, and facilitators to support programming.
• Coordinate facilitators and activities to ensure cultural integrity and student safety; align with Indigenous values.
• Collaborate with internal departments to coordinate payments for presenters and Knowledge Holders.
• Plan and deliver events, workshops, and programming to support student success and belonging.
• Develop mentorship and peer support opportunities through the su'luqw'a' Community Cousins program.
• Provide outreach through multiple channels and maintain culturally safe spaces for students.
• Address disruptive behaviours with professional judgment, escalating concerns while maintaining trust.

Skills

Indigenous student experience

Cultural competencies

Intercultural communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Trauma-informed practice

Independent and collaborative work

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, education, child and youth care, Indigenous studies

Tools

Microsoft Office

Canva

Constant Contact

Job description

Under the general supervision of the Director, Office of Indigenous Education and Engagement and the tiwsemawtxw Campus Administrator, this position plays a key role in supporting Indigenous students throughout their educational journey by facilitating access to academic, cultural, financial, and personal supports. Working within the Office of Indigenous Education and Engagement, this position co-creates a culturally safe, inclusive, and responsive environment that honours Indigenous identities, Knowledges, and traditions. The Coordinators build strong relationships with students, Indigenous communities, and campus partners, provide holistic and trauma-informed support (including during times of crisis), and contributes to programming and initiatives that promote student success, belonging, and well-being.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Indigenous students in transitioning to university life by connecting them with academic and student services as well as relevant cultural, peer, and external supports.
• Assess student financial need, support with budget planning, scholarship and bursary profile completion, and coordinate Indigenous Emergency Assistance Fund bursaries.
• Provide crisis response support including safety planning and referrals.
• Build and maintain relationships with Indigenous Nations, community partners, and facilitators to support seamless delivery of cultural and other programming.
• Coordinate and oversee facilitators and activities to ensure cultural integrity, adherence to VIU policies and procedures, and student safety; work with VIU Elders-in-Residence to ensure alignment with Indigenous values, Knowledges, and trauma-informed practices.
• Work with internal departments to coordinate payments for presenters and Knowledge Holders in alignment with cultural protocols.
• Collaborate across campus departments and areas to ensure culturally responsive and seamless service delivery.
• Plan and deliver events, workshops, and programming that support students throughout the year (ex., scholarship and bursary profile workshops, bannock-making with students, etc.).
• Develop and mentorship and peer support opportunities for Indigenous students through the 'su'luqw'a' Community Cousins program.
• Provide outreach and communication through multiple channels (newsletter, social media, posters, etc.).
• Maintain welcoming, culturally safe spaces for students and provide trauma-informed and culturally grounded support to Indigenous students.
• Address and manage disruptive behaviours within Shq'apthut using professional judgment, balancing safety, confidentiality, and relationship-building. Escalate concerns appropriately while maintaining trust and cultural integrity.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (social work, education, child and youth care, Indigenous studies) and minimum three years supporting post-secondary learners. Minimum three years experience working with Indigenous communities or stakeholders. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Understanding of Indigenous student experiences and impacts of colonization.
• Strong cultural competencies including an understanding of the diversity of Indigenous cultures with a personal commitment to incorporating Indigenous practices, local Indigenous protocols, traditions, and Knowledges.
• Proven superior intercultural communication skills, interpersonal skills, facilitation skills, and ability to resolve conflict.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Training in trauma-informed practice.
• Class 5 driver's license and satisfactory driving record.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, Canva, and Constant Contact (preferred).
• ASIST and Food Safe certifications or willingness to obtain these certificates.

For this position, we also want to highlight that First Nations, Inuit, or Metis ancestry is regarded as directly relevant to the skills and knowledge for excellence in the position. Pursuant to Section 41 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, priority will be given to applicants of Indigenous ancestry.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Vancouver Island University programs, services, supports, and faculty areas.
• Understanding and experience working with regional Indigenous communities located on Vancouver Island and in the q'athet region with an awareness of local cultural protocol.
• Lived experience working and/or living in Indigenous communities.

This position requires a regular on-campus presence and is not eligible for hybrid or remote work. Evening work is required approximately 3 times per month and weekend work is required occasionally.

This work involves remaining stationery at a computer using a mouse, keyboard, and telephone. Lifting boxes, moving furniture and picking up supplies for events are part of this work. Light tidying of the space and light gardening duties are required.

VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note

• Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.
• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students. In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences. We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter. When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity. Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.