Director, Indigenous Academic Initiatives

Douglas College; New Westminster; On-site; CAD 104,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Transit-accessible campuses

Hybrid work arrangements for eligible

Competitive salaries

Excellent Health and Dental Benefits

Defined-Benefit Pension Plan

Professional Development opportunities

Job summary

Douglas College is seeking a Director, Indigenous Academic Initiatives, to provide day-to-day and strategic leadership for Indigenous initiatives within the Academic portfolio. The role reports to the Vice President, Academic and Provost and collaborates with campus partners on Indigenization goals and related priorities.

The incumbent will oversee curriculum development, accreditation support, and research ethics in Indigenous contexts, while driving faculty development and cultural competency

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education, Indigenous Studies, or related discipline.
• At least five years of related experience in a similar position.
• Three+ years of progressive leadership and administrative experience in a post-secondary or relevant setting.
• Strong knowledge of Indigenous history, culture, and perspectives.
• Experience as a relationship builder and collaborative problem solver.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice and guidance on Indigenous academic initiatives.
• Develop initiatives for long and short-term goals advancing social responsibility and Indigenous priorities.
• Support units in Indigenous planning and development and implementation of academic plans.
• Lead development of resources to support Indigenous student success and engagement in teaching and learning.
• Advise on curriculum development, program planning, and accreditation for Indigenous engagement.
• Collaborate to integrate Elders' teachings in curriculum and facilitate Indigenous research ethics.
• Lead faculty professional development to support Indigenization across the College.
• Provide advice to Academic Administrators and faculty on cultural competency and safety training.
• Model the Douglas College Core Competencies.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Indigenous knowledge

Curriculum development

Stakeholder collaboration

Change management

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in Education

Master's degree in Indigenous Studies

Job description

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Position Information

Location New Westminster/Coquitlam Campus Salary Range

Pay Band 13 (Min: $103,701 Control Point: $138,268 Max: $159,008).

Placement within a salary band is typically up to Control Point based on skills, experience and internal equity. May place over Control Point in limited circumstances.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Vice President, Academic and Provost, the Director, Indigenous Academic Initiatives, provides day-to-day and strategic leadership for Indigenization within the Academic portfolio. Working collaboratively with campus partners, this position is responsible for overseeing and providing leadership for the academic Indigenization goals at the College and providing strategic support for related Indigenization priorities and special projects.

Indigenization within the Academic Portfolio

• Provide strategic advice and guidance to the VP, Academic and Provost on Indigenous academic initiatives;
• Develop initiatives for long and short-term goals that advance the College's commitment to social responsibility including aligning College practices and processes with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the TRC's Calls to Action;
• Provide expert advice and high-level support to units across the College, and especially to those lacking expert faculty and staff, in their address of Indigenous issues and development and implementation of Indigenous academic plans and initiatives;

Strategic Leadership in Indigenous Curriculum and Pedagogy

• Assess needs and lead the development of resources for instructional faculty to support Indigenous student success as well as institution-wide Indigenous engagement in teaching and learning;
• Advise and support faculty in the preparation of new and revised programs and accreditation processes to ensure Indigenous engagement in curriculum development and assessment;
• Collaborate with the Manager, Indigenous Community Development and faculty to articulate and facilitate the integration of Elders' teachings in curriculum;

Strategic Leadership in Faculty Research

• In collaboration with the Research and innovation Office, provide advice on the development of guidelines to support Indigenous-centred research ethics and community-based research practices;
• Maintain awareness of best practices in Indigenous Research;
• Provide specialist advice to the Research Ethics Board during the review process of research proposals involving Indigenous communities;

Faculty Professional Development

• In collaboration with Human Resources, lead the development and implementation of faculty professional development to support Indigenization across the College;
• Provide advice and support to Academic Responsible Administrators and faculty to develop learning activities related to cultural competency, cultural safety, and cultural humility;
• Develop and facilitate professional development opportunities for faculty;

Other

• Actively model the Douglas College Core Competencies.

WHO WE ARE

Do what you love. Be good at it. That's how Douglas College defines a great career. It's a philosophy that resonates through our classrooms, our offices and our boardrooms. It inspires our students and drives us to make Douglas College one of BC's Top Employers. We love what we do. And we're looking for passionate, motivated people to join us in making one of Canada's best degree-granting colleges even better.

Be a part of an institution where everyone is committed to empowering successful students, creating responsive learning environments, fostering social and environmental responsibility, and supporting healthy learning and work environments.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Transit-accessible campuses
• Hybrid work arrangements for eligible positions
• Competitive salaries
• Excellent Health and Dental Benefits for eligible positions
• Defined-Benefit Pension Plan for eligible positions
• Professional Development opportunities
• Access to our Fitness Centres and Classes

WHAT IT TAKES

• Established professional credibility as evidenced by a Master's degree in Education, Indigenous Studies, or related discipline;
• A minimum of five (5) years of related experience in a similar position, ideally in a post-secondary context;
• A minimum of three (3) years of progressive leadership and administrative experience in a post-secondary or relevant setting;
• Demonstrated robust knowledge and understanding of Indigenous history, culture, historic and current Indigenous perspectives, relevant issues and/or comparable lived experience;
• Demonstrated experience as a relationship builder and trusted liaison, by demonstrating integrity and being authentic, collaborative, inclusive and a creative problem solver;
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, academic program planning, and/or research initiatives, including the ability to integrate Indigenous knowledges, perspectives, and pedagogies through collaborative engagement with Indigenous communities, faculty, and academic leaders;
• Understanding and demonstrated commitment to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion;
• Understanding and demonstrated commitment to Indigenization;
• Understanding of best practices in Indigenous education;
• Understanding of best practices in Indigenous research;
• Understanding of and experience with the assessment of Indigenous academic initiatives in a post-secondary context;
• Proven capacity to manage change and a demonstrated ability to drive innovations from conception through to implementation;
• Demonstrated success in handling highly sensitive issues in complex environments, with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and objectivity;
• Demonstrated use of discretion, confidentiality, sound judgment, sensitivity, and critical thinking;
• Demonstrated excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills that are adapted based on the intended audience;
• Ability to work within a culturally and demographically diverse campus community;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines and manage changing priorities;
• Ability to adjust work schedule as necessary to meet needs that may arise outside of traditional work hours;
• Demonstrated abilities that align with the Douglas College Core Competency Framework.
• Indigenous ancestry preferred, with strong knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultures and communities in both urban settings and on traditional territories, as well as students' social and educational needs, including the importance of cultural identity and community resources. Equivalent experience, training and extensive knowledge of and work with Indigenous organizations may be considered if not of Indigenous ancestry.

Additional Information

Regular hours of work are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, however occasional evenings and weekends may be required. This position will be based at the New Westminster Campus. Occasional travel between Douglas College's locations as required.

Douglas College (DC) is committed to supporting a healthy work/life balance for Employees. As per the DC Administration Policy A70 Work from Home, College employees may be eligible to work from home on a part-time basis, subject to operational requirements and approval by their Responsible Administrator (RA).