Indigenous Student Engagement Specialist

University of Alberta; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

University of Alberta is seeking an Indigenous Student Engagement Specialist to support Indigenous Arts students through engagement, advising, and strategic planning. The role is based at North Campus, Edmonton, and requires in-person collaboration with campus partners.

The ideal candidate will coordinate events, provide holistic advising from admissions through graduation, and contribute to the faculty’s Indigenous student success initiatives with a strong emphasis on cultural protocols and

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree (Arts or Native Studies preferred).
• Two to three years of experience in post‑secondary advising and/or student services preferred.
• First Nations, Métis, or Inuit identity with a strong understanding of cultural protocols and ceremonial practices.

Responsibilities

• Indigenous Student Engagement: develops and maintains digital channels and manages the Indigenous Student Gathering Space.
• Indigenous Student Engagement: plan and run engagement events and cultural ceremonies with partner offices.
• Indigenous Student Advising: provide holistic advising from admissions to graduation for Indigenous Arts students.
• Advising duties: schedule appointments for academically at risk students and refer to relevant resources.
• Strategic Planning: support goals to increase retention and engagement and participate in recruitment networks.

Skills

Cultural protocols knowledge

Public speaking

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Independent work

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Arts or Native Studies preferred)

Tools

PeopleSoft Campus Solutions

MS Office

Google applications

Job description

Job Description

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal applicants will be given priority consideration based on minimum qualifications, or a combination of experience, skills, and abilities before external applicants are considered.

Location: This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Reporting To The Senior Officer, Student Programs & Services, and working closely with the Manager, Advising & Engagement, the Indigenous Student Engagement Specialist (ISES) is a member of the Faculty Of Arts Engagement Team and oversees two critical areas that facilitate Indigenous student success in the Faculty of Arts.

• Providing engagement to/with current Indigenous students in the Faculty of Arts – including managing an Indigenous Student Gathering Space, creating and disseminating an Indigenous Student newsletter, creating and providing support and direction to the Arts Indigenous Student Association (to be established), and planning/organizing various engagement/cultural events and activities.
• Providing holistic advising support to current and prospective Indigenous students on academic and non‑academic concerns.

This role is also responsible for working directly in collaboration with First People’s House, Indigenous Enrollment Management, and other members of the Indigenous campus community.

Responsibilities

Indigenous Student Engagement

• Develops, implements and maintains electronic initiatives (website, chat rooms, message boards, e‑newsletters, blogs).
• Manages the Indigenous Student Gathering Space – this includes stocking it with snacks and other items, ensuring it is clean and well kept, providing events and activities, etc.
• Plans and implements engagement events, cultural ceremonies, collaborating (where applicable) with First Peoples House, Indigenous Student Union, and other Indigenous offices.
• Liaises with alumni and other community members to provide professional development opportunities for Indigenous students.

Indigenous Student Advising

• Provides holistic advising supports to current Indigenous Arts students and prospective students.
• Working closely with the Advising team, provides ongoing advising on student’s programs from admissions through to graduation, including processing application/admissions for Indigenous applicants, evaluating and posting transfer credit, providing advising on course selection and other program specific advise, participating in the academic standing process, and evaluating and clearing students for convocation.
• Schedules appointments with students who are identified as academically at risk. This appointment will serve to monitor the students’ progress, determine whether or not there are any problems and assist or refer the students to the relevant source of information or assistance.

Strategic Planning

• Supports the development of strategic plans aimed at increasing Indigenous student retention and engagement, as well as building the Faculty of Arts Indigenous student profile.
• Works closely with the Indigenous Enrollment Management/Recruitment team, participating in the Indigenous recruitment network as applicable.
• Based on the strategic plans, makes recommendations on engagement/retention goals (short and long‑term), key messaging and potential initiatives, such as creating an Arts Indigenous Student Council, Indigenous Student Peer Mentor program, and planning/implementing both cultural and social events for Indigenous students.
• Contributes and participates in the faculty’s overall student engagement strategy, providing an Indigenous lens to events and services provided.

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree (Arts or Native Studies preferred)
• Two to three years of experience in post‑secondary advising and/or student services preferred.
• Is First Nations, Métis, or Inuit with a strong understanding of cultural protocols and ceremonial practices.
• Demonstrated personal experience with Indigenous practices and relational ways of knowing required to connect with Indigenous communities, schools and students, plus a familiarity with Treaty 6, 7, and 8 First Nations and Métis communities in Alberta.
• Familiarity with Indigenous Post‑Secondary Institutions and transfer student process, including post‑secondary transfer articulation agreements, would be an asset.
• Strong cultural sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to speak and communicate in any Indigenous language is considered an asset.
• Experience with strategic planning and/or project management an asset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong public speaking skills.
• Knowledgeable in PeopleSoft Campus Solutions an asset.
• Computer proficiency in a Windows environment using MS Office applications, social media and Google applications.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a large complex organization with a variety of stakeholders across many disciplines and maintain high levels of professionalism.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision to meet research targets, goals, and expectations.
• Knowledge of University of Alberta policies and procedures an asset.

Benefits

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Location

This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Eligibility

This role requires confirmation of First Nation, Métis or Inuit membership or citizenship. Selected applicants will be asked for documentation prior to attending an interview.

About Us

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross‑section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Equal Opportunity

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l’université à postuler.

About The Team

The Faculty of Arts is a diverse and inclusive academic community spanning the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Through innovative research, teaching, creative expression, and strong community partnerships, the Faculty of Arts advances knowledge and drives positive societal change. It provides students with the tools to think critically, engage meaningfully, and contribute to a more just and thoughtful world.