Indigenous Student Navigator (Term)

Avanti Software Inc.; Fort McMurray; On-site; CAD 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Northern Living Allowance

Health & dental benefits

Vacation entitlement and paid holidays

Life insurance feature

Paid sick days

Employee discounts

Job summary

Keyano College in Fort McMurray, AB seeks an Indigenous Student Navigator (Term) to support Indigenous learners from admission through graduation. You will liaise with communities, coordinate the Indigenous Student Centre and Relative-in-Residence Program, and promote recruitment at outreach events.

Responsibilities include advising, resource development, and collaboration with the Registrar’s Office to assist with admissions, funding and Band applications.

Qualifications

• Diploma, certificate or degree in Indigenous Studies, Business, Education, Social Work, social sciences, or related field.
• Minimum of two years of related experience with Indigenous learners, communities or organizations.
• Knowledge of Indigenous communities, customs, culture and history.
• Ability to build relationships with local Indigenous community members.
• Strong advisory/assessment, communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with post-secondary education programs and student services.
• Familiarity with MS Office Suite and driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Provide outreach, advising and support to Indigenous students to promote success.
• Liaise between Indigenous students and support services, connecting to resources.
• Advocate for Indigenous students and foster an inclusive environment.
• Develop resources and initiatives to support learner success in post-secondary.
• Assist with admissions, registration, financial aid and Band funding applications.
• Support grant and funding applications and represent on advisory circles.
• Coordinate and support Indigenous student centre and relative-in-residence program.
• Build relationships with Indigenous communities and partners for student success.
• Plan and deliver culturally relevant events, recruitment initiatives and recognition programs.
• Market programs to prospective students via events, visits and outreach.

Skills

Advisory skills

Assessment skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Diploma/Certificate/Degree in Indigenous Studies or related field

Knowledge of Indigenous communities and history

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Keyano Student Recruitment Department is currently seeking an Indigenous Student Navigator (Term) to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Manager, Indigenous Relations & Student Recruitment, the Indigenous Student Navigator plays a key role in supporting Indigenous learners throughout their educational journey at Keyano College. Serving as an ambassador for the College, the Navigator builds and maintains relationships with Indigenous communities throughout the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and represents Keyano College at community events, recruitment activities, and outreach initiatives. The role also oversees Indigenous student programming, including the Relative-in-Residence Program and the Bouchier Indigenous Student Centre, fostering a welcoming and culturally supportive environment for students. Success in this role requires a strong understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and contemporary issues, along with exceptional communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills. The position requires occasional travel, evening and weekend work, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

To enrich our commitment to this work, we encourage applications from Indigenous persons (First Nations Status or Non-Status, Métis, or Inuit), and we ask applicants to include a statement of self-identification in their cover letter.

This Term role starts ASAP and will end on or before October 18, 2027.

Note: this is not a remote or hybrid work opportunity, you will be required to work on campus and relocate to Fort McMurray, AB.

About Us

Keyano College is a comprehensive post-secondary educational institution located in Fort McMurray, nested in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on traditional Treaty 8 territory. We are a strategic community partner that meets both the training and talent upgrading needs of industry, as well as the personal enrichment and cultural needs of the Wood Buffalo community. We take pride in offering a safe work and study environment that embraces Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. Our students and customers come from all walks of life and so do we. That is why we are committed to hiring great people from a variety of backgrounds because it makes our employee community stronger.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide outreach, advising, and support services to Indigenous students throughout their educational journey at Keyano College to promote student success.
• Act as a liaison between Indigenous students and internal/external support services, assessing needs and connecting students with appropriate resources.
• Advocate for Indigenous students and foster a positive, respectful, and inclusive environment that helps reduce systemic barriers.
• Develop and implement resources, tools, and initiatives that support Indigenous learner success in a post-secondary environment.
• Assist Indigenous students with admissions, applications, registration, enrollment, financial aid, funding opportunities, and Band funding applications in collaboration with the Office of the Registrar.
• Support Indigenous grant and funding applications and represent Student Services on the Keyano Indigenous Advisory Circle.
• Coordinate and support the Bouchier Indigenous Student Centre and serve as the primary contact for the Relative-in-Residence Program.
• Build and maintain relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, Elders, community leaders, and external partners to support Indigenous student success.
• Plan, promote, and deliver culturally relevant events, student engagement activities, recruitment initiatives, and student recognition programs.
• Market Keyano College programs and services to prospective students through presentations, information sessions, school visits, education fairs, trade shows, and community outreach activities.
• Maintain active relationships with local high schools, professional recruitment associations, and attend local, provincial, and interprovincial recruitment events as required.
• Collect and report participation data and feedback; collaborate with academic and administrative departments to support student success initiatives, event delivery, and annual activity planning while working within established budgets.

Qualifications

Required Qualification:

• Diploma, certificate or degree in, Indigenous Studies, Business, Education, Social Work, social sciences, or a related field.
• A minimum of two years of related experience working with Indigenous learners, communities and/or organizations
• Knowledge and understanding of Indigenous communities, customs, culture and history
• Ability to create and maintain relationships with local Indigenous community members
• Strong advisory/assessment skills, excellent communication (verbal and written), presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with post-secondary education programs, student facing services, and entrance requirements
• Familiarity with MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point)
• Valid Driver’s License

Nice to Have:

• Indigenous Ancestry (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit), with demonstrable lived experience.
• Previous experience working in a student services- or student recruitment related field.
• Event planning experience.
• Organized and detail oriented.
• Compassionate, empathetic, adaptable, trustworthy.

Please note that if your education was received internationally, upon hire we will require you to provide an international education assessment completed through WES, IQAS or one of the other IRCC approved designated organization.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation is $5,795.60 per month (CUPE IS7) with the following health and benefit package.

• Employer paid comprehensive health and dental benefits, including a health spending account.
• This position qualifies for additional payment of the Northern Living Allowance of $1,040.00 per month.
• Generous vacation entitlement and the bonus of paid holidays between Christmas and New Years
• Life insurance is 2.5 times your annual salary
• Paid sick days

We offer various perks and discounts to our employees:

• Employee Service and Academic Achievement recognition
• Greatly discounted employee membership to the Syncrude Sports and Wellness Centre (our well-known gym and recreational facility).
• Tuition waiver for all employees and dependents to take courses at Keyano College to support your thirst for learning.
• Employee Discounts for the Keyano Theatre and the Keynotes Bookstore.

Additional Information

At Keyano College, we are committed to fostering an equitable, caring and resilient environment where everyone feels valued and connected to the common goal and the college community. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage candidates who will contribute to the diversity of the College to apply.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue through the selection process will be contacted.