Program Assistant, Indigenous Student Access Program

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 28,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Calgary is seeking a Program Assistant for the Indigenous Student Access Program (ISAP) within Writing Symbols Lodge. This recurring part-time role supports Indigenous students, staff, faculty and partners, coordinating ISAP activities and program workshops.

The position reports to the Manager, Writing Symbols Lodge, and involves hosting Indigenous Language Cafes, newsletters, reports, and outreach while promoting Indigenous Ways of Knowing and cultural awareness on campus.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree with 1-2 years' experience in community building, office administration, and working with youth.
• Knowledge of Indigenous Ways of Knowing and cultural protocol.
• Experience with program planning and event coordination.
• Strong written, public speaking, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Experience with MS Office, D2L, Excel, Skype, and social media platforms.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Responding to program enquiries via email, telephone and in-person.
• Creating student newsletters and other communications to students.
• Drafting program reports, including tracking student participants.
• Assisting with referrals for student support services specific to the cohort.
• Assisting with weekly student workshops, including coordinating meeting space and virtual meeting times.
• Meet with the WSL Manager, Program Coordinator ISAP, and other WSL staff and peers.
• Coordinate ISAP PASS program sessions, spaces, and materials.
• Support Peer Mentorship scheduling, spaces, and online entries.
• Provide troubleshooting for Peer Mentors and assist with training.

Skills

Organizational skills

Leadership

Public speaking

Facilitation skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Cultural awareness

Education

Undergraduate degree in Business, Arts, Humanities, Education

Tools

MS Office

D2L

Excel

Skype

Social media platforms

Job description

Description

The Indigenous Student Access Program in Student Experience and Support invites applications for a Program Assistant. This Recurring Part-timeposition is for approximately 6 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Program Assistant portfolio within Writing Symbols Lodge is designed to support the Indigenous Student Access Program (ISAP), as well as general Writing Symbols Lodge programming. This position reports directly to the Manager, Writing Symbols Lodge, and supports Indigenous students, staff, faculty, and partners.

This position assists the Program Coordinator, Indigenous Student Access Program, with general administration and coordination of ISAP program activities.

The Program Assistant position requires independent judgment and initiative, in addition to tact, diplomacy, and good judgment in dealing with students, staff members, and external agencies. The ability to work in a team environment is important as well as the ability to interact with others in a courteous, patient and helpful manner. The incumbent must possess sensitivity towards, and an appreciation of diversity in its broadest sense, including ethnicity, faith, gender identity and sexual orientation. The position requires pertinent cultural protocol experience, and the ability to engage with Indigenous peoples. The position is also responsible for hosting Indigenous Language Cafes, and as such requires significant working knowledge of one or more Indigenous Languages.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

(job functions include but are not limited to):

Indigenous Student Access Program

• Responding to program enquiries via email, telephone and in-person.
• Creating student newsletters and other communications to students.
• Drafting program reports, including tracking student participants.
• Assisting with referrals for student support services specific to the cohort.
• Assisting with weekly student workshops, including coordinating meeting space and virtual meeting times.
• Meet with the WSL Manager, Program Coordinator ISAP, and other WSL staff and peers.

Assist with the ISAP PASS program

• By meeting with new leaders to review the creation and use of PASS session handouts and session planning.
• Coordinate in-person and virtual meeting spaces.
• Identify any problems or potential problems.

Assist with the Peer Mentorship Program

• Work with Peer Mentors to create/modify session schedules for each semester.
• Schedule and book rooms/ virtual spaces such as Zoom for recurring and one-off extended sessions.
• Enter Peer Mentorship events in the online portal (D2L).
• Provide timely troubleshooting for Peer Mentors' concerns (access to rooms, gathering materials, etc.).
• Observe Peer Mentors in session and provide support as required.
• Mentors debriefing sessions on the following:
• Observations of Peer Mentors' sessions.
• Develop meeting agendas and chair meetings with Peer Mentors.
• Assist the learning support programs in training other Peer Mentors.
• Support the WSL staff in their assessment of the Peer Mentorship Program outcomes.

Reception & Administrative Support

• Support ISAP and WSL event logistics, which may include booking facilities, organizing materials and drafting agendas.
• Marketing & Communication/ Social Media.
• Participate in Writing Symbols Lodge team meetings, events, open houses, and campus tours.
• Collaborate and support the Program Coordinator ISAP, WSL Manager, and Ótáp ímisskaan regarding communications and social media content.
• Perform minor edits to the website to ensure information is accurate and up to date.
• Produce, distribute, and collate results from student feedback surveys.
• Conduct statistical analyses using SPSS to aid in the production of reports on ISAP programs and services.

General programming

• Supporting general Writing Symbols Lodge programming with the Writing Symbols Lodge team and SES staff that support cultural awareness and inclusion (examples include: UCalgarycares, Indigenous Graduation Celebration).
• Promoting Writing Symbols Lodge events and activities and providing Writing Symbols Lodge website updates and posting on general social media accounts; including creating content for bi-weekly newsletter to Indigenous students, and quarterly Bear Tracks newsletter for the broader community.
• Providing presence at Writing Symbols Lodge outreach events, booths, service fairs and other outreach events, including Orientation Week.
• Ability to make mature judgements, using excellent critical thinking skills, communicate effectively, promote positive working relationships and work as a team player.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet established departmental turnaround times.
• Remain up to date with ongoing changes in the Lodge, relative to processes and procedures.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with fellow employees and support personnel.
• Provide input to enhance systems and streamline work processes.
• In conjunction with the Manager, Writing Symbols Lodge, work on ensuring culturally appropriate representations of Indigenous Ways of Knowing are included in Writing Symbols Lodge marketing materials, while providing Indigenous Language translations.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in Business, Arts, Humanities, Education (or related field) with 1-2 years' experience in community building, office administration, and working with youth. An equivalent combination of skills and experience may be considered.
• Knowledge pertaining to cultural protocol and Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being, Doing, and Connecting in the context of community relations and student support programming
• Experience with program planning and event coordination required
• Excellent program organizational and leadership skills
• Experience working with the business community is an asset.
• Excellent written, public speaking, presentation, and facilitation skills
• Experience with report writing
• Experience with computer skills in MS Office, D2L, Excel, Skype, and social media platforms
• Demonstrated sensitivity towards students who come from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to plan for and manage multiple tasks and priorities under tight deadlines
• Ability to handle competing responsibilities and determine priorities
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative team setting as well as in an independent, self-directed environment; and
• Displays an understanding of the University of Calgary, its strategic directions, departments, and its student support services.
• Ability to speak an Indigenous language is an additional asset
• Knowledge of Indigenous communities in Treaty 7 and beyond, and experience in working successfully with Indigenous youth
• The successful candidate must possess a high level of cultural awareness in relation to regional Indigenous protocols and Indigenous peoples.
• Working knowledge of Indigenous cultures, ceremonies and practices within Treaty 7 Territory and additional territories is preferred.
• Experience working closely with an established network of Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers is essential for the position.
• Candidates should have a strong technical background in using office software and business process systems.
• Work experience with general administrative processes involving file management and coordination of administrative tasks is essential.

Application Deadline:

September 25, 2026

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

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Operational/Administrative Job Family, Phase 2.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([e-mail]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([e-mail]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.