Program Specialist - Indigenous

Inclusionregina; Regina; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Regina seeks a motivated professional to lead Indigenous recreation and leisure programs. You will help implement the Recreation Master Plan, Cultural Plan, and Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan while removing barriers to participation for Indigenous communities.

Candidate should have lived Indigenous experience, cultural competency, and strong collaboration skills to build partnerships across City departments and community groups. A flexible schedule is expected.

Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of Indigenous cultures and connection to recreation and leisure.
• Knowledge of Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action.
• Ability to implement current program planning standards and evaluation.
• Leading practices in Indigenous program development.
• Understanding anti-oppression and community development principles.
• Experience supervising staff and volunteers.
• Ability to organize Indigenous recreation activities.
• Knowledge of teaching and facilitation methods for Indigenous activities.
• Ability to train staff and facilitate cross-cultural dialogue.

Responsibilities

• Develops strategies to reduce barriers and provide equitable Indigenous program opportunities.
• Plans, coordinates, implements, monitors, and evaluates Indigenous community programs.
• Engages organizations and groups to build partnerships for delivery of services.
• Prioritizes Indigenous people in program development.
• Maintains Indigenous recreation programs using a planning cycle.
• Assists in long- and short-range planning for Indigenous recreation opportunities.
• Coordinates special events and projects.
• Represents the Department at meetings and with other departments.
• Writes and interprets regulations and objectives for program delivery.
• Delivers training and guidance to staff.

Skills

Indigenous knowledge

Cultural competency

Staff supervision

Community engagement

Program planning

Communication (oral & written)

Anti-oppression & equity principles

Partnership development

Education

Diploma in Reconciliation Studies or related

Two years of post-secondary education in Indigenous-led discipline

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Division:City Planning & Community Services

Department:Recreation & Cultural Services

Branch:Community & Recreation Programs

Type of Posting:Internal & External

Employment Type:Permanent

Hourly Salary: $33.45- $37.26

Date Posted: October 14, 2026

Closing Date:November 4, 2026

Land Acknowledgement

We are proud to reside on Treaty 4 Territory and the traditional lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota, Lakota, and Métis Nation, honoring and respecting these Nations and ancestors of this territory and grateful to be here. Regina is committed to building trust and creating true partnerships with Indigenous peoples.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

The City of Regina is an equal opportunities employer dedicated to fostering a respectful, collaborative, inclusive, and barrier-free workplace, allowing everyone to achieve their full potential. We value diversity as a key to our success and encourage all qualified candidates, including Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQIAP+ individuals of all genders, people of disabilities, and members of equity-deserving communities, to apply.

The City of Regina is committed to ensure accessible and accommodating processes during the application and selection phases. If you need accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please inform our Talent teamand we'll collaborate with you to address your requirements.

Note: Only applications submitted via our online application system are accepted

NATURE OF WORK:

This position undertakes and facilitates the development and provision of a variety of recreation and leisure services that focus on Indigenous culture. This position supports the implementation of the City’s Recreation Master Plan, Cultural Plan, and Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan and helps to remove barriers to recreation and leisure for Indigenous people. This position works to build partnerships that engage Indigenous and other cultural communities, promotes diverse voices, removes barriers to recreation and leisure for Indigenous people, and supports work toward truth and reconciliation. This position reports to the coordinator; Community & Inclusion Recreation Programs and works closely with the Program Specialist – Social Inclusion.

The successful candidate will have lived experience in the Indigenous community and demonstrated cultural competency.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops and implements strategies that reduce barriers to participation and provide fair and equitable Indigenous program opportunities and services.
• Facilitates a program planning cycle to plan, co-ordinate, implement, monitor, and evaluate Indigenous community-based sport, culture, and recreation programs.
• Liaises with and engages organizations, community groups, other City departments and private sector interests to assist in the development of partnerships that contribute to the effective delivery of Indigenous recreation and leisure services.
• Utilizes strategies to prioritize Indigenous people and organizations in the development of programs and services for Indigenous people.
• Develops and maintains Indigenous recreation and leisure programs using a program planning cycle.
• Assists and advises on the development of long- and short-range plans for Indigenous recreation and leisure opportunities across the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department.
• Assists in the coordination and facilitation of special events and projects.
• Represents the Department, and/or facilitates representation by other departments, at public and community meetings.
• Writes and interprets the Department’s regulations, policies, and objectives in assisting with program planning and delivery of programs.
• Prepares and delivers related training, workshops, clinics and guidance to staff within the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department.
• Directs, recruits, supervises, coordinates, and evaluates program staff (instructors, leaders, coordinators, casual staff, and contract staff or instructors).
• Conducts program research, surveys, evaluation, and analysis related to the area.
• Prepares correspondence, presentations, and written reports as required.
• Evaluates, gathers, and prepares statistical reports regarding Indigenous recreation and leisure programs and services.
• Assists in the preparation of the annual operating budget as related to this service area.
• Approves requisitions, expenditures, and other transactions within the limits of authority and takes necessary action to protect civic monies and assets against loss and waste.
• Safeguards Civic proprietary information and assets so as to protect the interests of the corporation.
• Performs related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:

• Considerable knowledge of Indigenous cultures (including First Nations, Inuit, and/or Metis) and the connection to both historical and current trends in recreation and leisure.
• Knowledge of the Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action’.
• Knowledge and ability to implement current standards, trends, needs and evaluation principles and methods related to program planning.
• Demonstrated knowledge of leading practices in Indigenous program development.
• Demonstrated understanding of anti-oppression and community development principles
• Strong leader with experience supervising staff and volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and develop a variety of Indigenous recreational activities for people.
• Considerable knowledge of teaching and facilitation methods and supervision of Indigenous recreation activities.
• Ability to train and guide staff and volunteers as it relates to the vast variety of cross-cultural community issues that may arise and to facilitate dialogue and communication between those groups and City departments.
• Ability to express ideas and concepts effectively both orally and in writing, demonstrating skill in adapting communication techniques to various situations and audiences.
• Ability to promote and adhere to the principles of teamwork including participation, shared responsibility, open communication, trust and mutual support.
• Ability to follow all safety regulations as set out in the Department.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations as necessitated by work assignments.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• The knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position are obtained through completion of a Diploma in Reconciliation Studies, Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation and Community Development or two (2) years of post-secondary education in a degree program in Indigenous Health, Indigenous Business & Public Administration, Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Education, Indigenous Social Work, Indigenous Studies, or Kinesiology, specializing in Health Promotion, Human Kinetics, Sport and Recreation Management and/or Therapeutic Recreation or related discipline.
• Lived experience in the Indigenous community.
• Indigenous cultural competency is a requirement of the role and leading from an Indigenous lens.
• Indigenous language would be considered an asset.
• Three (3) to five (5) years experience in working with marginalized populations; people experiencing disability, youth, seniors, newcomers, Indigenous communities, gender and sexual diverse communities, and others facing barriers to access in the provision of recreation and leisure services is an asset.

WORKING/OTHER CONDITIONS:

• Must possess the ability to travel within Regina and surrounding area.
• Must be able to work flexible hours.
• Must complete a criminal record check.

Additional Requirements:

• Successful candidates may be required to provide a satisfactory criminal record check per the City of Regina's Criminal Record Check Policy.
• Proof of education is required.
• Additional assessments may be conducted to evaluate competencies, skills, and knowledge.

At City of Regina, we offer competitive compensation, health and wellness benefits, and growth through educational support and in-house courses.