Specialist, Indigenous Graduate and Postdoctoral Initiatives

University of British Columbia; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

University of British Columbia is seeking a Specialist, Indigenous Graduate and Postdoctoral Initiatives. The role works with partners across campus to plan, develop and manage initiatives advancing Indigenous graduate student success, from pre-application advising to program completion, including mentorship and award guidance.

Collaborating with academic units, faculty, and central support offices, the Specialist will address barriers, build resources, and foster community networks for

Qualifications

• Experience planning and managing initiatives for Indigenous students preferred.
• Ability to collaborate with academic and administrative units across campus.

Responsibilities

• Participate on working groups focused on Indigenous student support.
• Coordinate messaging to Indigenous students with campus partners.
• Own Indigenous section on the G+PS website; update events and profiles.
• Support Indigenous student orientation and graduation events; stay in touch with graduates/postdocs.
• Develop resources and networking opportunities for Indigenous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

Job description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category: M&P - AAPS

Job Profile: AAPS Salaried - Student Management, Level B

Job Title: Specialist, Indigenous Graduate and Postdoctoral Initiatives

Department: Student Academic Services | Dean's Office, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Compensation Range: $7,158.42 - $10,292.25 CAD Monthly The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date: October 20, 2026

Job End Date: Ongoing

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

Working collaboratively with key partners and stakeholders on campus, the Indigenous Graduate and Postdoctoral Specialist will be responsible for planning, developing and managing new and existing initiatives that advance strategic priorities to enhance holistic Indigenous graduate student success. The Specialist will partner with academic and administrative units, faculty and staff across the university to ensure that Indigenous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows receive support throughout their UBC experience, from informed pre-application advising through to program completion. This position will provide mentorship to Indigenous graduate students through the admission application cycle and provide advice and guidance related to applying for both internal and external award funding. Working with key leaders across campus, the Specialist will identify systemic barriers Indigenous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows experience as they interact with UBC in order to inform strategic direction and support productive dialogue between Indigenous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows G+PS, central support offices, and graduate program offices. In addition, the Specialist will build networking and other social engagement opportunities with current Indigenous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, senior faculty and staff, in order to foster a sense of community on campus.

Organizational Status

The Specialist, Indigenous Graduate and Postdoctoral Initiatives, will report to the Director, Student Academic Support, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and work closely with Enrolment Services and First Nations House of Learning. They will also work collaboratively with G+PS executive and larger teams (e.g. Academic Services, Awards, Communications, Graduate Pathways to Success, etc.) and a variety of units on campus to support the strategic priorities as outlined in UBC's strategic plan, Shaping UBC's Next Century; the Indigenous Strategic Implementation Plan; and Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies' Strategic Plan.

Work Performed

Communications and Campus Outreach - 25%

• Participate as a key member on any working group dedicated to Indigenous student support, retention, and success, including the Indigenous Student Support Services Team.
• Liaise and coordinate with student-facing and other support units and advise on ensuring consistent, appropriate and coordinated messaging to Indigenous students.
• Take ownership of the Indigenous section on the G+PS website, including the creation, maintenance, communication and promotion of regular updates, highlighting events and opportunities for Indigenous students, creating student and alumni profiles, and maintaining accurate and up-to-date information.
• Support Indigenous graduate student and postdoctoral orientation events and graduation ceremonies and stay in touch with graduates, postdocs, solicit alumni profiles.
• Connect with Indigenous graduate student and postdoctoral fellow communities on their needs, identify barriers, and develop resources.
• Foster a sense of community and build networks for Indigenous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, senior faculty and staff through:
  • Creating networking opportunities
  • Organizing regular social events
  • Developing an Indigenous graduate student-alumni mentorship model

• Work with Indigenous program leads and various campus partners to develop and inform existing workshops and seminars to support Indigenous graduate student success.
• Work with the UBC Career Centre and program offices to inform career advising, resources, and workshops.