Support Navigator

Okanagan Hockey Group; Canada; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A post-secondary institution in Canada is seeking a Support Navigator to promote student success, especially for former youth in care and at-risk populations. This role focuses on providing guidance and support through financial aid, educational resources, and proactive outreach. Candidates should have a relevant four-year degree and 3-5 years of experience in student services or financial aid settings. The position offers flexibility with a commitment to equitable education.

Qualifications

• Three to five years in a student services or financial aid setting.
• Demonstrated experience supporting at-risk populations, including former youth in care.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide personalized student guidance from entrance to completion.
• Develop engagement strategies to connect with former youth in care.
• Assess student eligibility for funding assistance.
• Maintain detailed records of student interactions.
• Support other campus locations as needed.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Strong organizational skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Ability to work independently

High level of discretion and confidentiality

Education

Four-year degree in related field

Job description

Support Navigator

Okanagan College is hiring a Support Navigator to play a vital role in promoting student success, with a strong focus on supporting former youth in care and other at‑risk populations. This student‑centered position facilitates equitable access to financial aid, educational resources, and wraparound supports through proactive outreach and targeted engagement strategies that improve retention and reduce barriers to persistence.

Responsibilities

• Student Support
  • Provide personalized guidance from entrance to completion to students facing complex challenges.
  • Establish supportive, ongoing relationships with identified students on the Provincial Tuition Waiver program through regular check‑ins and proactive monitoring.
  • Maintain a comprehensive understanding of Okanagan College’s student support services and effectively guide students to appropriate resources.
  • Collaborate with internal and external partners to identify support systems, develop engagement strategies, and implement wrap‑around support services.
  • Make referrals to community agencies and coordinate crisis intervention when necessary.
  • Advocate for former youth in care to ensure equitable access to education and support services.
• Outreach & Engagement
  • Develop engagement strategies to connect with former youth in care and provide consistent outreach to promote student retention and success.
  • Organize, coordinate logistics, and lead workshops, presentations, and initiatives both on and off campus to increase awareness and understanding of funding opportunities and support services.
  • Develop and oversee the ambassador program to enhance service and support for former youth in care.
  • Evaluate the ambassador program to enhance effectiveness and student engagement.
  • Recruit, train, and oversee student ambassadors to provide peer mentorship and support to former youth in care.
  • Organize training workshops for ambassadors, ensuring they are equipped to effectively support students.
  • Maintain regular communication with ambassadors to gather feedback, provide guidance, and ensure their activities align with program goals.
• Financial Aid & Funding Assistance
  • Assess student eligibility for institutional and government funding in accordance with established criteria and guidelines.
  • Process funding applications, including for the Provincial Tuition Waiver program and other specialized financial aid opportunities, ensuring accurate records and compliance with institutional and government policies.
  • Review applications for completeness and accuracy, following up with students when additional information is needed.
  • Respond to inquiries via phone, email, online platforms, and in‑person interactions, ensuring a high level of professionalism and customer service.
  • Provide accurate information to prospective and current students about funding opportunities, application processes, and eligibility requirements.
  • Assist students in completing applications for funding, ensuring completeness and accuracy in accordance with institutional and government policies.
  • Liaise with internal departments, external partners, and community agencies to facilitate appropriate referrals and support services for students.
• Knowledge Systems & Continuous Improvement
  • Update and maintain knowledge bases, chatbot responses, and related digital tools and information to improve self‑service options for students.
  • Record statistics on student interactions.
  • Provide feedback and suggestions to improve student services and enhance the overall student experience.
  • Advise managers and other team members on the effectiveness, impact, and potential challenges of policies and procedures.
• Clerical & Administrative Support
  • Support other campus locations as needed, ensuring consistent service delivery across all college sites, including virtual.
  • Perform data entry functions.
  • Prepare routine correspondence and reports as required by the department.
  • Maintain detailed records, including student files, financial aid and award applications, and award letters, in compliance with institutional and government regulations to ensure accurate data collection and tracking.
  • Process, barcode, and scan documents for electronic records management and ensure proper archiving of student records.

Qualifications

• Education
  • Four‑year degree in related post‑secondary education, preferably in business administration, education, office management or related field.
• Experience
  • Three to five years in a student services, advising, or financial aid setting, preferably in a post‑secondary environment or community‑based education environment.
  • Demonstrated experience supporting at‑risk and marginalized populations, including former youth in care, with a strong understanding of trauma‑informed and culturally responsive practices.
• Skills and Abilities
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with students, internal and external community members.
  • Strong organizational and administrative skills, with a keen attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
  • High level of discretion and confidentiality.
  • High level of competence in time management, adaptability, and independent work.
  • Able to interpret and operationalise complex college and government policies.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates able to work out of the Kelowna or Penticton campus. Travel within the OC region will be required.

Schedule & Compensation

Schedule to be determined. 17.5 hours per week. Annual Salary/Hourly Rate $35.07 - $40.07 per hour. Appointment Type: Support – Non‑Regular Part‑time.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Okanagan College is committed to increasing the equitable and inclusive participation of marginalized people in all aspects of college life. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black People, members of racialised groups/visible minorities, people with disabilities and people with diverse gender identities or expressions. People with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].

Supplemental Questions

1. What is the highest level of education attained?
   • GED
   • High School Diploma
   • Diploma/Trade
   • Bachelor’s Degree
   • Master’s Degree
   • PhD
2. Do you currently work, or have you worked for Okanagan College?
3. If yes, please enter your 9‑digit employee ID# (Open Ended Question).
4. How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
   • Aboriginaljobboard.ca
   • academicacareers.ca
   • AcademicCareers.com
   • Academy of Management
   • Accelerate Okanagan
   • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
   • BCCPA.ca
   • BCLA.bc.ca
   • castanet.net
   • CAUT
   • CICAN
   • collegesinstitutes.ca
   • educationcanada.com
   • Eluta
   • Facebook
   • family/friend referral
   • Higher Education
   • HRMA.ca
   • ica.bc.ca
   • indeed.ca
   • IndigenousCareers.org
   • Indigenous.link
   • Job Bank
   • kijiji.ca
   • linkedin.com
   • Newsletter/E‑subscribe
   • Newspaper
   • okanagan.bc.ca
   • payroll.ca
   • Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada (SWAAC)
   • Tradestrainingbc.ca
   • universityaffairs.ca
   • WorkBC.ca
5. What campus would you prefer to work from? (Open Ended Question)

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• References

Optional Documents