Indigenous Co-op Coordinator

Job Summary

At UVic Co-op and Career, we strive to enrich our university community with dynamic learning by helping students achieve meaningful, successful careers after graduation. We guide and support students as they develop competenciesknowledge, skills and attributesleading to successful and rewarding careers. Our mission is to educate UVic students with the knowledge and skills to embark on productive careers that contribute to society. We strive to be a resource for students and alumni through every step of their career journey, including their academic studies at UVic and their lifelong work experiences. We support students and alumni as they develop their careers; this includes offering a wide range of experiential learning programs co-operative education, work experience, internships, community service learning, co-curricular records to provide relevant experience linked to student career goals, for each and every UVic student and graduate, to help students to maximize their career pathways.

The Indigenous Co-op Coordinator reports formally to the Associate Director, International, Indigenous and Strategic Initiatives, regarding Co-op, experiential learning and career service responsibilities. In fulfilling this role, the Coordinator supports Indigenous students current and past, and engages with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to develop and generate co-op and other work integrated learning opportunities for students in a variety of Indigenous communities and organizations. This position builds relationships to enhance and maintain strategic partnerships, both internally to UVic as well as with Indigenous community partners, in pursuit of the academic strategic mission of the University's Indigenous Strategic Plan and accompanying programs, projects and community development.

The Indigenous Co-op Coordinator works closely with Co-op and Career staff including Co-op Program Coordinators and the LE,NONET Experiential Learning Coordinator in UVic's Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement (IACE). The position will support Indigenous students enrolled in various faculties across UVic, and will work with co-op coordinators in the respective co-op programs in the planning, development and administration of the co-op and career programs in these departments. The Indigenous Co-op Coordinator will support the strategic direction and promote the program to and secure participation of prospective students, employers and the general public; maintain contact with participating employers and students; secure and coordinate placements for Co-op students with Co-op employers; conduct visits with employers and potential employers; collaborate with co-op programs to monitor and evaluate student work terms; perform assigned undergraduate and graduate teaching or departmental activities (if appropriate); and deliver curriculum, career fairs and mock interview clinics to assist students in developing career related skills. The position is responsible for coordinating the academic and administrative aspect of the Indigenous co-op and career program area(s) and other forms of experiential learning, as appropriate. The position may be asked to consult on student intake and preparation, and will work with co-op coordinators to facilitate placement of students. The position will be responsible for job development, advising, promotion and liaising with IACE, the academic unit, student body and employer community as well as special projects such as development of the Indigenous Resource Hub and expansion of the Indigenous International WIL exchange program. Co-op Coordinators are required to travel within Victoria, and overnight travel throughout Canada and internationally, where required, in order to develop opportunities with employers and support students on placements. As appropriate, the position will engage with programs, initiatives and events hosted by IACE that may take place in the evenings or on the weekends and requires the ability and willingness to work these hours as required.

Of critical importance to this position is an intimate knowledge of Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Cultural competency, including an in-depth understanding of colonization, decolonization, land issues, cultural protocols, and settler/Indigenous relationships is essential.

Job Requirements

This position requires a Masters in Indigenous Studies or related field and a minimum of three years' experience working in a post-secondary setting and/or with Indigenous communities/organizations:

• Analyzing labour, and job market trends and developing programs and plans to best position UVic as a university of choice for prospective and current Indigenous students
• Supporting Indigenous students in a post-secondary setting; in-depth understanding of local nations histories and protocols
• Indigenous community relationship building
• Background in education program delivery in an Indigenous post-secondary context.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Knowledge requirements:

• Colonization and the myriad issues that arise from colonization i.e. racism, mental health, addiction.
• Challenges, opportunities and advances in Indigenous Education in Canada and internationally.
• Implementation of Indigenous worldviews within an academic environment.
• Local Indigenous communities' history and social circumstances.
• Indigenous issues, particularly as they relate to post-secondary education and local Indigenous communities.
• Understanding of appropriate protocol with Indigenous communities and organizations, particularly Coast and Straits Salish.
• Program coordination administration.
• Indigenous career development and work integrated learning.

In addition, this position requires:

• Ability to work cross-culturally, in particular across the range of urban and First nations communities.
• Ability to understand the feelings of other people and to comprehend why others act and feel as they do.
• Ability to deal effectively with students, staff, and general public, practicing discretion and utilize good judgment while maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with Indigenous students, Elders and community members.
• Demonstrated career planning skills
• Knowledge and awareness of discipline specific labour market conditions and trends
• Ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with all stakeholders.
• Excellent skills with both written and verbal communication.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong organizational and administrative capabilities.
• Proficiency in office computer software applications.

Assets or Preferences:

• Valid BC driver's license.
• Knowledge of UVic's programs, admission requirements, student services.
• Background in educational program delivery
• Client relationship management
• Sales and/or marketing
• Co-op program experience