Oyateki Student Success Coordinator

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to reflect the community we serve. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Only Indigenous candidates will be considered for this position. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship with documentation is a condition of employment and a requirement to hold this position and the successful candidate must maintain those conditions throughout their employment.

Primary Purpose: The Oyateki Student Success Coordinator works directly with students, instructors, programs and colleges from all University of Saskatchewan campuses to coordinate educational, personal, and community development programming for Indigenous students at the Prince Albert USask campus. Student success is supported through the provision of personal support and advocacy, group programming, cultural supports, events, community building and student engagement activities.

Nature of Work: This position is unique at the University of Saskatchewan in that the incumbent will have a professional home within  Prince Albert Campus and is directly connected to an exciting opportunity that the university is undertaking, known as the Oyateki Partnership . The Oyateki Partnership aspires to lead and facilitate transformation to change the lives of Indigenous youth for the better. This collaborative body is comprised of representatives from USask, Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) and Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT). According, this position will respond to the needs of USask Indigenous students by working closely with the Office of the Vice Provost, Indigenous Engagement and key stakeholders across USask including units within the Teaching, Learning, and Student Experience portfolio   and in collaboration with the Kahkisiw Community of Practice, and Oyateki Project partners. Additionally, this role will contribute to empowering Indigenous USask students, increasing self-efficacy, and improving systems access and navigation in post-secondary education.  

This position is dedicated to Indigenous student academic and personal success and is committed to supporting Indigenous student transition, resiliency, and graduation by providing Indigenous students at USask with personal, social, and cultural supports through programs, services, and events. The coordinator will take a lead role with direction from the OVPIE in the development of an integrated and effective system of personalized student services, that not only supports Indigenous students from prospective student to graduate, but also improves the overall quality of the student experience by applying student success models.

The coordinator reports to and will work with the Coordinator to the PA Campus Operational Lead to develop, implement, and evaluate student support and development strategies that are proactive and collaborative.

Accountabilities: The coordinator will work in close collaboration with USask stakeholders, colleges, units, and other community partners to develop, implement, and evaluate individual support services and student engagement programming.

·     The coordinator will connect with and guide Indigenous students to utilize USask support services offered by USask unites including, but not limited to, Student Wellness Services, Access and Equity Services, Career Services, and the International Student and Study Abroad Centre. The coordinator will be required to develop strong relationships with these units and others across USask.

·     Working closely with Indigenous students one-on-one or through coordinated groups to define and clarify objectives, educational goals, and to develop and implement a workable plan to achieve these objectives. 

·    Utilize student success models and frameworks to student development, the coordinator will facilitate programming (personal, social, cultural, and academic), workshops, and presentations that address the diverse needs of Indigenous students. The coordinator will research and apply leading practices in student success and self-efficacy and assess program outcomes including qualitative and quantitative reports.

·     Support and guide students on how to access services and programs, encouraging self-reliance and self-advocacy.  Facilitates students' achievement by encouraging consideration of options and requirements for additional or modified reasonable accommodations.

·    Initiate referrals for specialized assessments to a variety of professionals to assist in identifying impacts of specific disabilities and providing documentation of disability.

• ·   Participate in Kahkisiw Community of Practice.
• ·   Contribute to the preparation of reports, documents, and communications related to the Oyateki Partnership.
•       May also include other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Education: The ideal candidate will have a post-secondary degree in a related field; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered

Experience: A minimum of three years related experience. A knowledge of diverse Indigenous social, cultural, and economic contexts particularly as it relates to barriers to post-secondary education.

Skills: Must have highly effective interpersonal skills and well- demonstrated problem solving and conflict resolution skills. Proven ability to work effectively within a team environment and independently; familiarity and experience with student-centered programming, support services, and student success. Ability to plan and deliver effective and outcomes-based programming that is responsive to the needs of Indigenous students; confidence to initiate and development meaningful and strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders; effective written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present clearly to diverse audiences; group facilitation skills and one-on-one advising skills. The ability to understand the experiences of students and to interact effectively in a positive and empowering manner; ability to set priorities and follow through on accountabilities, and to maintain professional relationships and use discretion. Intermediate skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook are required.

Department:  Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement
Status: Term 2 years with the possibility of extension
Employment Group: ASPA
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $50,780.00 - 79,344.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Salary Family (if applicable): Specialist Professional
Salary Phase/Band: Phase 1
Posted Date: 5/13/2024
Closing Date: 5/26/2024
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: Prince Albert Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check: Not Applicable
Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Not Applicable