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Purpose:
The Division of Equity, People and Culture is committed to the Anishinaabe teaching of Mino Bimaaddiziwin, the Good Life, across all facets of York University. Our goal is to help nurture an environment where we all have a stronger sense of connection, inclusion, and wellbeing. This is our shared responsibility. We aim to invest in our people and to create an inclusive and equitable environment for all.
Reporting to the Manager, Indigenous Initiatives, the Indigenous Student Support Specialist plays a key role in supporting Indigenous students (Status, Non-Status, Métis, and Inuit) throughout their academic journey. The position focuses on delivering transition and retention programs, cultural and academic support services, and operational day-to-day oversight of Indigenous spaces to foster student success and well-being.
As a primary point of contact for Indigenous students, the role provides advising, coordinates cultural and academic programming, and facilitates access to institutional resources. The role plans and evaluates initiatives such as orientation, mentorship, and graduation programs, while building strong relationships with students, faculty, staff, and Indigenous communities. Additionally, the role coordinates day-to-day operations of Skennen’kó:wa Gamig, supports event logistics, and contributes to policy development, communication strategies, and data tracking to enhance student engagement and success.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Communications, Psychology, Education, Indigenous Studies, Art, Business or a related field or an equivalent of 4 years recent experience (defined as within the last five years) working at York University and performing the same or similar tasks. This educational equivalency is in addition to the experiential requirements outlined below.
Experience:
Two (2) years of recent related experience including event coordination, student service, program coordination, implementation, and assessment. Experience in the post-secondary educational and/or other relevant sector and experience working with Indigenous populations.
Skills:
Student-centered service delivery and commitment to service excellence.
Ability to foster and contribute to a positive, supportive, productive, respectful and inclusive team environment of high performance, with proven teamwork and relationship building skills.
Event planning, coordination and implementation.
Effective communication skills to elicit, interpret and summarize information.
Effective public speaking and presentation skills.
Effective interpersonal skills.
Data input, collection and reporting.
Ability to use tact, diplomacy and discretion when dealing with others.
Ability to recognize and respect others' diversity and individual differences.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Demonstrated good attendance and punctuality.
Efficient attention and accuracy to detail
Ability to exercise good judgment in analyzing and evaluating situations/circumstances and solving problems.
Time management skills. effective organizational skills to handle conflicting priorities, multitasking and meeting deadlines.
Ability to work independently and identify and accomplish key objectives within an environment of high volume and frequent interruptions.
Ability to exercise initiative and work effectively as a team member to achieve and support unit/organizational goals.
Collaborative decision making and supportive of outcomes.
Intermediate word-processing (MS Word), spreadsheets (MS Excel), E-mail and calendar management (MS Outlook), and presentation (MS PowerPoint) skills. Basic database (MS Access) and diagram/flow chart software (MS Visio) skills.
Other:
Strong knowledge of Indigenous communities (First Nations, Métis, Inuit), the Indigenous experience in post-secondary settings, and connection to Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
Strong connection to Indigenous Nations and communities.
Additional Notes:
Please note: This position requires the candidate to produce a verification of degree(s), credentials(s), or equivalences from accredited institutions and/or international equivalents at the time of interview.
Access Full Position Posting
If you are a current York University employee in the YUSA-1 bargaining unit and/or are using your job posting rights under the collective agreement to view and apply for jobs, you must apply through the Employee Career Portal - YU Hire to be considered an internal applicant.
As per Article 12.02(f) of the YUSA-1 Collective Agreement, to be considered an internal applicant, employees in the YUSA-1 bargaining unit must submit the application 5 working days following the first day of posting. This is referred to as the 'Posted Date' on the job posting. Please refer to the 'Posting Intent' on the job posting.
The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities (racialized), Indigenous Peoples and persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation. York University is committed to a positive, supportive and inclusive environment.
York University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you are contacted by York University regarding a job opportunity or testing, please advise if you require accommodation.
We are committed to enhancing our environmentally and socially responsible practices for the benefit of all members of the York community. Our long term perspective recognizes our responsibility to be innovators and to continually work as a community to reduce our ecological impact.
York University employees must apply to jobs through the Employee Career Portal - YU Hire. If you are a current York University employee and/or are using your rights under a collective agreement to view and/or apply to jobs, you MUST log into YU Hire to access the York University Employee Career Portal.
PLEASE NOTE: This job posting is for an existing vacancy. Applications must be received by 11:55 pm EST on the posted deadline date, if applicable. Posting deadlines can be updated, or modified, at any time based on hiring needs. Please refer to the York U Career Portal when confirming posting deadlines.