Indigenous Education Navigator

Job Responsibility: Posting Number Posting Number SS0622 Position Information Division Access & Regions Department Indigenous Education Supervisor Title Executive Director, Indigenous Education Location Mixalakwila Campus (Port Hardy) Posting Type Internal/External Posting Position Status Regular If Others, please specify North Island College received special program approval by the BC Human Rights Commissioner to give preference to the hiring of a person of Indigenous ancestry for this position Desired Start Date 08/25/2025 Position End Date (if temporary) Weekly work schedule (please indicate the start and end times for each day of work)Wednesday/Thursday 8:30am-4:30pm Friday 8:30am-12:00pm %50 Pay Grade L: $34.47 - $36.63 Position Summary Reporting to the Executive Director of Indigenous Education, the Indigenous Education Navigator responds to North Island College's commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action by removing barriers, establishing relationships, and promoting Indigenous ways of knowing and being in a culturally sensitive manner. The Indigenous Education Navigator is aware of the Mission and Values of North Island College, incorporating and practicing these values in everything they do. The Indigenous Education Navigators work together as a team to support overarching goals within their individual regions as appropriate. Primary responsibilities include providing the following supports to all students in the Port Hardy and North Island region:

• Academic/Financial Advising

• Indigenous Recruitment

• Community Involvement/Outreach

• Student Enhancement/Retention and Development

• Collaboration with Indigenous Education Department

The Indigenous Education Navigator provides information on College programs and courses, including admissions eligibility and the registration process to Indigenous students and prospective students. The Indigenous Education Navigator assists students in the preparation of educational plans and exploration of career options by providing information and advising on eligibility and selection criteria, funding opportunities as well as participating in College recruitment activities. The Indigenous Education Navigator will have a strong working knowledge of funding opportunities for Indigenous students. Knowledge and experience of issues affecting Indigenous education in Canada is necessary and sensitivity to the needs of adult Indigenous learners is essential. Position Competencies

• Job Knowledge
• Judgment
• Teamwork
• Planning & Organization
• Customer Service Excellence
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills

Duties & Responsibilities EDUCATIONAL ADVISING

• Provides information on College programs and courses, including admissions eligibility and the application and registration process with a priority to current and prospective Indigenous students.
• Assists students in the preparation of educational plans and exploration of career options by providing information and advising on eligibility and selection criteria, funding opportunities as well as participating in College recruitment activities.
• Works in conjunction with the Student Services team to provide input and support, including:
• staying up to date on Advising, Counselling, Policy, and Employment Services current practice.
• referring and directly supporting students where appropriate to Student Support Services, eg. Department of Accessible Learning, Counselling, Community Resources, Student Life, etc.
• identifying students with a need for assessment testing and incorporates results in preparation for educational advising.
• May be the initial contact for struggling or distressed students. Coach students toward resolution, refer to NIC and community supports and follow up as required.
• Liaises with faculty and departments as needed.
• Develops and maintains information to support educational advising, including information on Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs from BC Post-secondary institutions and general information on programs offered by other Canadian institutions.
• Coaches prospective students, current students, and key influencers through educational and career options in person and in group presentations.
• Advises high school and prospective students on and off-site to provide admission and timetabling support.
• Develops student resources including information on website, handouts, worksheets, and advising syllabus.
• Supports students how to use NIC enrollment tools including MyNIC and Student Planner.
• Expectation of ongoing professional development to keep Advising and Indigenous Education knowledge current, either through professional affiliations or other recommendations for PD supported by the Director, Indigenous Education.
• Is aware and provides advising to students on NIC's educational partnerships and pathways (i.e. Dual Admission, Guaranteed Admission, Transfer Agreements).
• Advocates internally for changes to processes to ensure internal services are meeting the needs of Indigenous students; includes but not limited to library services, peer tutoring, department chairs.
• Supports and manages a cohort of assigned students with a certain criterion (academic probation, community-based programs, etc.) as determined by the Director, Indigenous Education with input from the Assistant Registrar, Enrolment Services & Advising.
• Work with Department Chairs to maintain specialty program knowledge. Disseminate knowledge to other Educational Advisors and Student Services staff.
• Performs other duties related to the function as assigned by the Executive Director, Indigenous Education.

FINANCIAL ADVISING

• Advises students on available and applicable financial assistance programs and assists students in the preparation of applications for financial assistance with particular focus on available funding within Indigenous communities.
• strong working knowledge of funding opportunities for Indigenous students.
• support students with band funding / Indigenous organization funding, including filling out documentation.
• support students with external and internal scholarship / bursary documents.
• Administering Indigenous Emergency Funds for qualified students with unmet financial needs.
• Maintains currency with respect to the financial policy and procedures of external agencies, which provide services to students.
• Coach students through financial decisions, financial health (budgeting, planning, repayment & debt), awards applications, understanding funding packages, and appeals as required.
• Assess student financial need, prepare financial aid forms and information.
• Participate in the college-wide committee recommending award of bursaries and scholarships
• Assist in the administration of supplementary financial aid programs (such as Board of Governor bursaries, NIC Foundation awards etc).
• Develop and maintain good communication and effective working relationships with the staff of funding agencies including WorkBC, WorkSafeBC and First Nation Bands.
• Advocate for internal (ex. academic schedule) or external (ex. Ministry rules) change where needed to support NIC students' financial considerations.
• Recommends supplementary financial assistance (such as bursaries) for qualified students with unmet financial needs.
• Perform duties for senior Financial Aid Advisor, as necessary.

RECRUITING

• Promotes the image, mission and professionalism of the College through effective first point-of-contact service, providing student orientation packages, conducting tours of facilities and representing North island College as necessary.
• Assists and participates in the development and practice of creative recruitment activities with a particular focus on the needs of Indigenous students.
• Provides advising services on a regular basis to local high schools and other community partners where appropriate.
• Participates in the creation of materials such as:
• Indigenous Student handbook
• Newsletters
• Social media and departmental website content
• Posters (incl. in-community)
• Promotes on campus events, programs (eg. Aboriginal Scholars), workshops, and information sessions (ex. Island Health, Work BC).
• Engages in information sessions independently (high schools, Nations, Community Organizations, etc.) and with a team (Strengthening Connections, Community partnerships (eg. WorkBC/ Island health/ NVIATS).
• Organize and prepare for recruiting activities (create presentations, organize/ create presentation material, assist in conjunction with other agencies to plan events).
• Provide campus tours for individuals and groups.
• Assist with ensuring there is an Indigenous voice and lens on Marketing content related to advising and recruiting.
• Collaborates with the recruiting team to meet yearly recruitment and conversion goals that align with the Enrolment Planning process. This includes collaboration with the other college departments.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

• Provides all advising and recruitment processes in-community as requested in a timely manner.
• Develops and maintains open communication and effective working relationships with the local First Nations, Tribal Councils and other Aboriginal funding agencies, including connections with Nations during Band Funding times.
• First point of contact for Band Offices/ Indigenous Funding Organizations for triage and referral where necessary.
• Responds to Indigenous Education Council and Advisory Committee actions as required.
• Represent NIC and be involved in Indigenous events/activities (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women events, National Indigenous Peoples Day, Orange Shirt Day, etc).

STUDENT ENHANCEMENT

• Assists in organizing special events that enrich the social and educational experience of North Island College Indigenous students as required.
• Support Indigenous student success and retention via programs such as the Aboriginal Scholars program, etc.
• Consult and make recommendations to administration/faculty on issues that affect Indigenous students' access and retention.
• Engagement with departments, committees, and working groups such as the Campus Life Advisory and Student Life to collaborate and provide Indigenous perspective.
• Support students through their post-secondary experience from prospective student through alumni.
• Engage with students to create safe spaces on campus and improve retention, via:
• Digital/physical student lounge support
• Connection to Elders in Residence
• Any other places where applicable

INDIGENOUS EDUCATION

• Involvement with the Indigenous Education department staff including Elders in Residence and Indigenous Education programming.
• Involvement with programs occurring in-community via other departments with partnerships/agreements with Nations/Tribal Councils/other Indigenous organizations.
• Assists in organizing special events such as open houses and celebrations that enrich the social and educational experience of North Island College Indigenous students.

Required Education & Experience 1. Successful completion of a minimum of four years post-secondary education. Bachelor's degree preferred. 2. Three to five years of experience in a comparable environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 3. Must possess experience and an understanding of Indigenous cultural and educational issues and have recent experience working with Indigenous students, or in a Indigenous related setting. Required Knowledge Skills & Abilities 1. In-depth knowledge of issues regarding Indigenous students in secondary and post-secondary education, combined with a strong commitment to advancing the educational aspirations of Indigenous peoples. 2. In-depth knowledge of Indigenous culture, history and socioeconomic issues within British Columbia and Canada. 3. Excellent interpersonal and diplomacy skills as well as strong intercultural skills. 4. Proven ability / experience as a liaison with community agencies and groups. 5. Ability to make thoughtful, informed, and thorough decisions, using reason when dealing with emotional topics and student emergencies. 6. Proven ability to work cooperatively as part of a team and use good judgment, tact and diplomacy. 7. Knowledge and experience of issues affecting Indigenous education in Canada is necessary and sensitivity to the needs of adult Indigenous learners is essential. 8. Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills, communication, and conflict resolution skills and the ability to work effectively with both the public and College staff. 9. Ability to work independently in a busy multi-tasking, heavy volume environment. 10. Ability to speak in public, organize presentations, and write information material in a clear and concise manner. 11. Excellent organizational and time management skills. 12. Good knowledge and understanding of North Island College programs and courses, as well as good referral techniques to transfer information in the BC post-secondary system. 13. Knowledge/experience with a database student records system. Knowledge of Student Financial Aid systems (SFAS) is an asset. 14. Must possess a valid driver's license. 15. May be required to work evenings and weekends. Special Instructions to Applicant Please scan copies of your transcripts into one document for attachment. If your transcripts are not available at the time of application, please attach a letter or certificate of confirmation from the educational institution. Posting Detail Information Posting Open Date 05/23/2025 Posting Close Date Open Until Filled Yes