Indigenous Advisor

Position Summary

BCIT’s Indigenous Initiatives & Partnerships is seeking a temporary, full-time (1.0 FTE) Indigenous Advisor
. This position plays a key role in student success at BCIT by providing support to Indigenous students, both prospective and those enrolled in academic and non-academic programs and services. This includes liaison, recruitment, advising and providing opportunities for student success through retention initiatives. Works in collaboration with faculty, staff and BCIT partners to provide culturally safe support services to Indigenous students.

Specific duties include, consultation and guidance on academic course selection and planning, assessing student needs and recommending programs of study and optional pathways and when necessary referring students to appropriate BCIT supports including counselling, student life, financial aid, accessibility and learner services, and where necessary, to external supports e.g. ACCESS, Band Education Coordinators and external funders. This position works in collaboration with all departments and schools while maintaining an awareness and understanding of all services available to assist Indigenous students’ transition into, during and out of BCIT successfully.

Duties & Responsibilities
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provides support, guidance and advice to Indigenous students on BCIT program selection, enrolment and admissions processes.

Advises students on specific program entrance requirements and processes, provides successful applicant profile information and strategies for admission to competitive programs.

Supports students who have received non-acceptance letters or those who are required to withdraw and helps to create an individual plan for an alternative BCIT program that may be more suited to their needs.

Works one-to-one with students to understand their unique needs and facilitates appropriate referrals to specialized services. Acts as an advocate as appropriate.

Provides support, guidance and advice to Indigenous students requiring help resolving issues that have the potential to affect retention and academic success. Advocate on behalf of students in complex situations.

Supports and encourages confidence in students to pursue educational goals and provides Indigenous student success support referrals.

Advises on appropriate upgrading options and assessment exams.

Works in collaboration with faculty, departmental Advisors, other student services, and external supports (Education Coordinators/Funders) to help students with personal or academic needs.

Supports students in distress to access immediate support and provides appropriate referrals.

Maintains statistics and records on student contact and requests for services to assist in creating strategies that aim to improve service delivery.

Liaises with post-secondary funders to help student secure sponsorship.

Works in collaboration with IIP team to plan, organize and implement workshops, programs and events aimed at increasing Indigenous student retention and success.

Conducts presentations and outreach activities in coordination with internal BCIT departments. Delivers workshops on topics relating to academic program planning and support services on and off campus as directed by the Associate Director.

Researches, develops and produces advising resources for Indigenous students.

Participates in meetings and events and liaises with Management, Faculty and Staff as well as with other internal and external organizations and associations, in matters related to Indigenous student support and services, as directed by Associate Director.

Participates in IIP and BCIT events such as Big Info, Kickstart, Indigenous Youth Gathering.

Creates and maintains a database of awards, grants, bursaries and scholarships available to Indigenous students and assists students with application completion and submission as required.

Keeps up to date on best practices and trends related to Indigenous student support and assess alignment and relevance to BCIT’s Indigenous student population.

Researches and maintains current and extensive knowledge of all BCIT domestic and international programs and scholarship…