BIRM Program Assistant

BIRM Program Assistant
The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and is 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 Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement (OVPIE) is seeking a Program Assistant to support the Building Intercultural Mentorship (BIRM) program and other programming as directed.

Program Overview
The OVPIE works within and outside the university to meet the unique needs of Indigenous students, staff, faculty and communities and uplift Indigenization by advancing initiatives and strategies that promote Indigenous Knowledges and support reconciliation and decolonization. The BIRM program provides support to Indigenous high school students in Saskatoon Public Schools to engage in leadership opportunities, career exploration, goal setting, learning Indigenous cultures and languages, land‑based experiences, and developing academic skills.

The program assistant will be expected to assist the BIRM Director in the implementation, ongoing documentation and assessment, and delivery of programming.

Nature of Work
As a member of the OVPIE team, the Program Assistant will report directly to the Strategic Officer, OVPIE. This position is unique at the University of Saskatchewan in that the incumbent will have a professional home within the Office of the Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement (OVPIE), and support off campus programming through BIRM. The Program Assistant will contribute to empowering Indigenous youth and Indigenous USask students, increasing self‑efficacy, and improving systems access and navigation in post‑secondary education by furthering relationships with USask stakeholders to develop research‑informed programming.

The position will support the administrative needs of the BIRM program and be responsible for directly supporting and uplifting transition programs and initiatives for Indigenous youth considering and entering post‑secondary.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities
Working in collaboration with BIRM, OVPIE and USask stakeholders to develop, implement, support, and evaluate student engagement and support initiatives, increase positive experiences and outcomes for Indigenous learners, and support transition to post‑secondary at USask.

Reconciling payment and financial transactions

Provide individual support and guidance to Indigenous students across USask

Collaborate and participate within community events to promote recruitment and engagement

Contribute to the preparation of reports, documents, communications

Other duties as required

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

Skills and Competencies
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills required; strong student service focus; contribute to a positive, diverse and inclusive work and learning environment, able to engage stakeholders and build consensus; demonstrated capacity for facilitating and managing change; able to work independently and thrive as an integral part of a cross‑unit team; full computer literacy required. Must have highly effective interpersonal skills and well demonstrated problem solving and conflict resolution skills;

efficient, productive and innovative work in a dynamic and fast paced working…