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Indigenous Initiatives Operations Supervisor

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Interested applicants must submit their application and all required documents online on the Douglas College Career Site [www.douglascollegecareers.ca]. Qualified internal applicants shall be given first consideration in filling the position. ALL INTERNAL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY March 11 2024, Please ensure your resume clearly explains how you meet the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the position for which you are applying. All candidates selected for interview will need to bring original certificates and diplomas of educational credentials noted on their resume.

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title Indigenous Initiatives Operations Supervisor
Posting Number 02140SA
Location New Westminster/Coquitlam Campus
Grade or Pay Level S - Pay Level 17
Salary Range $62,023 annually (with wage increments to a max of $71,982 annually, which includes a special allowance of $2,000 per annum). Salary and wage increments are in accordance with the Collective Agreement
Position Type Support Staff - Regular
Posting Type Internal/External
Regular/Temporary Regular
Employment Type Full-Time
Posting Category Staff
Start Date 05/01/2024
End Date
Day of the Week Mondays to Fridays
Shift N/A
Work Arrangements
This regular full-time (35 hours per week) position is available starting May 1, 2024. Regular hours of work are Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30 pm. Shift days and times may change depending on the Department’s need. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required. The position is located at the New Westminster/ Coquitlam campus; however, successful candidate must be available for occasional work at the New Westminster/Coquitlam campus. Douglas College is committed to supporting a healthy work/life balance for employees. A modified/flexible schedule and/or hybrid work from home arrangement may be considered, subject to the terms of the College’s Work From Home Policy.
What Douglas Offers
DO what you love. Be good at it. That’s how Douglas College defines a great career. It’s a philosophy that resonates through our classrooms, our offices and our boardrooms. It inspires our students and drives us to make Douglas College one of BC’s Top Employers. We love what we do. And we’re looking for passionate, motivated people to join us in making one of Canada’s best colleges even better.
The Role
Working under the direction of the Director, Student Affairs & Services and guidance of the Director, Indigenous Academic Initiatives, the Indigenous Initiatives Operations Supervisor will provide administrative, operational and supervisory functions for Student Affairs & Services and Indigenous Academic Initiatives including coordinating initiatives, projects and programs that support the Indigenization priorities at the College. This role will work collaboratively with a wide range of College community members, including: Administrators, faculty members, community members, student services staff, Elders and students.
Responsibilities
1.Develops and coordinates activities, programs, initiatives and academic support services for current and prospective Indigenous students.
a. Conducts ongoing needs assessments to identify the needs of Indigenous learners at Douglas College to inform programming decisions;
b. identifies programs and services to meet specific educational and vocational needs of Indigenous students;
c. collaborates on College-wide orientation planning activities; develops orientation materials and delivers a variety of orientation information to individuals and/or groups;
d. supports, develops, coordinates and evaluates on-campus programs and activities for Indigenous students in collaboration with various college departments;
e. plans, develops and conducts workshops on academic success topics for Indigenous students;
f. coordinates Indigenous student graduation celebrations;
g. oversees appropriate use of the Indigenous Gathering Place, including making recommendations for booking decisions, maintaining an up-to-date schedule, and ensuring protocols are communicated and followed;
h. coordinates the development, revision and production of educational materials for Indigenous Student Services;
i. provides information to student service and academic departments on best practices for meeting the needs of Indigenous students;
j. provides outreach services to Indigenous organizations, programs and institutions such as career fairs and presentations on Douglas College programs and courses;
k. works closely with the Future Students’ Office, Enrolment Services and First Nations Bands to facilitate access to College programs for First Nations students;
l. oversees coordination of cultural events and related activities (e.g., medicine gathering field trip, community kitchen events, etc.);
m. works closely with Enrolment Services to maintain an up-to-date record of self-identified Indigenous Students and other relevant student records, such as confidential advising notes;
n. manages student assistant budget, programming budget for Elders and special projects; monitors expenditures and resolves budgetary discrepancies.

2. Supervises the daily operation of positions under their responsibility.
a. applies the BCGEU collective agreement to daily decision-making within established standards;
b. hires, trains and evaluates staff including providing orientation and ensuring appropriate professional development;
c. provides input into staff job descriptions;
d. coordinates and approves staff work schedules, vacations, absences and time sheets;
e. supervises and trains practicum students, work study students, student assistants and auxiliaries;
f. ensures adequate coverage for areas within responsibility, within existing budget parameters.

3. Oversees the day to day coordination of the Elders in Residence program at the College.
a. supports the hiring, scheduling and guidance of Douglas College ‘Elders in Residence’, including ensuring the Elders’ honorariums are processed in a timely manner;
b. advises staff and faculty on cultural protocols for working with Elders and Indigenous community members;
c. accompanies Elders to College events;
d. liaises between College contacts and Elders to confirm details for event participation and classroom visits;
e. purchases or procures supplies for Elders’ use (traditional medicines, workshop supplies, cultural items and gifts).

4. Represents the College on committees and initiatives related to Indigenization and Indigenous academic initiatives.
a. identifies and communicates with College and community resources and services and shares these with the network of staff who support Indigenous students;
b. acts as a College representative for Indigenous groups and initiatives for the College serving area;
c. acts as the designated College representative on provincial committees;
d. communicates with, initiates and maintains contact with appropriate community groups, professional organizations, government agencies, Indigenous organizations, and First Nation Band Educational Offices;
e. participates in committees and meetings with external partners, such as host First Nations, provincial working groups, or the national community of practice for Indigenous student services;
f. works closely with and provides support to the Indigenous Advisory Committee.

5. Performs other related duties as assigned.
a. participates in departmental and college-wide committees, working groups, meetings and programs to support Student Affairs & Services priorities and College initiatives;
b. performs the duties of subordinate positions for which they are qualified.
To Be Successful in this Role You Will Need
  • A minimum Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Education, Child and Youth Care, Social Work) from a recognized post-secondary institution.
  • Three years progressive related experience in a post-secondary (or similar) environment including one year of supervisory experience. An equivalent combination of related education, training, and experience may be considered.
  • Indigenous ancestry preferred or extensive cultural awareness and understanding of ways of knowing and being, and experience working with Indigenous organizations and communities.
  • Demonstrated supervisory skills, including organizational planning, scheduling, motivation, and adaptability to an ever-changing environment, along with experience in recruitment, hiring, training, coaching, and direct instruction.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, faculty, staff, students, and external partners (e.g., Elders, education coordinators with Band offices).
  • Thorough understanding of Indigenous history, culture, issues, values, and belief systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with Indigenous peoples and communities, supporting Indigenous learners and communities.
  • Knowledge of Indigenous student educational barriers/issues and available resources (e.g., band funding), as well as concerns related to study, work, and well-being.
  • Good working knowledge of educational objectives and operations within the Student Affairs field, as well as student development theory.
  • Knowledge of the BC post-secondary education system, including admission requirements, programs, graduation, partnerships, and articulated agreements.
  • Knowledge of the post-secondary student lifecycle and service needs.
  • Working knowledge of Douglas College academic policy and non-academic student-related policies or related experience from another post-secondary institution.
  • Proven administrative, and organizational abilities, including excellent project management skills.
  • Demonstrated competency in developing and implementing operating procedures and documentation.
  • Capability to work independently with minimal supervision, establish and meet deadlines.
  • Aptitude for working with people in stressful situations and managing conflict proactively, empathetically, and assertively.
  • Demonstrated ability to:
    • Coordinate events with multiple stakeholders in-person and online.
    • Coordinate communications to large groups in a user-friendly manner.
    • Interact effectively and tactfully with Indigenous peoples from diverse backgrounds and cultures (e.g., Urban Indigenous folks and diverse Nations).
    • Gather, organize, and report on feedback from events and programs.
    • Communicate persuasively, diplomatically, and tactfully verbally and in writing.
    • Collaborate and seek help when faced with complex or challenging situations.
    • Critically analyze, reason, problem-solve, and exercise sound judgment.
    • Ensure accuracy of information.
    • Maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
    • Utilize time management skills to prioritize tasks for self and groups.
    • Effectively lead and support project-based work using planning tools.
    • Exercise initiative within a team and promote a positive work environment.
    • Function effectively in an environment where professionalism, confidentiality, and sensitivity are of primary importance.
    • Compose correspondence and reports and maintain records.
    • Apply and work within relevant policies and procedures.
    • Demonstrate good working knowledge of modern office practices and procedures with a proven ability to coordinate information.
    • Use MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint at an advanced level.
    • Keyboard accurately at 50 wpm
    • Excellent English language skills, both oral and written.
    • Criminal Record Check required as a condition of employment, in accordance with the Criminal Record Check Act.
    • Will be required to obtain and maintain FOODSAFE Certification while performing in this role.
    • Working knowledge of database management systems such as Banner would be an asset.
Link to Full Position Profile
Equity Statement
Douglas College is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable learning and working environment. In support of this journey, we welcome all people to apply, including people from groups that are experiencing inequity, including, but not limited, to Indigenous Peoples, racialized or persons of colour, persons with mental or physical disabilities, persons who identify as women, and/or persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and persons of all faith identities, age, marital status, and parental status.
Needs a Criminal Records Check Yes
Posting Detail Information

Open Date 03/05/2024
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicant
Interested applicants must submit their application and all required documents online on the Douglas College Career Site [www.douglascollegecareers.ca]. Qualified internal applicants shall be given first consideration in filling the position. ALL INTERNAL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY March 11 2024, Please ensure your resume clearly explains how you meet the required knowledge, skills and abilities of the position for which you are applying. All candidates selected for interview will need to bring original certificates and diplomas of educational credentials noted on their resume.
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://www.douglascollegecareers.ca/postings/11993

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. How did you first find out about this employment opportunity?
    • Douglas College Careers Site
    • LinkedIn
    • Indeed
    • Social Media (Facebook, Instagram)
    • Personal Referral
    • Agency Referral
    • Professional Association Website
    • Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICAN)
    • Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)
    • Douglas College CareerHUB
    • Career Fair or Other Hiring Event
    • Other
    • Glassdoor
  2. Please confirm that you will maintain residency in the Lower Mainland for the duration of your employment.
    • Yes, I confirm
    • No, I am not able to meet this requirement
  3. Are you a current or former Douglas College employee/student?
    • Current employee
    • Former employee
    • Current student
    • Former student
    • None of the above
  4. If you are a current/former employee/student, enter your ID number. (Type in N/A if not applicable.)

    (Open Ended Question)

  5. If you have a valid Canadian work permit, please indicate expiry date and the type of work permit you hold. (Type N/A if not applicable).

    (Open Ended Question)

  6. If you are not a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident, do you currently have a valid Canadian work permit?
    • Yes
    • No
    • Not Applicable

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents
  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents
  1. References with Contact Information