Indigenous Academic Advisor

Under the direction of the Supervisor, the Indigenous Academic Advisor provides prospective and current Indigenous1 students with information regarding the College's programs and courses; as well as focuses on services that aid new and current Indigenous students in the development of education plans to meet their educational and career goals.

The Indigenous Academic Advisor assists in identifying and reducing or eliminating barriers to participation in post-secondary education, along with ensuring Indigenous students have access to cultural space and opportunities for cultural learning and development.

While participating in student recruitment, the Advisor works collaboratively with college community to promote student success; improve retention, minimize attrition and build community relationships.

The Advisor may be required to travel between campuses and partner sites.

TYPICAL DUTIES
Student Support and Service- Provides students with current accurate information about programs, courses and services provided by the College, other post-secondary institutions, and other agencies;- Helps students prepare educational plans that are appropriate, realistic and consistent with their educational and career goals;- Assists students explore career and program resources, promotes the use of applicable advising, planning, and career exploration tools including assisting with using various online tools, include Degree Audit module, and refers to counsellors as appropriate; disseminates registration information students and others on request;- Identifies the need for assessment testing, which may include help with identifying appropriate assessment method and location, and incorporates placement decisions into the preparation of educational plans including up-grading as appropriate;- Supports students with transitions between in-community learning to on-campus learning, programs, and institutions;- Identifies students who may experience academic difficulty or with unique educational needs, and recommends appropriate actions or interventions; this also includes students facing the systemic racism deeply embedded in academia;- Acts as student advocate by maintaining close liaison with faculty and other applicable parties on student progress and student education planning;- Acts as the transfer credit resource for Student Experience staff, which may include pre-evaluating and reviewing previous academic work, transfer credits, or volunteer/work experience, and other related items, verifies Indigenous ancestry for students who are accessing program seats/services that require Indigenous ancestry;- Drawing upon past lived in experience, provides one-to-one meetings to engage, promote, and organize strategies and solutions to support student wellness as relates to Indigenous students' behaviour which may be impacted by intergenerational trauma, depression, test anxiety, PTSD, anti-social behaviour, cultural differences, peer to per conflict, group processes, and transitions to an urban setting, and as appropriate refers and connects students to other resources such as counselling, accessible learning support, or learning skills departments, Elders, and/or various external services;- Provides group orientation and self-help materials for students regarding college life, student services, and information about other institutions to help students navigate between college, community expectations, culture, and college processes in order to achieve student/academic success;- Leads or participates in talking circles to provide assistance to Indigenous1 students to understand college culture and language in relation to the students' own indigenous cultural expectations and their education; including active listening when debriefing about cultural or racialization issues;- With intrinsic understanding, shares information and provides coaching to students for maintaining cultural obligations while balancing educational needs and expectations, and/or exploring indigenous cultural identity issues- Engages in cultural ceremony for students and may host or provide teachings about some cultural activities and ceremonies;
Student Recruitment- Provides information on indigenous culture and ways of being and doing to the Office of the Registrar and college community to enhance the student experience and to promote knowledge and awareness of the College's Indigenization policy;- Responds to inquiries, makes recommendations, and engages with others in the College, sponsors, community members to promote and align processes that enable student access, retention, and success;- Liaises with Elders and other community-based cultural experts to provide student support;- Liaises with external institutions regarding articulation and student advocacy matters;- Recruits for all college programs, which may include collaboration with Office of the Registrar - Student Recruitment, with emphasis on Indigenous programs;- Builds and strengthens relationships with other Indigenous service providers and funders; and with secondary schools, agencies, Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities- Provides information about Band funding and other forms of Indigenous funding; funding from various government sources; and about available bursaries, scholarships and awards; assists students in accessing funding; processes applicable & forms; and refers to Financial Aid and/or Centre for Accessible Learning as appropriate;- Assists in recipient selection for awards administered jointly by IECC and the College Foundation;- Helps to maintain a list of emergency supports and contacts for Indigenous students in crisis;- In consultation with the supervisor and Executive Director drafts content and updates for department and school specific publications, website, social media, and recruitment support material;
General- Engages and participates in reconciliation efforts put forth by the College;- Maintains a thorough understanding of the College's current and planned programs and courses including credit, vocational, and continuing education;- Provides clarification about College policies and procedures that support admissions and registration, prerequisites, course transfer arrangements, and high school graduation requirements;- Develops and maintains in depth knowledge of articulation as well as university transfer, upgrading, certificate, diploma, degree and graduate degree programs in post-secondary educational institutions in relation to Camosun courses and programs;

• Develops and maintains a thorough knowledge of college's integrated database (Colleague) and available student selfservice systems (eg myCamosun) as relates to the admission and registration, advising, and finance processes;
• Creates and maintains student files, statistics and other records as appropriate;
• In collaboration with Supervisor and other department members reviews and recommends enhancements to technical supports, business processes, and the development of annual timelines to deliver quality services and improve department effectiveness; participates in enduser testing as required;
• Assists and participates in team, department, and other meetings; as well as activities or special events, including but not limited to program orientations, that support Indigenous cultural learning;
• Performs other related duties similar in scope and complexity.

Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONSBachelor's degree and five years of experience, of which three years are related to educational and career planning activities, and of which two years are lived experience in protocol and working in Indigenous contexts, settings and/or within Indigenous communities, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.- Lived experience and internalized understanding of Indigenous social and educational issues, resources, and community, including knowledge, strategies, and approaches as relates to systemic/individual racism;- Understanding of the cultural diversity among Indigenous people in Canada and the college catchment area, as well as knowledge of culturally appropriate ways of working with local Indigenous1 students and communities;- Strong interpersonal, intercultural, and communication skills;- Demonstrated human relations skills such as effective listening and the ability to support persons experiencing trauma including an awareness of interventions or supports to positively impact student success;- Knowledge of anti-oppression, anti-racism and strength-based practices;- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to take responsibility and make independent decisions that support the interests of students and the College;- Proven ability to handle enquiries from students, the public and external agencies with respect, confidence and tact;- Commitment to working within a team;- Demonstrated ability to use MS Office suite including Outlook.

Capabilities The core capabilities are required for all positions at the college.
Focus on Students and Their Success (Core)

• We all have a role to play in promoting and supporting students - directly or indirectly - contributing to their success, education and transition as they build their path to the future.

Cultural Alignment (Core)

• Inclusion and respect align with Camosun's traditions of lifelong learning and positive, supportive experiences for all. We examine our individual and institutional cultures and, through indigenization, consider other ways of knowing (thinking), being (approaches), doing (acting), and relating.

Fostering and Nurturing Relationships (Core)

• Fostering and nurturing relationships is at the core of everything we do. Successful workplace relationships take time to develop and include building trust, engagement and collaboration.

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