Advocacy Specialist

This is a maternity leave coverage position from March 2025 to March 2026.

About Us:
The Student Association at BCIT is a leading non-profit student-led organization committed to enhancing student life through advocacy and providing student-centered, responsive and pro-active services. Considered one of the leading student associations in the province, we live our mission and are student-focused in all that we do. Students lead our organization and govern the affairs of the BCITSA. Our Board of Directors is composed of 12 elected Student Executives and Student Councilors from each of the different Schools at BCIT.

BCITSA is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace culture that supports and promotes equity, respect, and accountability among employees and BCIT students. We strive to cultivate a community that recognizes equity and diversity as fundamental to achieving inclusive excellence in all our programs and services. The following values encompass how BCITSA upholds our vision and mission, and guide how we provide our services: 
- We recognize the talent and unique perspectives, including seen and unseen qualities, our employees bring to our culture. 
- We expect our workplace culture to be one that is inclusive, respectful, fair, and safe for the diverse people within our organization to be their most authentic selves. 
- We advocate for flexibility, adaptability, and creative solutions to best meet the needs of our employees. 
- We foster a workplace where clear communication, transparency, and accountability are prioritized. 

Why Work With Us:

- Robust extended health, dental and life policies with a 50% co-pay in year one and full employer payment after completion of year one
- An Employee and Family Assistance program for you and your dependents
- Matching Pension Plan contributions of 6% after one year of service
- Free access to BCIT Flexible Learning Courses
- Generous vacation and leave options: 3 weeks to start plus paid time off during December closure
- 12 paid statutory holidays a year
- Free coffee and tea, and discounts at BCITSA food and retail locations
- Free access to BCIT fitness facility
- Flexible, fun team environment
- Everyone works towards enhancing student life

The Opportunity

The Advocacy Specialist is a case manager who supports students in navigating complex academic and non-academic issues from a holistic and inclusive lens. Using a trauma-informed approach, the Advocacy Specialist assesses needs, provides information, and guides students through the necessary processes, all with an emphasis on student personal/academic success, empowerment and personal responsibility. The Advocacy Specialist incorporates BCITSA’s equity, diversity and inclusion values into their work and professional relationships.

What You Will Do:
**ADVOCACY & OUTREACH**
- Using a trauma-informed approach, intake new students, analyze situations, assess needs, and create strategies for moving forward using necessary processes and school-specific practices
- Engage in proactive outreach activities by connecting students with resources and referrals, and educating them on available services, as appropriate
- Emphasize personal/academic success, empowerment, and personal responsibility in all interactions with students
- Coach students on different strategies and options to approach situations
- Ensure organized case management with accurate and non-biased notes
- Facilitate meetings with students and other appropriate parties, as needed
- Voice student concerns and complaints on their behalf when requested
- Follow up with students to monitor progress and refer to other services if needed
- Work in collaboration with BCIT to improve their policies to ensure relevancy to students
- Develop and maintain thorough knowledge of BCIT policies and procedures as it relates to student rights and responsibilities
- Monitor trends and gather statistics in order to make evidence-based decisions, as it relates to service delivery and student interactions with BCIT policies and procedures

**EDUCATION & PROGRAMMING**
- Assist in planning, coordinating, and executing a range of educational events, workshops, campaigns, and programs
- Maintain knowledge of supports and resources on campus for students including food security and housing resources
- Liaise with appropriate BCIT departments to coordinate delivery of events and programs
- Prepare and deliver presentations to promote Advocacy services; speak at significant program orientations and tabling events at all campuses
- Develop and deliver advocacy-related skills and education training to the BCIT community
- Attend student representative meetings as needed, to provide information about Advocacy services and student rights and responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications department to promote programs, and assist in developing and implementing strategies for promoting services and identifying gaps in service de