Indigenous Student Advisor

**Position Description**

StFX is seeking an Indigenous Student Advisor to join our team with the Diversity Engagement Centre. As a top-ranking Canadian university with over 1800 undergraduate students living on campus, we believe that learning opportunities take place both inside and outside the classroom. We know our impact shapes the campus culture and encourages self-leadership, fosters student wellbeing, and prepares students for their next steps in life. With a demonstrated commitment to student development, you will have the opportunity to use your energy and enthusiasm to build a cohesive residential community.

To align with StFX’s strategic plan to attract and retain a diverse population of students from under-represented groups, and to reflect that in our staff and faculty members, we are specifically seeking applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, with preference given to L’nu/Mi’kmaq applicants.

**Key Responsibilities**

The Indigenous Student Advisor will play a critical role in promoting inclusivity and belonging of all students. Highlights of the responsibilities include:

- Manage the Kiknu student centre
- Support the university community in fostering a culturally inclusive environment
- Prepares and produce individual and group sessions that focus on anti-racism, microaggressions and other issues facing the Indigenous student community.
- Prepares and coordinates initiatives, celebrations, activities, and program to promote, support, and celebrate the diversity of Indigenous culture.
- Partners with campus teams and departments to support the student experience
- Anticipate and arrange activities and events supporting student growth, engagement, and leadership.
- Finds and prepares opportunities for student skill-development through co-curricular activities.
- Uses recreational, cultural, and social events and activities to engage students and recognize important dates in the Indigenous community.
- Provides guidance to student organizations

The Indigenous student Advisor will work to engage and support a caseload of students to provide proactive outreach and responsive supports to students. Highlights of the responsibilities include:

- Maintains confidential and/or anonymous advising records of all Indigenous students accessing the office.
- Participates in case management meetings with Equity Advising Team.
- Advises on institutional barriers to access for Indigenous students, their sense of belonging, their representation in the institutional practices, and their overall wellbeing in classrooms and beyond.
- Refers students to appropriate resources on and off campus.
- Liaises with community partners and services to support referrals
- Works closely with local high schools to develop relationships with principals, and guidance counsellors to identify and support future Xaverians.
- Advises students on equity rights.
- Assist with recruitment, retention and student success initiative aimed at raising the profile of the university in its commitment to the success of Indigenous Students, with emphasis with Indigenous Nova Scotian Students.

**Qualifications/Skills**:

- A Bachelor’s degree with some experience advising youth in a post-secondary environment
- Event planning and delivery with high proficiency in social media campaigns and online engagement
- Proficient using Microsoft Office 365 (especially Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint), video conferencing, and enterprise level information systems
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills
- Experience training/facilitation preparation, delivery and evaluation including in on-line environments
- Ability to work independently
- Well versed in the current issues impacting Indigenous youth and a passion for engaging students to help them succeed
- Experience working with multiple stakeholders towards a common goal
- Preference may be given to graduates of St. Francis Xavier University.

- StFX is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People._

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $48,048.00-$58,676.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site gym
- Paid time off
- Vision care
- Wellness program

Work Location: In person