Indigenous Student Advisor

The Indigenous Student Advisor plays a pivotal role in supporting Indigenous students across the college by engaging them in programs designed to foster a safe and inclusive environment. This is achieved by providing wraparound supports and addressing their learning needs. Through a student-centered approach the Indigenous Student Advisors primary goal is to support Indigenous students through a Student-First Culture designed to develop their academic and personal skills in order to successfully meet the demands related to their studies at college. They will provide students with opportunities to build various skills and approaches to learning such as academic management skills combined with self-reflection to build a student’s own sense of direction in their educational journey. ISA’s will support inquiry’s, prospective and current Indigenous students through their transition into and transition through post secondary. ISA’s will assist prospective students to complete the application processes related to post-secondary training OCAS ( Ontario College Application) forms, OSAP, and First Nations funding applications, Band funding and inquiries related to the status of these applications. In addition, ISA’s will assist students with the application processes for student awards and bursaries. They must be attentive to the needs and interests of Indigenous students through understanding and appreciating their diverse backgrounds and individual interests in college. Indigenous Student Advisors must be knowledgeable about Indigenous community life and their diverse perspectives and sensitive to students individual needs as they transition into their learning at Confederation College. They will make appropriate referrals to internal and external resources related to students personal, academic and career matters. The Indigenous Student Advisor will provide on going support and mentoring to support students academic aspirations and success throughout their college program.

Two year diploma in appropriate discipline (social service worker/advocacy program/Indigenous learning or a diploma/degree in Education would be an asset.

The incumbent must have familiarity and experience in working with college systems and processes that enable student support for marginalized learners with particular emphasis on Indigenous students. The incumbent’s ability to work with Indigenous students in their transition and entrance into college is critical. The most important element of this role is that the incumbent must have had experience in providing the necessary support and engagement of Indigenous students to ensure their successful transition to college life. Background will include working with underprepared, at risk learners, particularly Indigenous students at a high school and college level. Extensive experience with remote northern communities and transitional challenges is required. An ability to speak and/or understand Ojibwa, Oji-Cree, Cree or a related language would be a significant asset. An ideal candidate for this position would be one who has personally transitioned to post-secondary from a rural and remote community and has successfully overcome the potential barriers and challenges associated with it.

In keeping with our strategic plan commitment to fostering Access and Success, Community Prosperity and Institutional Excellence, we encourage applications from persons of Indigenous ancestry. In accordance with Confederation College’s core values of respect, caring and openness we are committed to providing our current and future employees with a workplace that is safe, healthy and fair. As such we are fragrance free, fully accessible and encourage applications from all qualified applicants. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact Human Resources Services at (807) 475-6148 to make appropriate arrangements.