Manager, Indigenous Student Services

Manager, Indigenous Student Services

Status: Full Time

Hours: Monday - Friday, 35 hours/week

Home Campus: Fennell (hybrid work arrangements available)

Rate of Pay: Payband 10 ($85,528 - $106,911 per year)

Posting Date: January 8th, 2025

Closing Date: January 22nd, 2025 at 7:00 pm EST

We believe the rich diversity among our students and the communities we serve should be reflected within our workforce. As educators, we believe it is important to act and show leadership in advancing the principles of reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our community.

Reporting to the Director, Centre for Indigenous Relations, Knowledge, and Learning, the Manager, Indigenous Student Services is responsible for strategically managing the Indigenous Student Centre, its staff, and its services offered to students. The incumbent is responsible for the inclusion of authentic traditional Indigenous Knowledge in all processes, programming/awareness activities, student success interventions and administrative processes related to the centre. The incumbent is also responsible for the budget related to the operational activities of the department at Mohawk College.

The Manager, Indigenous Student Services, is responsible to ensure the Centre continually strives to promote positive Indigenous identity, authentic Indigenous Knowledge and student leadership development consistent with a traditional Indigenous world view. The incumbent is responsible for the identification and implementation of short and long-term initiatives and strategies; managing student support services and activities (peer mentorship, Pathfinder, elder supports, orientation activities, etc.), administration of special projects/contracts, budget and finance planning & reporting. This position performs key strategic and administrative roles that support the Indigenous Student Services area in meeting departmental goals and objectives within Indigenous initiatives and the Student International and Alumni division and the College's overall strategic and operational plans.

What you'll be doing:

Strategic Engagement and Delivery of Activities, Programming, and Support

• Develops, implements and evaluates processes to support Indigenous students that are consistent with the College's strategic plan, Indigenous initiatives, and aligned with the Student & International area plans as needed.
• Manages and oversees services including cultural related awareness events and activities, student success workshops, etc.; assigns tasks to Indigenous Student Services team for programming by establishing work plans, priorities and schedules and determining assignments, resources and skill requirements.
• Provides recommendations and implements improvements to ensure a complete range of services that support the needs of the students throughout transition into college, during their time at the college, and transition out.
• Ensures presence of the Indigenous services team at various Mohawk College events; Open House, etc.
• Ensures the Student Centre continually strives to promote positive Indigenous identity, authentic Indigenous Knowledge and student leadership development that is consistent with a traditional Indigenous world view.
• Develops draft reports with recommendations on progress, identified shortfalls and continuous improvements for the departmental programming and services.
• Responsible for the self-identification process for Indigenous students; awareness initiatives, data entry and validation.
• Leads working with the Financial Assistance department on the promotion, administration and selection of Indigenous students for Indigenous funded awards, scholarships and bursaries.
• Administration of emergency financial support for students via the Moving forward fund; ensures alignment with requirements for funding and works with Financial Assistance department on transfer of funds to students.
• Responsible for the administration of the peer tutor program and peer mentors; recruitment, onboarding, training and contract administration of tutors and mentors hired. Ensures students are aware of these supports and how to access them.
• Responsible for the quality of all copy materials seen by the public ensuring meticulous accuracy, grammar and structure as befitting a highly regarded post-secondary institution.
• Manages and oversees strategies for student engagement, transition, and services to support Indigenous student success and wellness including Pathfinder, TIPS (Transitioning Indigenous students into Post-Secondary), guest speakers, counselling, tutoring, and Elder supports.

Partnerships

• Maintains a positive working relationship with a variety of working groups by establishing a day-to-day presence. Works with college partners in Accessible Learning Services, Student Rights & Responsibilities, etc., to support students in need.
• Works with accounts department to ensure up-to-date listing of sponsors; works with agencies and bands regarding funding concerns.
• Primary contact with identified partners to support the admissions and onboarding of Indigenous students to the College; i.e. Homeward Bound programming.
• Supports conversations with the Foundation to identify funding opportunities, ensures current donor dollars are allocated and spent as per funding agreements. Provides updates to the Foundation on use of funds.
• Leads on the Pathfinder program, responsible for working with college partners including the Centre of Indigenous Relations, Knowledge, and Learning (CIRKL) on delivering dual credit opportunities for students. Works with local schools and bands to promote this opportunity to youth.
• Liaisons with school boards and recruitment to support engagement in post-secondary and access to PSE and services via visits, programming etc.

Financial

• Responsible for the Indigenous Student Success Fund (ISSF) Ministry funding; allocation of budget, reporting and review.
• Supports the Director in developing and monitoring annual budgets by reconciling expenditures, preparing monthly status reports and identifying anomalies.
• Oversees processing, allocation and approval of all budget expenses including invoices, expense claims, credit card expenses, inter-departmental transfers, replacement costs for Indigenous Student Services.
• Identifies planning factors (in year & projections) which ensures the effective use of core & MTCU financial resources, and the appropriate reallocation of resources as necessary.
• Manages all aspects of Indigenous Student Services budget.

Staffing Resources and Budget Administration

• Oversees the recruiting, hiring, termination, training, disciplining, short- and long- term planning of the department. The incumbent is responsible for providing leadership, motivating, and building strong teams and for directing staff to appropriate professional development opportunities.
• Responsible for the efficient and effective use of the operating fund allocated for staffing in the Indigenous Student Services operations, ensuring these are dedicated to core accountabilities.
• Where no internal professional development is available, the incumbent is expected to provide the training or to contract training providers for specific workshops. (e.g., credential issues).
• Evaluates the long-term goals of the office and creates opportunities for staff who display leadership, technical and administrative potential for further advancement within the department or the College.
• Manages the staffing budget, identify as early as possible anticipated expenditures of a non-recurring nature and to project costs associated with any new initiatives.

College Initiatives, Business Processes & Policies

• As a member of the Indigenous & SI management team, the incumbent participates in strategic planning and development and advises on the impact of policy and operational processes as they relate to the services and Indigenous Student Services.
• Promotes collaboration, cooperation and integration of Indigenous Student Services impacting areas
• Supports in development of new policies and procedures to support Indigenous initiatives, services, and supports for learners, or updates as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

What you'll bring to the role:

• A minimum of a three-year post-secondary education in Business and/or Office Management/Administration; or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of five years of administrative experience, preferably in an educational setting.
• Lived experience and demonstrated work experience in/with Indigenous communities
• Understanding of Indigenous worldview including ways of knowing, being, and doing
• Operations and budget management experience in a similar setting and capacity.
• Priority setting.
• Project Management.
• Learner and community focus.
• Able to communicate orally and in writing with clients, co-workers and community contacts.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Skills in time management, conflict resolution and delegation.
• Able to work in a team environment.
• Ideally:
  • Broad based knowledge of all College programs and services.
  • Extensive knowledge of College organization, systems, policies and procedures.
  • College Software applications: SCT Banner, Millennium FastSuite, Microsoft Office etc.
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding of human rights, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• The ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse students, employees, and communities.

What we offer:

• Progressive vacation plan starting with 22 vacation days per year plus holiday closure.
• Defined Benefit pension plan (CAAT) with contributions matched by Mohawk College.
• 93% top up of maternity and parental leave pay for 52 weeks.
• Annual employee performance incentive program.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, paramedical services (massage therapy, acupuncture, naturopath, psychotherapy and psychology), short-term and long-term disability.
• Ability to take courses at a reduced rate for employees and dependents.

To find out more about working at Mohawk College, please visit https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/about-mohawk/careers-at-mohawk

We are committed to reconciliation and nurturing an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible (IDEA) environment for everyone who learns and works at Mohawk College. We welcome applications from racialized persons, women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. If you are First Nations, Metis, or Inuit we encourage you to identify this on your application.

The College is committed to fostering inclusive ad barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources.

To learn more about Mohawk College's commitments, please visit the Mohawk College strategic plan webpage: https://www.strategicplan.mohawkcollege.ca/