Indigenous Student Advisor – Credit Programs

The Student Services department’s role in student success is to create a culture and environment that unleashes the full potential of all the students at SAIT. Our primary goal is to support Student-First Culture, by focusing on student success and mobilizing all campus community members in this shared goal.

The Opportunity

The Natoysopoyiis Indigenous Student Advisor’s primary role is to support Indigenous students’ successful transition through, and completion of, SAIT programs by providing strategically defined retention efforts. As outlined in SAIT’s Indigenous Learner Success Strategy, the position is responsible in addressing the priorities related to assisting with Indigenous students transition and with increasing retention and success. The position works collaboratively and participates with Learner Services staff in such things as; planning orientation activities, monitoring student progress including assessing student needs, referrals to appropriate services, providing emotional, cultural and academic support including proactively organizing interventions for students experiencing difficulties. The essence of teamwork is critical in this position requiring close collaborative efforts working with the Natoysopoyiis team in the implementation and the accomplishments of the priorities and goals outlined in the Indigenous Learner Success Strategy. A critical focus and accountability of this role is the emphasis being placed on transition support, retention and increasing completion rates of Indigenous students. This role will also provide backup coverage for the Indigenous Student Recruiter position.

This position is the subject matter expert in:

• Prior knowledge of the needs of post‐secondary Indigenous students
• Knowledge of student information systems
• Strong understanding of and positive attitude toward Indigenous population
• Knowledge of barriers affecting access to post-secondary education for Indigenous students
• Ability to maintain high‐level of transparency, confidentiality and professionalism with SAIT students and staff
• Knowledge of Indigenous communities, cultures and protocols within Treaty 7is an asset.
• Ability to speak an Indigenous language, particularly Blackfoot, Stoney Nakodaor Tsuut’ina would be an asset.
• Remains up to date on the latest research around best practices in Indigenous student retention, and develop innovative strategies to enhance the learning experience of Indigenous students

Please Note: Proof of Indigenous Ancestry is required for this role.  This refers to whether a person has ancestry associated with the Indigenous peoples of Canada, that is, First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit. Aboriginal peoples (referred to here as Indigenous peoples) of Canada are defined in the Constitution Act, 1982, Section 35 (2) as including the First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada. The term 'Aboriginal' has been replaced with the updated term of 'Indigenous' when referring to individuals who identify themselves as First Nations people, Métis and/or Inuit.

The Role

• Student Advising and Retention - 50%
• Closely monitors students’ progress and retention utilizing the student database tracking system and submits bi‐weekly updates to the Manager of Natoysopoyiis.
• Assists students at risk to assess their progress and identifies appropriate support services when necessary (tutoring, accessibility, counseling etc.)
• Empowers all Indigenous students at SAIT utilizing best practices in Indigenous student retention (advising, coaching, referrals, etc.)
• Maintains a constant and consistent presence in Natoysopoyiis to proactively support the needs of Indigenous students, accomplishing this by prioritizing tasks, managing time, and maintaining a detailed schedule of proposed activities
• Facilitates interventions for students experiencing difficulties
• Assists in developing and updating an Indigenous student retention plan
• Makes referrals to the Natoysopoyiis Manager for access to emergency funds and crisis intervention
• Maintains professional and ethical communication with all staff and students as per SAIT policies and procedures
• Liaises with various internal SAIT services and external programs and agencies to establish an appropriate referral network for students experiencing difficulties
• Assist in the coordination and delivery of peer mentorship programs for Indigenous students
• In consultation with stakeholder parties, participates in research and development of future student service initiatives
• Reviews policies, procedures and best practices supporting Indigenous student retention and success
• As assigned and in conjunction with Natoysopoyiis staff, assists in the design and implementation of Indigenous student programs, events and service delivery
• Ensures that SAIT policies and procedures are followed a well as the operating procedures of the Chinook Lodge Student Service Program
• Maintains and establishes links to other agencies and employers that serve or could serve Indigenous students’ interests
• Assists in the development and delivery of cultural programing including facilitating Elder and traditional knowledge keeper’s engagement for Indigenous students.  - Student Transition - 50%
• Empowers all Indigenous students at SAIT utilizing best practices in Indigenous student retention (advising, coaching, referrals, etc.)
• Assists in the support of Indigenous students and accomplishing this by prioritizing tasks, managing time, and maintaining a detailed schedule of proposed activities
• Facilitates interventions for students experiencing difficulties
• Makes referrals to Natoysopoyiis Manager for access to emergency funds for crisis interventions
• Maintains professional and ethical communication with all staff and students as per SAIT policies and procedures
• Tracks all data related to retention activities
• In consultation with stakeholder parties, participates in research and development of future student service initiatives
• As assigned and in conjunction with Natoysopoyiis staff, assists in the design and implementation of Indigenous student programs and service delivery
• Ensures that SAIT policies and procedures are followed as well as the operating procedures of the Natoysopoyiis Student Service Program

Qualifications

• Education:

• Diploma (preferably in the social sciences) with a minimum of two years’ experience working with Indigenous Peoples, ideally in an education environment.

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred

• Training or Experience

• Must have highly developed organizational skills, excellent computer skills, excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and leadership skills. This has been demonstrated in working with Indigenous students and in the Indigenous community. Experience in event or project management and some budgeting experiences are assets with familiarity of student information systems.

• Knowledge of student advising transition and retention approaches/theories and best practices.

Skills/ Expertise Required

• Strong communication and problem‐solving skills

• Strong organization and time management skills

• Strong public speaking and presentation skills

• Prior knowledge of the needs of post‐secondary Indigenous students

• Prior experience working in a post‐secondary environment, with knowledge of student information systems

• Knowledge of student development and retention theories

• Strong understanding of and positive attitude toward Indigenous population

• Ability to maintain high‐level of transparency, confidentiality and professionalism with SAIT students and staff

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

• Flexibility, patience, versatility and adaptability

• Crisis management skills an asset

• Ability to meet assigned deadlines and a commitment to task completion

• Strong teamwork skills (i.e. maintain open and respectful lines of communication, cooperation)

• In addition, the incumbent will be knowledgeable in the following:

• Alberta Human Rights, Citizenship and Multicultural Act

• SAIT Policy and Procedure AC2.15.1 Indigenous Learners Policy and Procedure

• SAIT collective agreements

• SAIT Indigenous Learner Success Strategy

• Natoysopoyiis procedures manual

• SAIT policies and procedures

• Indigenous protocols within Treaty7 is an asset.