L’Nu Indigenous Student Advisor (PS) - Sydney Waterfront Campus - Designated

What you'll do

Responsibilities

This position responds to the voice and expectations of the Mi'kmaw community in Mi'kma'ki. It also reflects NSCC's strategic commitment to Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism (IDEA²). It respects and responds to rights and obligations outlined in the Peace and Friendship Treaty, Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2-Spirit People Calls to Justice; Colleges and Institutes Canada Indigenous Education Protocols; and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Additionally, this position aligns with our legal obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights legislation, and Nova Scotia's 2022 Dismantling Racism and Hate Act.

Reporting to the Manager, Student Services and functionally reporting to the Manager, Student Career, Advising and Financial Supports, you will :

• Support incoming students by building early relationships, guiding transitions into the learning community, creating awareness of available supports and services and working with the student to address any barriers identified.
• Provide proactive, developmental and culturally informed advisement (specifically, advisement which acknowledges and incorporates diverse perspectives, beliefs, and practices) to students based on individualized needs while prioritizing student safety and confidentiality.
• Build relationships with Community, community groups, organizations and agencies to center the Mi'kmaw and Indigenous student experience and support student success both inside and outside the College.
• Participate in events, activities, and interactions that support student growth and engagement.
• Assist students with program selection and information on the application process.
• Provide opportunities for students to explore career and employment options.
• Help students learn and make informed decisions regarding college policies, program selection and completion options.
• Assist students in planning how to meet financial commitments of college and navigating the bursary and scholarship opportunities.
• Be a member of campus and provincial Student Services and Advising teams, which provide a continuum of integrated services and opportunities to students.
• Work closely with Student Recruitment as well as NSCC's Community and Cultural Liaison Coordinators to support engagement with prospective students, build relationships with external Community, and align efforts with NSCC's equity frameworks. You will have a collaborative relationship with Human Rights, Equity, and Inclusion, playing a role in raising awareness of systemic barriers and issues of racism impacting students and staff.

What you'll need

Qualifications

Qualifications and Occupational Experience :

The minimum educational qualification for this position is a relevant university degree in areas such as, but not limited to, Student Affairs, Indigenous Studies, Adult Education, Social Sciences. A combination of education and lived experience (including providing support to Mi'kmaw and Indigenous learners) may also be considered.

You have a minimum of three (3) years (full-time equivalent) of recent and related occupational experience in student services or supporting adults in personal, academic, and / or career development and service delivery in Mi'kmaw and Indigenous community settings.

Your occupational experience includes extensive lived and first-hand experience of the Indigenous community and the challenges in accessing education and training.

Experience in training / facilitation preparation, delivery and evaluation.

Experience that includes student advising in a post-secondary environment would be considered an asset.

Experience that includes working with Mi'kmaw and Indigenous learners to ensure learner success would be considered an asset.

Ease with working in a digital environment; responsible for acquiring knowledge about advancing technology; and committed to using technology to create an exceptional student experience. Familiar with and comfortable using computer applications such as Microsoft Office Suite and e-mail.

Beginner to intermediate level experience with software including document processing, spreadsheets, presentations, collaboration and sharing tools, video conferencing and text messaging.

Experience using enterprise software, such as Peoplesoft would be considered an asset.

Relevant Skills and Knowledge :

You demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism.

You possess excellent interpersonal skills that enable you to interact with a diversity of people and support resolution of issues.

You are known for your superior customer service skills and can create a relationship of trust beyond the immediate interaction.

Your superb team working skills enable you to contribute positively to a team environment.

You have specific technical occupational knowledge and skill in student advising and career development.

Respect and understanding of confidentiality.

You are known for your problem solving and critical thinking skills.

You are a strong communicator.

You possess excellent coordination and task management skills specifically related to providing support and planning events for a large caseload.

You have proven records and information management skills and abilities specifically related to creating and managing student records.

You demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in the provision of student support.

You are dedicated to life-long learning related to emerging technologies that support student services, and evolving practices.