The University of Winnipeg is committed to providing a welcoming, respectful, and culturally safe environment for Indigenous students. The Indigenous Student Services Centre (ISSC) plays a vital role in supporting Indigenous learners through holistic, culturally grounded programming and services.
The Indigenous Liaison Officer is a full-time continuing role, and a central function in the University’s Indigenous student recruitment and retention strategy. The successful candidate will have a strong external role in the Indigenous community and educational settings of Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario and Saskatchewan. Internally, they will act as a focal point for the University’s Indigenous initiatives.
Responsibilities:
- Liaise with urban, rural and northern Indigenous (First Nation, Metis, Inuit) organizations, post-secondary education authorities and schools.
- Must have up to date knowledge on a variety of topics to assist students in their educational pursuits.
- Provide information regarding the various types of academic programs, student supports, and application processes.
- Provide clear guidance on entrance and language requirements, application steps, and entrance scholarships/financial aid/awards.
- Share information on degree requirements, articulations/transfer opportunities, and post-graduation options.
- Answer basic questions about course selection and registration, referring complex inquiries.
- Liaise with various Access and community-based programs, and other educational institutions.
- Maintain positive professional relationships with internal and external contacts.
- Provide exemplary customer service and adhere to quality assurance principles.
- Maintain an active role with the Choices for Indigenous Post-Secondary Education in Manitoba (CIPEM) committee.
- Plan, organize, schedule and conduct presentations, seminars, school visits, and campus tours.
- Represent the University, during recruitment opportunities in schools or communities where there is a significant Indigenous population.
- In consultation with Manager, maintain a recruiting calendar including annual tours to Indigenous schools and communities across Manitoba, North-western Ontario and Saskatchewan.
- Uses tours to present information on the University to prospective and admitted Indigenous students or groups.
- Receive, monitor, and respond to prospective student inquiries.
- Maintain a database of all contacts and use the University’s CRM system to log inquiries, visits, follow-ups, and outcomes.
- Complete and maintain high school/community visit summaries and recruitment activity reports
- Maintain an action plan for communication and follow-up.
- Update presentations and recruitment materials and displays.
- Prepare media and materials for presentations and online fairs, in addition to in-person events.
- Shares responsibility for the creation and upkeep of resource material, publications and displays.
- Collaborate with other departments in the development of a strategic marketing plan, its annual review and content creation and updates.
- Ensure an Indigenous perspective is reflected in all events and publications.
- Supervise and direct Student Ambassadors during on and off campus events and recruitment activities.
- Book hotels, plan rental vehicles, complete travel expense reports and manage receipts/expenditures according to University policies.
- Represents Indigenous initiatives and participates in various university and external committees as an active member and resource person.
- Ensures that efforts of the unit are consistent with established structures, policies, student service, and quality assurance principles
- Maintain an up-to-date working knowledge of the full range of Student Services to support accurate warm referrals.
- Maintain an awareness of overall student service policies and procedures.
- Maintain contact, support and retention strategies of those students who indicate a desire for assistance.
- Ensures ISSC’s social media platform and website are up to date.
- Participate in Orientation/Awareness week.
- May participate in hiring, training and supervision of Student Ambassadors.
- Receive, screen, respond to, and refer inquiries, providing information whenever possible.
- Complete a variety of office administrative functions
- Provide internal information to staff, faculty, Student Recruitment and external information to high-school counsellors, First Nation Education Authorities, government agencies, students and the general public.
- Assist the Transition Year Program Coordinator with the TYP Orientation.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Undergraduate degree in a related discipline, preferably from the University of Winnipeg.
- Minimum of three years of directly related experience.
- Experience working with Indigenous youth, access initiatives, at-risk student populations, northern communities.
- Strong recruitment skills and/or knowledge of ethical recruitment practices.
- Must have strong organizational, oral and written communications skills, with emphasis on strong oral presentation skills.
- Skilled with multimedia for recruitment (digital projectors, online file-sharing/email programs, laptops and peripherals).
- Good working knowledge of computers and computer software.
- Must have good working knowledge of the nature, purpose and value of a liberal education and have the ability to communicate that.
- Must have a good general knowledge of all facets of University programs, pre-requisites, mature student admissions, prior learning, student financial aid, student life, educational and employment trends.
- In-depth knowledge and sensitivity to the experience of Indigenous students, students at-risk and issues and opportunities for Indigenous peoples in Canada.
- Clear understanding of the aspirations of today’s Indigenous youth, their needs within a large, urban community and the relationship between rural and remote communities. Experience in northern and remote communities an asset.
- Demonstrated abilities engaging with Indigenous youth, adult learners, communities and traditions.
- Must have the ability and desire to establish positive relationships with students from diverse backgrounds and be able to work effectively and in harmony with students, faculty, staff and administrators.
- Must be willing to work in an environment that has a traditional, sequential student population, yet aspires to embrace the under-represented segments of Manitoba’s population, including Indigenous students, adult learners, international students and students with special needs.
- Must be able to cope with fluctuations in workloads and changing institutional priorities, and time-sensitive matters in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to communicate in one or more Indigenous languages would be an asset.
- Must be sensitive to the needs and concerns of all students, prospective students and the general public.
- Must be innovative and show initiative,
- Must have a high level of personal integrity, a sense of humour and enjoyment of student life
- Preference will be given to qualified candidates of Indigenous ancestry, please confidentially self-identify at the time of application.
An equivalent combination of education, experience, skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered.
Condition(s) of Employment:
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
- Must have a valid Manitoba Driver’s License and, on occasion, may need to have access to a vehicle (subject to mileage reimbursement).
- Requires flexibility in working schedule during peak periods, including evenings, overtime and near deadline dates
The salary range for this position will be from $49,686.00 to $68,887.00 annually.
Note: The work described in this posting will be conducted in-person.
The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research environments, and is essential to academic and institutional excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons to confidentially self-identify at time of application. In accordance with the University of Winnipeg Employment Equity and Diversity Policy Section 11 of The Human Rights Code, preference will be given to qualified candidates of Indigenous ancestry.
The University of Winnipeg is committed to ensuring employment opportunities are accessible for all applicants. If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected].
The personal information of applicants is collected under the authority of the University of Winnipeg Act and 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected via the recruitment process is used to assess the applicant’s suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for employment, and to otherwise support recruitment activities. This information will be provided to participating members of the recruitment process. Questions regarding the collection of your personal information may be directed to the Director, HR Services, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9 or [email protected].
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