Indigenous Community Service Worker Instructor

Indigenous Community Service Worker Instructor

Location: Vancouver
Reports To: Campus Director
Employment Type: Part-time
Schedule: Monday–Friday (availability required for both in-person and online teaching)
Salary: $35/hour

Who we are

Vancouver College of Counselling Training (VCCT) is seeking a qualified Indigenous Community Service Worker Instructor to join our instructional team. In this role, you will support adult learners as they develop the knowledge, ethical understanding, and practical competencies required for careers supporting individuals affected by substance use and behavioural addictions.

Position Overview

The Indigenous Community Service Worker Instructor is responsible for delivering high-quality instruction to students enrolled in the Indigenous Community Service Worker Instructor diploma program. The instructor supports student learning through culturally responsive teaching practices, practical training, mentorship, and academic guidance while promoting Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and community-based approaches.

As an Indigenous Community Service Worker Instructor at VCCT, you will deliver high-quality, student-centered instruction across both in-person and online learning environments. Instructors are expected to model professional ethics consistent with addiction support practice while helping students build practical workplace readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver classroom, online, and/or hybrid instruction in accordance with curriculum guidelines and program outcomes.
• Teach courses related to:
• Indigenous community support
• Mental health and addictions
• Crisis intervention
• Social services
• Case management
• Indigenous history and cultural awareness
• Trauma-informed care
• Advocacy and community outreach
• Develop lesson plans, assignments, assessments, and learning materials.
• Evaluate student performance and provide constructive feedback.
• Support students academically and professionally throughout the program.
• Maintain accurate attendance, grades, and student records.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and culturally safe learning environment.
• Stay current with industry trends, Indigenous community needs, and best practices in social and community services.
• Participate in faculty meetings, curriculum updates, and institutional events.
• Assist students with practicum preparation and career readiness.
• Collaborate with Indigenous organizations, Elders, and community partners when appropriate.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in:
• Community Service Work
• Social Work
• Indigenous Studies
• Psychology
• Social Services
• Or a related field
• Relevant professional experience in Indigenous community services, social services, mental health, outreach, or advocacy.
• Previous teaching or training experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and community-based practices.
• Excellent communication, mentorship, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with diverse populations and vulnerable communities.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches.

Preferred Assets

• Lived experience and/or strong connections within Indigenous communities.
• Experience supporting adult learners.
• Knowledge of Indigenous healing practices and reconciliation frameworks.
• Familiarity with college learning management systems and online teaching platforms.

Work Environment

• Classroom, hybrid, or online teaching environment.
• May involve evening or weekend classes.
• Collaborative work with academic teams and community organizations.

Develop New Course Content: Design and develop comprehensive course curriculum, including syllabi, learning objectives, and detailed outlines for new in-class and online programs.

Create Instructional Materials: Produce engaging educational content such as case studies, laboratory exercises, multimedia resources, and assignments to support diverse learning needs.

Set Learning Objectives: Define clear, measurable student learning outcomes that align with academic standards and program goals.

Student Support and Engagement

• Be available Monday through Friday to support learners across scheduled teaching formats.
• Provide academic coaching and additional instructional support when required.
• Foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment.
• Encourage participation in both synchronous and asynchronous learning activities.
• Support students preparing for employment in addictions support and community service settings.

Program and Institutional Responsibilities

• Maintain familiarity with VCCT Addictions Worker curriculum and updates.
• Participate in curriculum improvement initiatives.
• Attend instructor meetings and professional development sessions.
• Support student progress monitoring and early intervention strategies when needed.
• Uphold academic integrity and institutional compliance standards.

Administrative and Technical Duties

• Maintain accurate attendance and grading records.
• Deliver instruction using:
• Canvas LMS
• Microsoft Teams
• institutional communication platforms
• Support students navigating online learning tools.
• Maintain professional communication through official VCCT platforms.

Professional and Ethical Conduct

• Demonstrate professionalism and commitment to student success.
• Model ethical behaviour aligned with addictions support and recovery practice.
• Apply culturally responsive and trauma-informed teaching approaches.
• Maintain appropriate professional presentation when teaching on campus.
• Follow institutional policies and values in all instructional responsibilities.

Minimum Instructor Qualifications

(As per regulatory guidelines)

• A certificate, diploma, or post-secondary degree relevant to Addictions Support plus two years full-time related experience, OR
• Ten years of full-time directly related field experience in addictions or recovery support services

VCCT is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals who identify as Indigenous, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQIA2S+, and those from historically marginalized communities.