Indigenous Student Support Coordinator

135 days for the 2026/2027 academic year
55 days for the 2027/2028 academic year

Saskatchewan Polytechnic considers the diversity of our workforce to be one our leading strengths and greatest assets. Our employee diversity enhances our ability to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. Currently, approximately 20% of our students are Indigenous. A continued emphasis on the development of a representative workforce is one of Sask Polytech’s strategic priorities and, as an organization, we are making significant efforts to attract and retain Indigenous employees.

This position has been designated for Indigenous person under the Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s employment equity program. You will be required to provide documentation to verify your Indigenous citizenship/membership during the recruitment process.

The Indigenous Student Support Coordinator will provide proactive support to Indigenous applicants and students, ensuring their successful transition and ongoing success at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. This position is designed to enhance the recruitment, retention and success of the students with of Indigenous ancestry. This role involves liaising with various stakeholders, coordinating support services, and fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.

The successful candidate will be knowledgeable and respectful of the diverse cultural perspectives and practice and possess the interpersonal skills to interact effectively with groups of diverse students, faculty and staff and community members. The incumbent will provide support and retention services that focus primarily on Indigenous students.

Key Responsibilities:

Student Transition and Support:

1. Coordinate and deliver Wichitowin transition programming for Indigenous students.
2. Establish proactive, student-centered relationships with campus community members, including program heads, staff, student development, Indigenous student centers, and enrollment services.
3. Collaborate with program heads and instructional staff to promote early identification of student issues.
4. Provide instruction in life skills topics to empower Indigenous students to achieve their educational goals and enhance employability skills.

Community and Cultural Support:

1. Liaise with funding agencies and sponsors.
2. Assist students in accessing community and cultural support, provide referrals both internal and external to Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and advocate on behalf of students.

Leadership and Coordination:

1. Provide leadership for the Indigenous Student Centre based on an outreach model that supports innovative practices to increase student engagement and success.
2. Facilitating Elder and Knowledge Keeper support services and maintain a teamwork and collaborative approach to providing services for Indigenous students.
3. Promote the Indigenous Student Centre as a positive learning, social, and cultural environment directed at the retention and well-being of Indigenous students.
4. Plan, develop, and deliver outcomes-based cultural curriculum, instruction, and culturally responsive events and programs that support the academic success, personal development, and community engagement of Indigenous students, in response to individual and group needs.
5. Liaise with the community and Indigenous agencies/services to facilitate access to community resources for the well-being of students.
6. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, campus associations, and external agencies to optimize student success.
7. Communicate consistently and effectively with stakeholders.

Program Development and Reporting:

1. Ensure the assessment of activities and services of the Centre to support a continuous improvement model.
2. Submit monthly reports and a year-end summary report to the program head and manager.

Other

1. Travel will be required
2. Ability to work irregular hours is required
3. Other duties as assigned

1. Bachelor of education or closely related field, or equivalent combination of a relevant post-secondary education and experience.
2. Two years recent and relevant work experience in developing and/or delivering learning and support activities for Indigenous people.
3. Leadership and supervisory experience.
4. Experience working with Indigenous communities and understanding of Indigenous cultures and traditions.
5. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
6. Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
7. Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the network of social, financial and support agencies in the communities which serve Indigenous people.
8. Ability to be self-directed
9. Demonstrated skills in the use of common computer software packages such as MS Office, Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
10. Demonstrates valuing diversity.