Job Description

Interested in a career at Langara College?

Our employees exemplify Langara's values ofexcellence, collegiality, innovation and integrity. If you think this position fits your qualifications, we encourage you to apply!

Langara College is located in Vancouver, B.C.: applicants to postings must be located in BC or willing to move to BC to accept work with Langara College. Exceptions to this will be clearly outlined in the event Langara College requires work (or positions to be based) to be performed outside BC or Canada.

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Job Title:

Indigenous Student Support Specialist

Employee Group:

Administrator

Employee Type:

Permanent

Start Date:

Tuesday, September 8 2026

End Date (if applicable):

The Indigenous Student Services Specialist reports to the Associate Director of Indigenous Engagement and Initiatives. The Indigenous Student Services Specialist is a foundational role within the Indigenous Engagment and Initiatives (IEI) team. Overall leadership of IEI is the responsibility of the Executive Director.

The Specialist works with their leader to establish a proactive and integrated system of student services that supports Indigenous students throughout their studies at the college, improves the overall quality of the Indigenous student experience, and creates systemic change within the Institution. The Specialist is responsible for overseeing a portfolio of programs, services, events, and projects that further these priorities. The Specialist works in close collaboration within IEI, the Indigenous Gathering Place, student services, academic programs, and colleagues across the institution, to accomplish this.

The Specialists support programming, policy development, events, and projects that further the college’s strategic Indigenization priorities and Langara’s Strategic Framework.

The Specialist provides general advising support to Indigenous students.

General Advising:

• Provides general academic advising regarding academic programs and credentials at the college in one-on-one advising, group advising, within presentations and remotely.
• Provides advising on student life, support services, and opportunities within and outside of the classroom.
• Applies knowledge of internal and external bursaries, scholarships, and awards; refers to and liaises with Financial Aid to provide financial literacy workshops.
• Provides strategic referrals to centralized and faculty-based student services,
• Works with and refers students to Counselling Services, Student Health Services, and Accessibility Services to support student wellness.
• Supports students with advocacy and systems navigation within the college.

Programming:

The Specialist is responsible for a portfolio of programming, policy development, services, and events to improve Indigenous student transition, retention, and experiences at the college. Areas of focus may include:

• Creates and implements a data informed student recruitment and orientation strategy that supports first-year students in making a successful transition to the college and beyond.
• Oversees the transfer agreements that Langara shares with UBC and SFU, which provide Indigenous students with a pathway from Langara to a university degree at either institution.
• Assists in the creation of community within the Gathering Place, which is based upon the principles of safety, care and support, and respects and honours the cultural diversity of Indigenous peoples, and the different ways of knowing, being and doing.
• Develops student success and leadership programming that is created in close collaboration with students, staff, faculty, knowledge keepers, and elders.
• Establishes a student wellness strategy and programming that supports a multi-dimensional approach to Indigenous student health and wellbeing.
• Works in close collaboration with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to develop cultural supports and programming within the Gathering Place and across campus. Programming includes, but is not limited to, Elders services, Knowledge Keeper teachings, and ceremony.
• Oversees communications for the IES team, including managing the Gathering Place’s email list serves, social media, print collateral, signage, and other communication channels and initiatives.
• Works in partnership with campus partners to improve communication and engagement with Indigenous sponsors and other community stakeholders.
• Works in close collaboration with college partners to improve Indigenous student data, reporting and utilization within IEI and across the college.
• Under the direction of the Associate and Executive Directors identifies programming, services or events that support Indigenous student success, retention, and student experience at the college.

Events:

• In collaboration with partners across the college, participates in the planning the Annual Indigenous Graduation Celebration, National Indigenous Peoples Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and other Indigenous events on campus.

Strategic Priorities:

• Undertakes work and projects to implement the colleges’ Indigenous Strategic Plan and strategic priorities of Decolonization and Indigenization, Truth and Reconciliation, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Policy Development:

• Revises, develops, and implements College Policies, and educational initiatives, with respect to advancing the Indigenization Strategy through effective partnerships and programs.
• Represents IES on college committees, and projects that support the interests of Indigenous students and the department.

• Other:

• Administrative tasks as required and all other assigned duties.

Indigenous Engagement and Initiatives and Indigenous Gathering Place:

IEI and the Indigenous Gathering Space is located within the Associate Vice President Students portfolio. IEI is physically located within the Indigenous Gathering Place (IGP) and oversees it. IEI is dedicated to empowering Indigenous people through education and culture, and to lead Indigenization at the College. The IGP is a safe, welcoming, supportive, and protected space for Indigenous students on-campus. It also acts as a hub for centralized student services to connect with and support Indigenous students.

The IEI and Gathering Place teams are founded upon teamwork, honesty, and integrity. Team members are Indigenous student services professionals who are dedicated to empowering Indigenous peoples, families, and communities through post-secondary education. IES team members work in close collaboration with colleagues across the college in the spirit of collegiality. IES recognizes and honours the cultural diversity of Indigenous peoples, including gender and sexual diversity, and values the different ways of knowing, being and doing Indigenous. Following the traditional teachings, the team takes a culturally grounded, community-based approach to our work.

Qualifications Required:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline such as First Nations and Indigenous Studies.
• Minimum five (5) years of recent related experience, preferably in a post-secondary environment. Recent, related experience must include a) researching & developing policies advancing Indigenization strategy; b) creating and implementing a student recruitment and orientation strategy to support a successful transition to Langara; and c) developing student success and leadership programming with close collaboration with stakeholders.
• As an Indigenous student services, applicants must have a detailed understanding of the cultures and histories of Indigenous peoples of British Columbia.
• Applicants must have detailed understanding of the systemic issues and barriers discouraging Indigenous students from pursuing and completing a post-secondary education.
• IEI is a culturally grounded support service. Applicants must have experience living and working within Indigenous communities and have a good understanding of Indigenous cultural values, practices, protocols, and ceremony. Land based experiences and knowledge is considered an asset. Experience working with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers is also considered an asset.
• Experience managing multiple projects, leading and implementing change resulting in improvements to service quality, staff productivity and systems efficiency.
• Understanding of the Canadian post-secondary system, strategic enrolment management concepts and academic policies and processes that contribute to a quality post-secondary experience.
• Applicants must be willing and able to complete Canadian Red Cross Standard First Aid, CPR and AED training, Mental Health First Aid, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Safe Talk, Violent Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA), Positive Space, Naloxone, and other training programs and courses that support the creation of a safe and caring space within the Gathering Place for Indigenous students.
• An equivalent combination of work experience and education may be considered.

Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, professional boundaries, exercise initiative, discretionary judgment, and act with tact, diplomacy and integrity.
• Ability to effectively engage with students of diverse ages and backgrounds and support them during high stress situations.
• Intercultural and interpersonal skills to navigate sensitive topics and situations.
• Demonstrated understanding of the principle of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
• Proficient in the use of student information management systems and standard office applications.
• Prior training in trauma-informed practices; and/or engaging with individuals in distress.
• Ability to mediate conflicts and facilitate resolutions.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office (including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Forms, and SharePoint), Zoom, email marketing.
• A good understanding of social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms are used for student communications.

Additional Info:

Leadership Competencies

• Solution orientation – Makes timely decisions and advances solutions that are in the best interest of the College and our students.

• Accountability – Fosters and demonstrates a culture of accountability and ownership.

• Relationship intelligence – Demonstrates emotional maturity and operates respectfully in all situations and dynamics.

• Conflict resolution – Acts with courage to take on the tough issues and conversations.

• Mobilization of people – Empowers others to be engaged, motivated and resilient through change.

• Vision and strategic thinking – Energizes people around the vision and supports team alignment with the strategic plan.

• Continuous learning – Cultivates a growth mindset and provides opportunities for development.

• Communication – Uses personal interaction, transparency, and language to effectively build trust and commitment.

Indigenous Self-identification:

This position is dedicated to supporting Indigenous students. The successful candidate for this position will be a candidate who is Indigenous, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples of Canada. We encourage all well qualified Indigenous applicants to self-identify as First Nations, Metis or Inuit when applying for this position. We will ask applicants to provide documentation in support of their self-identification. Documentation can include, but is not limited to, Certificates of Indian Status, Métis Citizenship Cards, and Inuit beneficiary cards or documents. Community reference letters from a recognized leader or organization may also be accepted. If you have any questions, please contact Graeme Joseph, Executive Director of Indigenous Education and Services.

Why Join Langara?

At Langara College, we support the College’s vision of promoting wellness and fostering personal and professional growth for our employees. We are dedicated to embracing, honouring, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, while offering a competitive and inclusive benefits package that reflects our commitment to overall health, financial security, and work-life balance.

** Eligibility and entitlements may vary based on the employment group, and if the position is temporary, part-time, or casual **

We offer the following benefits:

• Extensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Hybrid-work program for eligible positions

• Generous vacation package plus paid time off during college winter closure (1 week in December)

• Employer paid defined benefit pension plan

• Potential eligibility for educational, training, and developmental programs

• Access to on-site daycare subject to availability

• Tuition waivers for courses at Langara College, subject to space availability

• Course/program tuition reimbursements

• Wellness classes and campus engagement events

Salary Range:

$41.77 - $61.26 per hour

Pay Grade:

Admin Paygrade 08

Compensation beyond the mid-point requires approval by the Public Sector Employers’ Council Secretariat (PSEC).

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

35

Hours may vary according to the needs of the department.

Closing Date:

Wednesday, August 19 2026

People and Culture is committed to embracing, honoring, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace. We remain dedicated to focusing our efforts on creating an inclusive employee community that fosters a sense of safety and belonging for everyone. We humbly acknowledge that we are just beginning our journey, which includes engaging in our own internal learning and creating a data-driven action plan that supports the integration of EDI practice into the work of People and Culture and the work we do with employees and leaders. Langara College welcomes applications from everyone including people from groups that are experiencing inequity including, but not limited to, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. If there are any barriers that you are experiencing or an accommodation that we can provide to support you through the application process, please contact us.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to provide proof of educational and professional credentials noted on their resume. In addition, those shortlisted with international credentials must have their education credentials evaluated through WES (World Education Services) and provide Langara College, People & Culture document evaluation access for employment purposes.

We thank you for your interest in Langara College and for taking the time to complete an application. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Please be advised that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted due to the number of applications received.

Langara is committed to enhancing our diverse workforce.