COVID 19 On-Campus Requirements

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1, 2022, but the University may reinstate them at any point.

About Queen's University

Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

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Job Summary

Situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Territory, Queen’s is a leading Canadian university with a long-standing reputation for academic and research excellence, as well as a diverse and vibrant learning environment. Queen’s Health Sciences (QHS), in partnership with the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA), is co-developing a program for training health professionals living along the western James Bay coast. The Queen’s Weeneebayko Health Education Program marks a new approach to educating and supporting Indigenous youth to pursue careers in healthcare and provides a unique model for transforming Indigenous health across Canada.

Reporting to the Associate Dean, Indigenous Health, the Indigenous Recruitment and Student Advisor is responsible for the development and implementation of initiatives that will increase both enrolment of and support to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis (Indigenous) students within Health Sciences Academic and Professional Programs. The Advisor will a special focus on supporting Indigenous youth in the WAHA communities and the nearby James Bay coast to access health sciences education. The Indigenous Recruitment and Student Advisor will liaise closely with Faculty leads in the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing and the School of Rehabilitation Therapy, admissions personnel, Office of Equity and Social Accountability, and the Office of Indigenous Initiatives to fulfill program-specific recruiting objectives and to ensure culturally relevant supports are accessible to Indigenous students.

The Indigenous Recruitment and Student Advisor also acts as primary resource person to Indigenous students in the Faculty to support the academic success, wellness, and retention of Indigenous students. It is expected that the Advisor collaborates with the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre to provide culturally relevant, responsive, holistic student support services to Indigenous students which includes the provision of academic advising, career counseling, and personal support services (e.g. study skills, finances, career goals, housing, etc.). The Advisor will implement, and support university wide strategies and programs in support of Indigenous students and provide information about relevant resources available at Queen’s and in the local community. The Advisor will work collaboratively with the WAHA-Queen's Project Team to facilitate recruitment to the new campus.

The schedule for this position requires the incumbent to regularly travel within Ontario, occasionally across Canada, and to occasionally work variable hours including evenings and weekends. It is expected that travel to Moosonee and surrounding James Bay coast communities will also be required.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Indigenous Recruitment:
• Develops and implements targeted outreach and recruitment plans that aim to increase enrollment of Indigenous students in FHS academic and health professions programs, as guided by Associate Dean Indigenous Health and other relevant faculty leads.
• Represents the Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Rehabilitation Therapy and meets with representatives from Indigenous Student Services and related programs at high schools and universities throughout Ontario, including the James Bay Region.
• Supports the Queen’s-WAHA partnership by assisting youth in the WAHA communities and the nearby James Bay coast to access health sciences education.
• Delivers interactive information sessions with students, guidance counselors, and Indigenous Education Counsellors on Queen’s Health Sciences programs, admissions requirements, and student support services.
• Liaises with self-identified Indigenous high school students interested in enrolling in FHS academic and health professions programs, providing guidance and support in their academic transition to Queen’s.
• Liaises with self-identified Indigenous university students interested in a second-entry academic and health professions program within Queen’s Health Sciences determines required support for individual and professional program objectives.
• Collaborates with key persons in Queen’s Health Sciences to identify, develop, implement, and coordinate transitional access strategies to increase Indigenous student applications, admissions, and acceptances into respective academic programs.
• Creates and maintains up to date records of all contacts made regarding designated professional programs at Queen’s and follows up accordingly. Provides regular reports pertaining to transitional access activities for all Schools of interest.
• Advises on Indigenous student support initiatives and improvements to the QHS
• Partners with recruitment staff of Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre, the Queen’s Indigenous Community Outreach Coordinator, and the Office of Indigenous Initiatives to coordinate communications with prospective Indigenous students.
• Serves on committees and teams in support of QHS’ goals with respect to Indigenous student recruitment and support.
• Undertakes other duties as required, in support of program functions and goals in support of Indigenous students.

Student Support:
• Provides expert support and guidance to Indigenous students helping them to develop a holistic view of academic, personal, financial, and career goals to balance academic, professional, social, and personal demands.
• Collaborates with campus partners to refer students as needed to professional services, including Student Awards, Student Wellness Services, and other on campus and community resources.
• Assists students requiring guidance on university degree and program requirements and help students in contacting the appropriate academic advisor to ensure they meet degree requirements and selected program prerequisites.
• Works closely with Indigenous student leaders and relevant university stakeholders to assess and provide advice on student wellness, leadership, and academic support programs on campus. Acknowledge diverse ideas and interests to develop, implement, and evaluate services and programs organization wide in support of Indigenous students.
• Assists with the planning and execution of events and programming designed to improve the Indigenous student experience and assist with the cultural and academic transition to Queen’s.
• Advocates for/with Indigenous students as required to provide appropriate academic accommodations. Provide consultation/advice to members of faculty and staff on issues of concern regarding Indigenous student cultural transition issues related to performance or behaviour.
• Assists in scholarship exploration for Indigenous students by creating and maintaining a current database of resources.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Indigenous ancestry and demonstrated connection with an Indigenous community and other Indigenous networks.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Indigenous histories, cultures, communities, customs, practices, and communication styles required. Demonstrated knowledge of an Indigenous language spoken by First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis Peoples would be considered an asset.
• University degree combined with a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience.
• Knowledge of the medical, nursing, physical therapy and occupational therapy professions and courses of study, admission requirements, and general structure and function of universities preferred. Demonstrated understanding of admissions processes for health professions programs would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the Moosonee and James Bay Coast area.
• Experience in counseling/advising/supporting Indigenous students.
• Familiarity with university life and activities and knowledge of university policies and priorities would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the needs and experiences of Indigenous students, with specific understanding of the complexity of cultural adjustment processes for Indigenous students entering university.
• Previous leadership experience, preferably within the Indigenous community.
• Valid Province of Ontario Class G driver’s licence required.
• Satisfactory Criminal Records Check (‘CPIC’) with Vulnerable Sector Screening required.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
• Keen understanding of the Indigenous student experience, communities and organizations.
• Ability to articulate an Indigenous worldview within a post-secondary educational context.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to empathize and communicate effectively with Indigenous clients and the Queen’s University community
• Proven judgement and discretion in dealing with confidential and sensitive matters.
• Awareness of, and sensitivity to, equity issues.
• Able to work independently to organize, plan, and self-initiate both long-term and short-term goals.
• Ability to analyze data and provide statistical reports on activities.
• Ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively within a small group setting.
• Excellent organizational skills including attention to detail, time management, and the ability to set and balance evolving priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public presentation ability.
• Strong relationship-building skills combined with an ability to develop and proactively use networks to build rapport and seek or provide help.
• Client service orientation to understand, interpret and respond to needs and expectations proactively.
• Strong computer and office skills.
• Professional and respectful of client confidentiality.

DECISION MAKING:
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean, Indigenous Health to identify, target, and build connections with potential partners in the high school, college, and university systems to support the transitional access initiative.
• Determine transitional access strategy in consultation with leadership in the Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Rehabilitation Therapy and recommend ways to enhance Indigenous enrollment to professional programs.
• Make decisions around the goals, targets and performance metrics for professional programs associated with Indigenous students.
• Identify and recommend potential high schools and universities of interest for Indigenous recruitment, collaborating with admissions staff across the Schools in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
• Determine the development, format, and content of communication tools regarding represented programs of study.
• Decide on the content and format of reports to provide analytical information pertaining to metrics for activities.
• Establish project plans in support of Indigenous students and identify actions required to achieve completion.
• Determine work plan and establish travel budget to fiscally support travel schedule.
• Understand when to refer a matter to Associate Dean, Indigenous Health or to others within the Faculty of Health Sciences.
• Assess urgency and complexity of student issues and needs, determining when to resolve issues and when to escalate issues to the appropriate university and community support services.
• Identify needs and provide recommendations regarding the development of specialized programs for Indigenous students.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant's accessibility needs. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at hradmin@queensu.ca.