Program Coordinator, STEM Indigenous Academics

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

Reporting to the Director of Indigenous Futures in Engineering, the Program Coordinator, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Indigenous Academics has a primary focus on introducing new Indigenous STEM degree students to campus life at Queen’s University and facilitating successful transitions into and throughout their university experience. The Program Coordinator works as part of a team of professional and student staff from the faculties of Arts and Science, Health Sciences, and Engineering and Applied Science, alongside the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre, to design, deliver, and evaluate a range of educational interventions, orientation and transition programs, and specialized services for Indigenous undergraduate STEM degree students at Queen’s. Using current research and best practices, the Coordinator is responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services related to first-year student orientation, as well as social, cultural, and academic transition programs and opportunities to support student development, wellness, retention, and success.

The schedule for this position requires the incumbent to work outside normal business hours such as evenings and/or weekends and occasionally travel overnight when conferences and other special events are outside Kingston, adjusting weekly work hours to meet program needs.

In order to address the unique needs and concerns of Indigenous students, this opportunity is open only to qualified individuals who are able to verify their own Indigenous citizenship in accordance with the university’s Interim Policy on Hiring of Indigenous Specific Positions.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

First-Year Student Orientation and Transition
• Engage with prospective students from STEM degree programs throughout the admissions conversion process.
• Develop and execute a communication strategy to all incoming Indigenous STEM students and stakeholders about orientation programming, including management of websites related to the program.
• Ensure all programming is inclusive and accessible, meeting the diverse needs of students.
• Apply principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in all programming to build more inclusive environments for target students.
• Coordinate the planning and execution of new and first-year student orientation programs for incoming students and their family members, ensuring collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including the three STEM faculties, Student Affairs departments, Residence Life, Orientation Roundtable, and other campus and community partners.
• Coordinate logistics of Orientation events, including scheduling, securing venues/event sites, ordering food and transportation, coordinating campus partner and external speaker arrangements, and A/V and equipment.
• Conduct risk assessments, file OCASP plans, and develop contingency plans.
• Develop and deliver information sessions for parents and family members.
• Evaluate training and programming; make recommendations for improvements to the Director

Student Academic Development Services
• Coordinate and administer the tutoring program, course review sessions, conference planning, student travel, and Research Experience Program.
• Plan and manage the logistics of events, workshops, and training programs including virtual and in-person formats. Attend or facilitate events and sessions as appropriate.
• Serve as the primary contact for students, faculty, and staff with questions about events and programming.
• Assess program effectiveness using established metrics and provide recommendations for improvements.
• Support promotional and marketing efforts, including designing print and electronic communications (e.g., posters, website, social media, brochures, handouts).
• Acts as a contact for students, faculty, and staff who have questions about events and programming.
• Conducts event and programming assessment, providing recommendations for methods to employ in analysis.

Collaboration and Community Engagement
• Build and maintain relationships with campus and community partners to enhance orientation and transition programming
• Maintain active visibility and engagement with the Indigenous STEM student population.
• Collaborate with Indigenous student services, STEM-based faculty student services, and other student-focused departments to ensure effective communication and partnership

Departmental and Administrative Duties
• Provide work direction for student staff, including tutors: draft contracts, establish priorities, schedule if necessary, and define roles.
• Assist with recruiting, hiring, and training student staff and unpaid student leaders, in collaboration with other on-campus units and colleagues as required.
• Prepares reporting as required, in consultation with the Director InEng, including annual work plans.
• Represents the program, as delegated by the Director InEng, on relevant committees and working groups.
• Develop and tracks annual program budget(s) under the guidance of Director InEng.
• Maintain current knowledge of best practices, theories and research in student development and participate in relevant professional associations and conferences.
• Other duties as identified by the Director in support of the department.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Must have Indigenous ancestry and demonstrated connection with an Indigenous community and other Indigenous networks. Applicants are required to provide information to verify their Indigenous identity and will be expected to elaborate on the written information if invited to an interview.
• University degree in a relevant discipline.
• Several years (3+) of related experience.
• Experience in event planning/coordination, project management and/or program leadership.
• Experience in leadership development, planning and implementing educational programs, volunteer programs or similar activities.
• Experience in workshop design, delivery and evaluation, preferably in a post-secondary setting.
• Experience in advising, coaching and/or educating young adults or post-secondary students.
• Training and experience in volunteer management an asset.
• Satisfactory Criminal Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening required.
• Knowledge of Queen’s University and the opportunities available to its students is an asset.

SPECIAL SKILLS:
• Interest and demonstrated skills in program development, evaluation and enhancement.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including assertion and tact. Ability to use these skills and cross cultural sensitivity in working with students, staff, faculty and community partners throughout all stages of the program.
• Demonstrated group presentation skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize and respond to diverse students, issues and needs (e.g. across social identities, levels of ability and learning styles); commitment to intercultural development.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, and to respond professionally to difficulties, knowing when to consult with others.
• Excellent computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, and other software application programs, with the ability to adapt to emerging technologies.

DECISION MAKING:
• Ability to distinguish between circumstances in which decisions can be made independently and those where consultation is needed.
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills to allow the assessment of needs, available resources and capabilities to resolve issues.
• Determine, in consultation with others, the best strategies for promotion of the programs and recruitment of participants.
• Contribute to determining the most effective ways to design, deliver, and present programs.
• In consultation with the Director, make decisions regarding student employee recruitment, training, assessment and evaluation of performance.
• Contribute to decisions about establishing priorities, setting goals, long-term planning and program development.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at hradmin@queensu.ca.