Coordinator, Pathways Trades/Access and Inclusion

Duties:

Reporting to the Dean of the Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation (FACP), the Pathways Trades/Access and Inclusion Coordinator serves as a member of the Pathways team within the Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation and the larger Vancouver Island University community. Pathways is an externally funded program that helps students transition from developmental studies (ABE/ELL) into university programs in high-demand career fields. There are multiple streams of Pathways, encompassing a variety of academic, health and trades focussed programs, each with its own resources.

Building upon previous Pathways initiatives seeking to make learning visible and relevant at every stage of study, the Coordinator will be responsible for working with VIU stakeholders, community partners, First Nations and students in each of VIU's campus regions to enact cohort-based pilot program deliveries within the current academic year.

The Coordinator will focus on program design, curriculum development, scheduling and support that decreases barriers to Post-Secondary success and increases access and inclusion within the Pathways framework. They will also recruit, screen, and track students' progress in cohort-based programs, including through creation of Individual Education Plans and support through the application process, with scheduled office hours, phone, e-mail contact, and regular check-in meetings. They will contribute to Pathways team marketing, reporting and budget activities. The incumbent must be comfortable facilitating interactions both in person in areas where programs are being delivered and using online meeting platforms (particularly MS Teams). Confidence with Outlook and other MS office tools, as well as using shared drives, is required.

The Coordinator will ensure students with individual learning challenges, diverse cultural and varied educational backgrounds are welcomed and supported in the Program. They will have a strong knowledge of adult education practices, trauma informed pedagogy, Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and a willingness and demonstrated ability to mentor team members and students collaboratively with community partners. Familiarity with VIU programs is essential.

For the complete list of duties, please see the key responsibilities document.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in a relevant field from an appropriately accredited institution.
• Experience working in one or more VIU programs.
• Experience in program coordination.
• Proven experience building relationships with other departments and employees and knowledge and/or experience in ABE and ELL programs and courses.
• Proven experience building respectful reciprocal relationships with community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to develop responsive curriculum with well defined learning outcomes and associated resources.
• Proven experience developing and delivering workshops, presentations, and activities.
• Ability to plan, assess, and evaluate programs.
• Ability to provide leadership and guidance to administrative support staff and students.
• Strong sense of empathy and ability to connect with diverse individuals.
• Experience in trauma informed pedagogy.
• Responsiveness to unexpected and rapid changes in environment and student base.
• Ability to adapt program structures rapidly.
• Demonstrated high level of oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to take initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and operate within strict financial conditions.
• Computer proficiency is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• In-depth understanding of equity, reconciliation, diversity, and inclusion issues with particular appreciation of the issues faced by women, gender and sex minorities, Indigenous people and people of colour.
• Experience working with newcomer populations and their supporting organizations.

VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note: 

• Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.
• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students.  In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences.  We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter.  When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity.  Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.