Cultural Support Worker

Company: Six Nations Polytechnic

Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) is a unique Indigenous Institute, recognized by community, government, and institutions of higher learning, as a Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Knowledge. SNP offers postsecondary, secondary, trades education and training. SNP has formal partnerships with nine publicly funded Ontario Universities and Colleges and collaborates with six Ontario-based Indigenous owned and controlled post-secondary Institutes.

For more information, visit www.snpolytechnic.com

Function & Overview

Reporting to the Manager of Student Affairs, the Cultural Support Worker will serve all post-secondary and trades students at Six Nations Polytechnic. The objective of the role is to assist and improve the mental health, well-being, and achievement of students by providing cultural supports and educational resources.  This position will also work in collaboration with Student Success Officers and Accessibility Navigator in the development and implementation of diverse Mental Health strategies across the organization. The Cultural Support Worker will support guided group discussions, individual support, and assist the Student Affairs team with events. This role will also function as a liaison to other community supports and resources. The Cultural Support Worker is required to perform all duties consistent with the governance values and operating policies of Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) while fostering positive relations with staff, students, stakeholders, and the community; contributing to a culturally supportive teaching, learning and work environment consistent with Hodinǫshǫ:nih/Rotinonhson:ni values of Ga’nigohi:yo:/Kanikoriio (Respect and the Good Mind).

Duties

The duties of the Cultural Support Worker include, without limitation:

Technical Functions

• Ensuring cultural support services are delivered with excellence and informed by Hodinǫshǫ:nih/ Rotinonhson:ni values of Ga’nigohi:yo:/Kanikoriio (Respect and the Good Mind);
• Providing cultural supports to post-secondary and trades students such as wellness workshops, cultural teachings, etc.;
• Creating cultural awareness opportunities for all students;
• Working collaboratively with community members, Knowledge Guardians, and elders to create and deliver knowledge workshops;
• Responding to the need and demand for culturally specific student wellness programs and activities;
• Planning, organizing, and coordinating cultural workshops, programming and activities, teachings and practices for students as required;
• Assisting in the delivery of Student Affairs events;
• Utilizing rich language resources in the development, planning and implementation of mental health and student wellbeing activities;
• Mobilizing cultural knowledge to SNP students;

Supports & Referrals

• Engaging in problem solving to work through ethical dilemmas;
• Coordinating and/or facilitating conflict resolution sessions;
• Consulting with others regarding how to manage difficult or disruptive behaviours;
• Referring students to the appropriate in-house service (i.e. Student Support Officer, Accessibility Navigator);
• Making referrals to academic supports, community supports, & counselling services;
• Nurturing, supporting, and encouraging clients to develop self-care while finding a balance between multiple demands;

Administrative

• Working collaboratively with the Mental Wellness Committee to ensure a consistently unified and culturally safe organizational development and design;
• Reviewing, assessing, and recommending changes to enhance the effectiveness of service delivery models;
• Maintaining and safeguarding the confidentiality of client records; and
• Assisting in the development of student surveys.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Undergraduate degree or diploma in a related discipline (e.g., Education, Social Services, Environmental Science, Indigenous Studies, etc.) is preferred;
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a similar role of a team-oriented environment;
• Experience in trauma informed care, Indigenous healing/helping methods and their practical application will be considered an asset;
• Experience working with individuals requiring additional supports from a diverse ethno-cultural background; and
• Established connections and networks within local Indigenous communities will be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• A general and current knowledge of Hodinǫshǫ:nih history, culture, values, contemporary issues, community priorities, and stakeholders;
• Excellent communication skills with an emphasis on written expression (i.e., faultless spelling and grammar, and professional style);
• Sound interpersonal skills including communication, organization, negotiation, and professional judgement;
• Ability to work under pressure and manage schedules, portfolios, and timelines, to meet demanding deadlines;
• Capacity to work both independently and in a team setting, demonstrating Hodinǫshǫ:nih/ Rotinonhson:ni values of Ga’nigohi:yo:/Kanikoriio (Respect and the Good Mind);
• Knowledge of Haudenosaunee communities;
• Knowledge of Indigenous traditional teachings, cultures, perspectives, values, and history;
• Passion for, and experience with the preservation and revitalization of local Indigenous languages; and
• Demonstrated familiarity with standard desktop computing programs, including spreadsheets, word processing, and database applications, on the Windows 2010 (or later) operating system.

At Six Nations Polytechnic, we are committed to diversity and inclusion as we continue and expand our efforts to become a more inclusive, safe and respectful workplace. Human Resources will accommodate any needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Recruitment processes will be modified to remove barriers to accommodate those with disabilities, as may be requested.

Applicants from Six Nations and other Indigenous communities will be given preference to deliver programs and services in a First Nations community.

Application deadline: Until filled

Job Type: Contract until March 2025

Schedule: 37.5 hours/week

• • 7.5 hour shifts
  • Monday to Friday