ABOUT WESTERN

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the “Western Experience” - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

ABOUT US

The Wampum Learning Lodge falls under the umbrella of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, which is responsible for championing and supporting Indigenous initiatives and Truth and Reconciliation on campus through advice and counsel across a broad range of areas including student affairs, academic programs, workforce planning, space planning, policy and implementation, and training and development.

Through collaborative and community-engaged processes, the WLL will support the broader mandate of the OII, with special attention provided in the following areas:

• Provision of a home-place and programming supports for Indigenous initiatives at Western;
• Supporting and advancing Indigenous ways of knowing and Indigenous pedagogies through innovative and responsive decolonized and Indigenized programming;
• Provision of a touchstone for Indigenous peoples and communities to engage with Western through ongoing community engagement and knowledge mobilization activities; and
• Fostering a sense of community through convening and connecting people at Western to support the advancement of Indigenization, decolonization, and Reconciliation

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree or College Diploma in Management and Organization Studies, Business Administration, or related field; alternatively lifelong career experience equivalen

Experience:

• 1-3 years
• Administrative experience supporting in a complex office environment
• Experience supporting financial functions
• Experience building relationships with Indigenous communities and organization

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• Friendly, patient, and able to provide diplomatic support to those seeking support within WLL.
• Ability to work in a manner that models best practices in confidentiality standards
• Ability to apply creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness to daily work
• Ability to act on new information and effectively contribute meaningfully within a changing environment
• Familiarity with event management techniques and tolls and with project management methodologies
• Knowledge of Indigenous communities including First Nations’ governance structures and processes, and of Indigenous ways of knowing and perspectives
• Indigenous cultural competency with an ability to interact and work effectively with people from different cultures and backgrounds
• Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
• Commitment to ongoing professional development with a desire to take on new challenges
• Ability to remain highly motivated, resilient, innovative, and collaborative when faced with challenges
• Communication skills to clearly express ideas in an objective manner, write clearly, and adapt communication style to suit the situation and audience
• Self-directed, and comfortable exercising discretion and independent judgment in a fast-changing environment
• Ability to work within a flexible schedule to accommodate the university’s events and activities
• Ability to listen, inform, and direct students accordingly.
• Ability to work independently and maintain direction and focus through proactive planning and organized approaches to work
• Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite including Word and Excel
• Possess a reputation for resourcefulness with a strong sense of accountability and initiative
• Influential interpersonal skills that build positive and strong relationships at all levels of the organization
• Organization skills to manage multiple assignments that are accurate and thorough, sometimes of a complex nature or involving competing priorities
• Problem solving skills with a sense of urgency in resolving issues and getting tasks completed
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
• Familiarity with University policies and procedures is preferred

The Wampum Learning Lodge (WLL) fosters a thriving environment for all Western community members to support and further the work of Truth and Reconciliation. A culturally relevant space designed for and by Indigenous peoples, the WLL plays a critical role in enhancing Indigenous wholistic and strength-based approaches to learning and unlearning across the university and affiliates. This dynamic meeting, event and learning space adjacent to the Faculty of Education is also a hub for Indigenous community gatherings and cultural reclamation. The WLL Program and Administrative Assistant is a support to all WLL staff and everyone who accesses the services of the center. The Program and Administrative Assistant will support existing programming at the WLL, and is the first welcoming face everyone who walks through the door sees. Duties will include the provision of regular onsite administrative supports, up to 24 hours per week, while reporting to the Community Relations and Space Coordinator. Western, like many postsecondary institutions in Canada, is moving beyond the sole reliance upon Indigenous self-identification in hiring designated Indigenous roles to safeguard against use of incorrect, incomplete or misleading information regarding claims of Indigenous identity. Preference will be given to candidates whose claim to Indigenous identity (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Canada; and Global Indigenous peoples) has been affirmed through a relational accountability process, led by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII), that is consistent with Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. Please contact the OII directly for details on the affirmation processes.
The Program and Administrative Assistant will be flexible and responsive to the programming needs of WLL with duties to include: The position requires a flexible work schedule with evening and weekend hours
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- Coordinate booking and scheduling of spaces and services at the Wampum Learning Lodge
- Manage Wampum Learning Lodge email correspondence
- Responsible for administrative support: answering the main reception phone, greeting and directing students/guests
- Support the delivery of existing WLL/OII programing, including Craft Circle and other community engagement opportunities to be determined
- Acts as liaison for space during events
- Coordination of Visiting Elders and Elder In-Residence Programs including scheduling, payment and cost recovery
- Maintain and/or organize bulletin board, WLL Booking calendar, WLL printer, storage spaces, etc.
- Provides light WLL up-keep due to daily use, such as wiping of countertops, sweeping floors, and light dusting
- Other administrative tasks as required and requested by the Community and Space Coordinator
- The WLL Program and Administrative Assistant will report to the Community Relations and Space Coordinator primarily and as needed to the Vice-Provost, Vice-President, Indigenous Initiatives.
- The WLL Program and Administrative Assistant will work collaboratively with all OII (ISC & WLL) staff Indigenous Initiatives
Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree or College Diploma in Management and Organization Studies, Business Administration, or related field; alternatively lifelong career experience equivalent

Experience:

• 1-3 years
• Administrative experience supporting in a complex office environment
• Experience supporting financial functions
• Experience building relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• Friendly, patient, and able to provide diplomatic support to those seeking support within WLL.
• Ability to work in a manner that models best practices in confidentiality standards
• Ability to apply creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness to daily work
• Ability to act on new information and effectively contribute meaningfully within a changing environment
• Familiarity with event management techniques and tolls and with project management methodologies
• Knowledge of Indigenous communities including First Nations’ governance structures and processes, and of Indigenous ways of knowing and perspectives
• Indigenous cultural competency with an ability to interact and work effectively with people from different cultures and backgrounds
• Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
• Commitment to ongoing professional development with a desire to take on new challenges
• Ability to remain highly motivated, resilient, innovative, and collaborative when faced with challenges
• Communication skills to clearly express ideas in an objective manner, write clearly, and adapt communication style to suit the situation and audience
• Self-directed, and comfortable exercising discretion and independent judgment in a fast-changing environment
• Ability to work within a flexible schedule to accommodate the university’s events and activities
• Ability to listen, inform, and direct students accordingly.
• Ability to work independently and maintain direction and focus through proactive planning and organized approaches to work
• Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite including Word and Excel
• Possess a reputation for resourcefulness with a strong sense of accountability and initiative
• Influential interpersonal skills that build positive and strong relationships at all levels of the organization
• Organization skills to manage multiple assignments that are accurate and thorough, sometimes of a complex nature or involving competing priorities
• Problem solving skills with a sense of urgency in resolving issues and getting tasks completed
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
• Familiarity with University policies and procedures is preferred.