At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Position Description

The Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship (BILS) is Faculty of Forestry’s new four-year undergraduate degree. This interdisciplinary program is for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students interested in learning about Indigenous ways of knowing, ecology, law, governance, economics, communication, research, enhancing community capacity, and data and business management methods. Honouring and valuing the knowledge and experiences of Indigenous Peoples, students will also learn about Indigenous-led land healing and action-oriented reconciliation.

The BILS program will be delivered in a multi-access form whereby students in the program can attend courses in person at the Vancouver-Point Grey campus and online. Three BILS Learning Hubs will be developed in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, Okanagan, and Haida Gwaii regions of British Columbia to support students in the program when they are learning offsite and online.

The incumbent will be responsible for the establishment of BILS Learning Hubs in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, Okanagan, and Haida Gwaii regions, including the planning, development, and implementation of online and off-site courses. Additionally, the role will oversee recruitment and admission processes for BILS programs. This position will also create and coordinate marketing efforts, as well as engage in outreach activities to promote the ongoing growth and visibility of the program.

This position is primarily based in the Cariboo-Chilcotin (Williams Lake) region, with occasional collaboration with the Point Grey campus and travel to the Okanagan and Haida Gwaii regions to establish the BILS Learning Hubs

Compensation Range

$6,251.00 – $8,986.00 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Organizational Status

Works under the general direction of the Director, Student Services and Director, Indigenous and Intercultural Initiatives in the Faculty of Forestry. Works alongside the Program Manager, and in collaborative alliances across all levels of stakeholders, including faculty and staff, students, other UBC units, as well as external organizations (domestic & international).

Work Performed

Learning Hub Development

Leads the development and operation of BILS Learning Hubs in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, Okanagan, and Haida Gwaii regions. This includes engaging with Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments at all levels and stakeholders to obtain all approvals for and support for the creation of the BILS Learning Hubs.
Leads the day-to-day management of the Hubs, providing consulting services for members of BILS online teaching and learning community and external clients for integrating Indigenous content in courses, strategies and approaches.
Plans, develops, implements and manages online and BILS Learning Hub educational activities such as workshops, seminars, consultations, presentations and lectures, writing communication

Programming & Course Development

Develop and design resources and materials to support BILS online teaching delivery and services as well as self-study for faculty, staff and students by utilizing technologies, including wiki, Canvas and other online learning and evaluation platforms.
Designs and coordinates field experiences that support course learning objectives and program goals and coordinates program activities that are relevant to course topics and themes
Provides expert and advanced advice on technical problems with the learning management systems and other educational technologies (i.e. blogs, wikis, classroom response systems, etc.)
In conjunction with the Director, identifies opportunities for program and initiative development and expansion ensuring that opportunities align with BILS mission and values
Partners with instructors, the BILS team and other community members to ensure effective and efficient program delivery, working closely with the Program Director in developing course content (Yrs 1-4) for incoming cohort as well as an inventory of learning resources that are posted to Canvas LMS or public facing websites
Develops course evaluations and gathers feedback from Online Students to present qualitative and quantitative data annually to the BILS Council of Advisors, Program Director and Dean (“BILS annual review”).
Evaluates best delivery mechanisms for multi-access learning, e.g. in-person, video workshops, online courses or similar, and frequency based on a needs-assessment of stakeholders.
Leads and manages activities related to the semi-annual reporting to MasterCard Foundation on their gift to the BILS program;
Conduct needs assessments and consultations with Program Director and BILS Council of Advisors to develop, implement, and assess BILS online and resources
Responds to enquiries and concerns from online, multi-access and learning hub students
Identifies community educators that can speak to course topics and contribute meaningfully, ensuring diverse perspectives and values are represented
Oversees all BILS program and course activities, including leading the planning of and participating in student orientation and debrief sessions, and conducting mid-semester check-ins with individual students or small groups. Including organizing and communicating about guest lecture series, events, seminars, conferences, workshops and professional development opportunities for UBC faculty and staff

Outreach, Marketing & Promotion

Builds and maintains partnerships and relationships in and around the Cariboo-Chilcotin, Okanagan, and Haida Gwaii reaching out to local and community organizations, agencies, and individuals, for the purpose of recruiting and engaging community educators for appropriate program activities
Creates and implements communications and engagement strategies, including strategies to engage with community stakeholders to gain support and solicit input to improve the program(s), the BILS newsletter, and BILS messaging/stories for media outlets
Works closely with the BILS team, to determine and create content for website, leads website updates to course and program offerings and BILS information. Reviews website regularly to ensure accuracy and ease of use
Works closely with the Program Manager, Point Grey and UBC Faculty of Forestry Marketing team to create marketing, communication and promotional campaigns strategies, and to coordinate promotional campaigns for recruitment
Creates organized cyber impact mailing lists, determining categories based on email outreach activities and strategies for distributing BILS communications and promotions, such as local outreach lists, alumni outreach lists, Micro-Certificate professional executive level education outreach list, etc.

Student Advising & Support

Advises BILS and Indigenous online and off-campus students for needs assessments and wellness check-ins, related academic issues, and related volunteer, co-op, and employment opportunities.
Undertakes visits to BILS off-site learning hubs to support off-site students.
Assists/supports the development and updating of emergency planning, preparedness and response in accordance with provincial and municipal legislative and operational requirements and UBC policies and procedures
Participates in the development of BILS strategic plan, policies and processes, develops long-term goals and recommends new initiatives to support the strategic direction of the Indigenous Land Stewardship program
Performs other related duties in keeping with qualifications and requirements of the position

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Consequence of error is high. There is a high degree of interaction with others. Appropriate communication and attention to detail is critical.

Supervision Received

Reports to the Director, Student Services and Director, Indigenous and Intercultural Initiatives in the Faculty of Forestry. Works independently as well as in collaboration with Program Manager; and receives feedback and direction from the Director, Student Services and Director, Indigenous and Intercultural Initiatives in the Faculty of Forestry. Works closely with the BILS Program Director and Advisory Council, as well as committees for the adjudication and allocation of grants to students and BILS faculty, and the organization of the Annual Nation Building Conference. Work is reviewed against achievement of project objectives and in terms of quality and effectiveness in meeting educational goals.

Supervision Given

Supervises student staff within the BILS program and supervises undergraduate online and multi-access students as necessary.

Qualifications

Minimum

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
Minimum of four years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own.
Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, preferably with a primary focus in Indigenous Studies/Education; an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Masters degree in a relevant discipline, preferably with a primary focus in Indigenous Studies/Education; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
In-depth knowledge of Indigenous worldviews, pedagogy, cultural practices and protocols in both historical and modern contexts.
Knowledge and understanding of natural resource and Indigenous community issues in BC/Canada.
Strong professional working network within the community related to Indigenous natural resource stewardship in BC / Canada with a larger international community being an asset.
Demonstrated ability to achieve complex goals working within the Indigenous communities.
Experience in Indigenous education curriculum and pedagogical approaches
Demonstrated ability to conduct respectful consultation and collaboration with communities, including those in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, Okanagan, and Haida Gwaii.
Has experience working in cross-cultural and educational settings
Experience working with IBPOC communities, organizations and people
Familiarity with historical and contemporary Indigenous issues, particularly as they relate to post-secondary education
Demonstrated education and/or work background related to equity, diversity, decolonization, and/or inclusion policies, practices, and procedures.
Understanding of patterns of inequity in outcomes and how those connect to social and organizational structure and operational processes.
Experience in design, development and facilitation of processes and educational programs or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience in recruiting, advising, supporting, and mentoring Indigenous students.
Experience in developing projects involving infrastructure and coordination with various government and non-government organizations.
Demonstrated process design and facilitation skills.
Ability to work both independently and within a team environment.
Experience in facilitating group processes both face-to-face and online.
Experience in teaching face-to-face and using online and multimedia technologies.
Experience developing strategic engagement processes and developing strategic plans is an asset.
Effective oral and written communication; and, interpersonal, planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of University policies and procedures is an asset.
Experience teaching is an asset
Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to think strategically and exercise diplomacy, tact, and discretion.
Knowledge of the secondary and post-secondary education system in BC, including the relationship between colleges, Aboriginal institutions, technical institutes and universities.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders in cross-cultural settings.
Ability to maintain connection between a long-range vision and day-to-day functions.
Ability to manage a demanding workload by determining priorities, planning ahead and anticipating problems. Knowledge of cross-cultural adult education principles.
Familiarity with the University community, policies, and systems, is considered an asset
Ability to meet deadlines.
Both goal and process oriented.
Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office at an advanced level e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, videoconferencing applications e.g. Zoom and electronic surveys e.g. Qualtrics, Doodle.
Ability to create and accurately maintain digital records and filing systems.
Ability to take and transcribe accurate meeting minutes and produce action items.
Proficiency working with Project Management tools and applications e.g. Asana, Airtable, Trello.
The ideal candidate is a diplomatic multi-tasker with excellent judgment, broad communications skills, and is strategically minded.

How to Apply for this Online Program and Operations Manager Position

Interested applicants should apply via the UBC Careers website. The deadline for applications is January 6, 2025.

Apply on the UBC Careers website

Online Program and Operations Manager, BILS (Deadline: January 6, 2025)