Indigenous Support Specialist

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 the normal course employees will be hired transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

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.

Job Summary
The Indigenous Support Specialist provides leadership in the development of organizational change
strategies and the implementation of initiatives that represent Indigenous perspectives in sexual
violence response and prevention programs. The incumbent works from a culturally-based
trauma-informed perspective to empower survivors of sexual violence by reducing the impact of
trauma and secondary victimization through the coordination of support and accommodations
with key campus and community stakeholders. Additionally this position will identify and foster
relationships with key partners including Indigenous communities organizations and other
institutions.

Organizational Status
The Indigenous Support Specialist reports to the Director Sexual Violence Prevention & Response
Office and works collaboratively as a member of a team of professionals. The position plays an
integral role in crisis intervention support and case management for the UBC Community
members who have experienced sexual violence and participates in the development and
implementation of initiatives that support Indigenous survivors accessing UBCs Sexual
Misconduct Policy SC17.

Work Performed

Response

• Provides crisis intervention risk assessment safety planning advocacy and ongoing support in accordance with various Indigenous cultural practices and traditions as appropriate to the client and promotes cultural safety for Indigenous survivors of sexual violence.

• Prioritizes service to self-identifying Indigenous survivors of sexual violence and has the flexibility to serve non-Indigenous survivors of sexual violence when capacity permits.

• In consultation with key campus and community stakeholders; identifies accesses and coordinates appropriate academic and non-academic accommodations for survivors of sexual violence.

• Provides information assistance and accompaniment for clients. This may include the hospital police court the Investigations Office and other campus or local resources as identified.

• Consults and collaborates with Indigenous units and stakeholders such as the Indigenous Strategic Plan Implementation Committee (ISPIC) and the Indigenous Working Group.

• Facilitates and participates in case management meetings.

• Provides additional support and guidance to the university staff advisors and/or faculty involved in the case as required.

• Partners with key campus and community stakeholders to develop and implement referral and intervention protocols that; i. Expedite access to support and accommodations ii. Facilitate the continuity and coordination of care and iii. Address systemic barriers in order to increase safety and support.

• Provides information about relevant policies and procedures including UBC Policy SC 17 Sexual Misconduct and Sexualized Violence Policy SC 7 Discrimination Policy SC 13 Response to At-Risk Behaviour and Policy SC 18 Retaliation Safe Disclosure and Reporting.

• Provides information about and assistance with reporting investigations and alternative dispute resolution processes as well as clarifies the differences between criminal process and UBCs investigatory process.

• Responds to allegations regarding acts of retaliation relating to a Disclosure Report or Investigation of sexual violence and provides information about assistance with and referral to the appropriate faculty staff or student disciplinary process.

• Manages accurate case records and prepares supporting documentation and reports as required.

• Interprets university policy regarding sexual violence and misconduct identifies areas for improvement makes recommendations for change and participates in review and revision of systems and protocols as appropriate.

• Participates in on-going evaluations of relevant policies programs and services and
  recommends improvements.

• Works with Indigenous Educator and key stakeholders across campus to provide departmental and individual consultation on issues related to the person who experienced harm individuals who have caused harm sexual assault policy/procedures and best practices for supporting Indigenous survivors of sexual assault.

• Coordinates and/or collaborates on programs projects and special events related to sexual violence response and prevention. Performs other duties consistent with the position.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Exercise professional judgement in the provision of sexual violence response services and
prevention education and acts as a cooperative team member of the Sexual Violence
Prevention and Response Office. Failure to meet the expectations of the job may create severe
hardship for prospective and current students faculty staff and visitors to UBC and/or severe
public relations or legal difficulties to the university.

Supervision Received
Works independently within established case management practice guidelines University policy
and procedures and relevant Federal and Provincial legislation. Works within a model of
collegial consultation and collaboration under the direction of the Director Sexual Violence
Prevention and Response Office.

Supervision Given
May supervise practicum students student employees and volunteers.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of five years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline such as Social Work Psychology Sociology Indigenous Studies Gender Studies. Masters degree preferred.

• Excellent working knowledge of the varied Indigenous cultural beliefs and practices pertaining to provision of trauma-informed support to survivors of sexual violence.

• Excellent working knowledge of Indigenous-specific health resources and the ability to facilitate timely referral and access for survivors.

• Excellent working knowledge and experience working with diverse or marginalized populations recognizing the diversity of survivor experience due to sexual identity gender identity gender expression radicalization age family status religion faith ability disability national or ethnic origin Indigeneity immigration status socioeconomic status class and language.

• Excellent working knowledge of relevant legislation protocols and best practices.

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills with diverse stakeholders to achieve common goals.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to plan ahead direct the work of others and ensure deadlines are met.

• Ability to take direction lead others and to function as an effective team member.

• Ability to manage projects and multi-task while paying attention to details.

• Excellent computer skills including working knowledge of MS Office Outlook Word Excel PowerPoint.

• Group facilitation knowledge design skills and experience an asset.