Indigenous District Cultural Facilitator

Temporary position to June 30, 2025.

The Surrey School District respectfully acknowledges that our schools reside on the traditional, unceded, and shared territories of Coast Salish peoples: The q̓ ícə̓ y̓ - Katzie, the qʼwa:n̓ƛʼən̓ - Kwantlen and the SEMYOME - Semiahmoo First Nations, who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial.

Surrey Schools values an inclusive school district where equity is deeply embedded, and diversity welcomed. We acknowledge the profound responsibility we all have in ensuring that our schools and district sites foster an atmosphere where everyone feels secure, respected, and valued. Our commitment to providing a quality education extends beyond academic excellence; we are committed to creating and cultivating diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free environments for all applicants, employees, students, and their families. Our identity, as Surrey Schools, is expressed in the shared values of openness, fairness and tolerance and recognizes the importance of diversity of identity and thought. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

Surrey Schools, recipient of the BC Top Employers and Canada's Greenest Employer awards, is the largest school district in BC and the second largest employer in Surrey. Spread across one of the fastest-growing cities in British Columbia, Surrey Schools provides quality education to over 82,000 students with 124 schools sites and a variety of other learning facilities, offering a broad range of innovative programs and services to support the learning of our students. The Surrey School District team of approximately 13,000 employees works tirelessly every day to ensure that children are getting the best start they can, providing the preparation to be our leaders of tomorrow.

NATURE AND SCOPE OF WORK

The Indigenous District Cultural Facilitator develops and implements an Indigenous Cultural program to students and school staff that focuses on the Katzie, Semiahmoo, Metis and other Indigenous cultural groups. The Indigenous Cultural programs enhance the school-based curriculum and provide increased opportunities for Indigenous cultural awareness to the schools and local community. The Indigenous Facilitator works as a team with the classroom teacher and/or school staff in the delivery of the cultural program.

The Indigenous Services District Principal or designate supervises, provides direction and assigns all Indigenous Child/Youth Care Workers to schools. Site-based administrators provide direct supervision at the school.

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Improves student's basic knowledge of Katzie, Semiahmoo, Metis and other B. C Indigenous cultural groups, traditions, history, this may include designs, drawings, painting and carvings.
• Creates positive awareness and understandings about Katzie, Semiahmoo, Metis and other Indigenous cultural groups within the context of integrating Indigenous Traditions, History and Culture into the curriculum.
• Conveys knowledge and understanding of Indigenous Traditions, History and Culture to students, staff in K-12.
• Works closely with the classroom teacher and the school-based principal to support the implementation of the Indigenous Cultural Program for students.
• Liaises with the classroom based teacher for effective delivery of the program
• Facilitates and promotes Cultural awareness for other members of the school community and contributes actively to the building of an Indigenous presence in the schools.
• Encourages parent participation as learners and teachers of their child's Cultural heritage.
• Develops in consultation with teachers, strategies that will enhance the personal, social and Cultural development of students.
• Assists the school in using appropriate Indigenous community resources to enhance the Cultural program of the students.
• Liaises with and uses a network of Indigenous parents, First Nation bands, urban Indigenous organizations and other Indigenous resources to support the Indigenous Cultural Program.
• In consultation with the local community, Indigenous communities and parents assist and participates in the planning, organization, delivery of field studies, social events, sports and other activities that will enhance the Cultural program.
• Maintains files and records regarding services provided to students as requested by Indigenous Education Services.
• Provides leadership and demonstrates enthusiasm for working in a climate of change and growth.
• May assist student with the core curriculum at appropriate grade levels in context of traditions, history and culture.
• Collaborates with Indigenous district teams by providing support and guidance to Indigenous students.
• Performs related duties as required by Indigenous Services.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Knowledge of processes in acculturation
• Thorough knowledge of Indigenous traditions, history and culture and a sound understanding of challenges and strengths in these areas.
• Ability to assist with the bridging of cultures.
• Demonstrates knowledge of traditions history and culture of Indigenous people living on the Coast Salish territory.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing and if required, some proficiency in an Indigenous language.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individual from diverse cultures and communities
• Ability to assist professional educators with interpreting need where Indigenous are other cultural differences are a factor in the school.
• Ability to integrate, in consultation with teachers the Indigenous cultural program for K – 12.
• Ability to understand and work to enhance the core curriculum at the appropriate grade levels(s).
• Ability to adapt to changing situations and to develop and maintain positive rapport with students, staff, parents and the community.
• Knowledge of classroom management skills.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of Grade 12, plus an additional post-secondary program of up to one year in a First Nations field of study, such as anthropology, sociology, history and First Nations studies from a post-secondary institution recognized by the district.

Evidence of recent facilitation experience of at least one year, in Katzie, Semiahmoo, Metis or other Indigenous cultural group's traditions, history and culture that is in relation to primary, intermediate and secondary students.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND REGISTRATIONS

Valid B.C. Driver's license

Consistent with Section 6(1) of the Human Rights Code, Indigenous ancestry is a bona fide occupational requirement for this position.

This is a unionized position that offers an hourly wage rate of $34.03 per hour plus a liberal benefit package including pension, health, vacation, and sick benefits. Effective date is as per the collective agreement.

Interested and qualified applicants should apply by clicking the "apply" button to the right of the posting. The closing date for this posting is December 13, 2024.

Note: Successful applicants will be required to consent to a Criminal Records Search prior to employment. Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. To all others, thank you for your interest.