Indigenous Student Union (ISU) Coordinator

Title:  Indigenous Student Union (ISU) Coordinator

Reports to: Vice-President, Indigenous Affairs
Department: Indigenous Student Union
Employment Type: Full-Time, Fixed-Term

Duration/Term Length: 12-month contract

Compensation: $52,000- $55,000/Year

Work Hours: Hours of work are 35 hours per week, with some evening and weekend work required to support Indigenous Student Union meetings, programming, events, community engagement, and other activities.

Location: Toronto, ON (Hybrid)

Summary

Under the direction of the Vice President, Indigenous Affairs, the Indigenous Student Union (ISU) Coordinator is responsible for supporting the administration, day-to-day operations, programming, engagement, and organizational activities of the CCSAI Indigenous Student Union. The coordinator serves as the primary full-time administrative resource to the Indigenous Student Union and works closely with the Vice President, Indigenous Affairs, Indigenous student leaders, CCSAI staff, Centennial College departments, and community partners to support the Union in achieving its mandate.

The position plays an important role in strengthening Indigenous student engagement, supporting culturally relevant programming, maintaining effective administrative systems, and creating opportunities for Indigenous students to build community, celebrate culture, access resources, and participate meaningfully in student life and governance. As a staff position, the coordinator supports the work and decisions of the Indigenous Student Union and its elected student leadership but does not replace or exercise the governance, representative, or advocacy authority vested in elected student leaders.

The coordinator shall conduct their responsibilities in a manner that respects Indigenous cultures, traditions, ways of knowing and being, while ensuring compliance with CCSAI bylaws, policies, procedures, strategic priorities, and applicable legislation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Indigenous Student Union Administration

• Provide administrative and operational support to the Vice President, Indigenous Affairs in carrying out the mandate and annual priorities of the ISU.
• Maintain accurate and organized ISU records, files, correspondence, administrative documents, and institutional knowledge.
• Coordinate calendars, meetings, appointments, activities, deadlines, and other administrative requirements of the ISU.
• Assist with the preparation of meeting agendas, supporting documents, minutes, reports, presentations, and other materials as required.
• Track decisions, commitments, action items, projects, and deliverables arising from ISU meetings and activities.
• Develop and maintain administrative systems, procedures, templates, and resources that support continuity and effective operations.
• Assist with annual transition and onboarding processes for incoming Indigenous student leaders.
• Support the development and implementation of the ISU's annual work plan and priorities.
• Prepare regular operational updates and reports for the Vice President, Indigenous Affairs.

Indigenous Student Engagement & Community Development

• Develop and maintain meaningful relationships with Indigenous students across Centennial College campuses.
• Support initiatives that encourage Indigenous students to participate in the Indigenous Student Union, CCSAI governance, committees, programming, and student life.
• Coordinate outreach and engagement activities to identify the priorities, concerns, experiences, and needs of Indigenous students.
• Serve as an accessible first point of contact for students seeking information about the Indigenous Student Union and connect students with appropriate CCSAI, College, or community resources where required.

Programming, Events & Cultural Initiatives

• Coordinate the planning and delivery of Indigenous Student Union programs, events, campaigns, workshops, cultural activities, and community-building initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with CCSAI departments and College partners to coordinate event logistics, space bookings, purchasing, communications, accessibility requirements, and other operational needs.
• Assist with the coordination of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Indigenous community members, speakers, facilitators, and external partners participating in ISU activities.
• Ensure that Indigenous cultural activities and protocols are approached respectfully and, where appropriate, with guidance from Elders, Knowledge Keepers, or other appropriate Indigenous community resources.
• Collect attendance records and student feedback for ISU programs and activities, and share this information with the Vice President, Indigenous Affairs, to support program planning.

Indigenous Student Union Space

• Support the effective day-to-day administration and operation of the designated Indigenous Student Union space; maintain the ISU space as a welcoming, respectful, accessible, and culturally safe environment for Indigenous students.
• Coordinate resources, supplies, equipment, programming materials, and other operational requirements associated with the space.
• Identify operational, maintenance, accessibility, safety, or resource needs and report them to the Vice President, Indigenous Affairs and appropriate CCSAI department.

Financial & Resource Administration

• Track ISU expenditures, purchase requests, invoices, receipts, honoraria, and other financial documentation.
• Ensure purchases and expenditures comply with approved budgets and CCSAI financial policies and procedures.
• Coordinate purchase orders, procurement requests, vendor documentation, and reimbursement processes in collaboration with the appropriate CCSAI departments.
• Prepare budget updates and financial information for the Vice President, Indigenous Affairs as required.
• The Coordinator shall not independently commit CCSAI or the Indigenous Student Union to financial or contractual obligations unless specifically authorized in accordance with CCSAI policies and delegated authority.

Communications & Promotion

• Work collaboratively with CCSAI's Communications team to promote ISU programs, initiatives, events, services, and engagement opportunities.
• Coordinate with CCSAI’s Communications and Marketing department by providing content and information for ISU newsletters, webpages, social media, promotional materials, and student outreach.
• Maintain appropriate communication channels with Indigenous students and ISU stakeholders.
• Support storytelling and awareness initiatives that celebrate Indigenous student leadership, culture, achievement, and community.

Advocacy & Student Leadership Support

• Support the Vice President, Indigenous Affairs by collecting student feedback, compiling requested information, and assisting with the preparation of briefing notes, reports, presentations, and consultation materials on Indigenous student issues.
• Support Indigenous student representatives participating in CCSAI committees, consultations, working groups, and other governance activities.
• Maintain the distinction between staff administration and elected student advocacy; the Coordinator shall not independently establish political or advocacy positions on behalf of the Indigenous Student Union or CCSAI.

Partnerships & Relationship Building

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with relevant Centennial College departments, Indigenous services, CCSAI departments, student leaders, and community partners.
• Coordinate meetings and collaborative initiatives with internal and external stakeholders as directed by the Vice President, Indigenous Affairs.

Policy, Governance & Compliance

• Be conversant with and adhere to CCSAI bylaws, policies, procedures, directives, and applicable College requirements.
• Support the Vice President, Indigenous Affairs, in implementing the provisions of CCSAI Bylaw No. 2 respecting the administration and affairs of the Indigenous Student Union.
• Assist with the development, review, and implementation of ISU administrative procedures and operational guidelines.
• Ensure appropriate confidentiality, privacy, records management, and information-handling practices are maintained.
• Identify administrative or operational issues and recommend appropriate solutions to the Vice President, Indigenous Affairs.
• Perform other duties reasonably related to the administration and operation of the Indigenous Student Union as assigned.

Job Specific Competencies

• Indigenous Student Engagement - Advanced
• Community & Relationship Building - Advanced
• Cultural Awareness and Responsiveness - Advanced
• Program & Event Coordination - Intermediate
• Administrative Coordination - Intermediate
• Project Management - Intermediate
• Budget Administration - Foundational
• Research and Advocacy Support - Foundational
• Records Management & Documentation - Intermediate

Key Knowledge and Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma or degree in Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Governance, Community Development, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Student Affairs, Education, Social Work, or a related discipline is preferred.
• A combination of relevant education, lived experience, community involvement, and professional experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, communities, contemporary issues, Truth and Reconciliation, and Indigenous student experiences within post-secondary education.
• Experience working with Indigenous students, Indigenous communities, Indigenous organizations, student associations, post-secondary institutions, or community-based organizations is strongly preferred.
• Experience coordinating programs, events, projects, community initiatives, or student engagement activities.
• Strong administrative, organizational, time-management, and recordkeeping abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects while meeting deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and building respectful community relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 and other administrative and digital collaboration tools.
• Knowledge of student union or non-profit environments is considered an asset.

Working Conditions

The position operates in a dynamic student-centred environment and requires regular interaction with students, student leaders, CCSAI staff, College employees, community partners, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and other stakeholders. Some travel between Centennial College campuses and to community events or meetings may be required.

CCSAI recognizes that Indigenous knowledge, community involvement, cultural experience, and lived experience can constitute important forms of expertise. Applicants who demonstrate substantial relevant community-based experience are encouraged to apply.

Please Note: We are hiring for a current vacancy

Deadline to Apply: Friday October 30, 2026, 4:30pm

We thank all those who apply; however, only those individuals selected for further consideration will be contacted. We are committed to meeting the needs of all individuals in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Should you require accommodations during the recruitment and selection process, please contact Human Resources.