The Mission Public School District is located on the traditional, ancestral, unsurrendered, and shared territories of Stó:lo people, of Leq'á:mel, Semá:th, Máthxwi, Sq'éwlets and Qwó:ltl'el First Nations, stewards of this land since time immemorial.
Halq'eméylem is the language of this land and of Stó:lo ancestors. The place from where Halqeméylem (Upriver dialect) originates is Leqá:mel. The language comes from the land, and it has been this way since time immemorial.
Career Opportunity
Indigenous Liaison Worker
35 hours per week - 10 months per year (Sep-June)
Wage $36.36 per hour
Closing date: May 10, 2026
Why the Mission Public School?
We are a medium-sized district with rural and urban schools. We are large enough to provide a variety of programs and services, and small enough to build meaningful relationships with our students, parents, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
About Mission
Mission is nestled on a southern coastal mountain slope, overlooking the lush valley of the mighty Fraser River. Ideally situated, Mission is located an hour east of Vancouver and 20 minutes from Abbotsford. Mission was originally inhabited by the Sto:lo First Nations people, and today this rapidly growing and dynamic centre is home to a population of some 38,000 residents. Come see why Mission is "the Jewel in the Valley".
Hiring preference for this position will be given to qualified applicants with Indigenous ancestry (as per Special Program exemption with the BC Office of the Human Rights Commissioner). Applicants should clearly indicate their ancestry/status on their application.
Summary
This is work of a support nature working under the general direction of the District Principal Indigenous Education and under the daily supervision of the school-based administration. The Liaison worker works as part of the Siwal Si’wes Indigenous Education Department.
The Indigenous Culture and Liaison Worker provides service to Indigenous learners. Depending upon the nature of the student’s needs, the emphasis of the job responsibility will focus on providing a liaison between the home and school in addition to providing the following services from a culturally based perspective: social-emotional learning, healthy living, outreach (for those experiencing attendance barriers), academic, tutoring and grade-to-grade transitions.
Initially, the type and style of assistance and assignments are discussed with the District Principal Indigenous Education, but as the Indigenous Liaison Worker becomes familiar with materials, students and program resources, independence of judgment is exercised, within established guidelines. The job requires that changes be recommended to established methods or procedures. Work involves a choice of methods or procedures or sequence of operation.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- advocate for equity for Indigenous learners, within assigned school(s)
- consult, collaborate and engage with teachers, site administrators, counselors, other school staff and parents/guardians to monitor and enhance learners’ social and emotional well-being, attendance, academic progress, social and cultural achievements, safety, and behaviour
- demonstrate a high level of tact and diplomacy in interpersonal relationships with colleagues parents/families
- works with students in or out of the classroom to reinforce concepts taught by teacher, provide one-on-one support and small group activities
- accurately log confidential student information digitally on the AIMS platform for Ministry-mandated documentation of meaningful interactions and service of Indigenous students on a regular basis
- maintain clear, concise paper and digital records related to learner progress, all 1701 documentation for audit purposes (including consultation, tracking and transition forms etc.), monthly reports, learner surveys etc.
- maintain strict confidentiality in matters related to Indigenous students in the school district, ensuring confidential student information is stored safely and securely at all times
- promote and document extra-curricular activities for learners to enhance the learners’ cultural, academic, or social achievements
- participate in and contribute to School-Based Team meetings, Care Team meetings, Intentional Student Success meetings, Intentional Student Planning meetings, and any other school-based meeting, as required
- create, develop, plan, and implement cultural activities, and source resources for colleagues to be presented throughout all schools in the district
- provide cultural enrichment presentations for Indigenous learners, classes or for the entire school community to enhance understanding of Indigenous culture, including assisting in the planning of National Day of Truth & Reconciliation, National Indigenous People’s Day etc.
- enhance the understanding of Indigenous culture among students and staff by advising of activities, materials, programs, and resources available for personal or classroom use
- assist in the development of proposals for applicable grants to enhance the understanding of Indigenous culture
- Liaise with Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Education Designates of the Indigenous communities, Indigenous community members, Nation representatives, members of the Siwal Si’wes Indigenous Education Advisory Council and outside agencies such as MCFD, Xyolhemeylh, MCS, Mission Native Housing, Fraser House, Public Health, RCMP, MYHouse, Child and Youth Mental Health, etc.
- provide crisis support for student, family/guardian including home visits or liaise with outside agency accordingly
- may be required to lift and transport food hampers to families and cultural learning kits to and from schools
- demonstrate positive role modelling with children, youth, and parents
- track, handle and distribute gift cards and bus passes to students and families
- may provide snacks and prepare food for students
- may provide transportation for students, to and from school, or appointments
- perform other related duties as may reasonably be expected of a person in this position
Required Qualifications:
- Completion of grade 12
- Diploma or completed program of studies at the post-secondary level such as First Nations Studies, Indigenous Support Worker, Social Services, Child and Youth Care
Required Experience:
- A minimum of two year’s experience conducting activities in a formal setting, with Indigenous children and youth
Required Skills and Abilities:
- a proven interest in, and ability to work with Indigenous children and youth
- considerable knowledge of Indigenous cultures, heritages and value systems and the ability to share with students and staff (Stó:lō Nation would be an asset)
- knowledge, understanding and sensitivity of the effects and impacts of historical educational experiences of Indigenous peoples, including transgenerational trauma
- ability to incorporate trauma-sensitive practices into work practices
- ability to cultivate and nurture positive relationships with learners and families of Indigenous ancestry
- relationship-based ability to facilitate the development of strategies that will enhance the personal, social/emotional, cultural and educational development of Indigenous learners
- ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external contacts and willingness to participate in related in-service training and to assist in presenting in-service to other staff
- ability to express ideas accurately and effectively, both orally and written
- ability to work in a cooperative team situation
- ability to work flexible hours within assigned weekly hours
- ability to work without direct supervision
- knowledge of healthy and safe work practices in accordance with WorkSafe BC Regulations for Workers and ability to work in a safe manner
- a valid BC Driver’s License and vehicle
NOTE: A clear Criminal Record Review to be provided, and updated every five (5) years
Accommodations/adjustments are available for interviews and in the workplace. If selected for an interview Human Resources will provide information on how to request accommodation/adjustments.
