Position Description

The University of Calgary (UCalgary), located in the heart of Southern Alberta, both acknowledges and pays tribute to the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations) as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations). The university recognizes that the City of Calgary is also home to Region III of the Métis Nation of Alberta. By virtue of the signing of Treaty 7 in 1877, the university recognizes that we are all treaty people. The City of Calgary is home to diverse communities. Together, we share this land, strive to live together, learn together, walk together, and grow together “in a good way.”

ii’ taa’poh’to’p – THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY INDIGENOUS STRATEGY
TOGETHER IN A GOOD WAY: A JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMATION AND RENEWAL
In the spring of 2016, The UCalgary set out to build the Indigenous Strategy (ii’ taa’poh’to’p) by gathering stories and perspectives from Traditional Knowledge Keepers, cultural advisors, agencies, and communities. The strategy was adopted in November 2017 with a foundation in transformation, renewal, and shared ethical space. It includes 27 recommendations that address ways of knowing, ways of doing, ways of connecting, and ways of being, touching on all aspects of the university. The university is enacting the strategy’s directions through an Elders/UCalgary leadership Circle of Advisors, the UCalgary Indigenous Strategy Implementation Committee and its seven sub-committees, Circle of Indigenous Scholars, and the ii’taa’poh’to’p Student Circle of Advisors, as well as several other Faculty based committees and action plans.

ii’ taa’poh’to’p guides UCalgary on its path of transformation, and communicates its commitment and responsibility for truth and reconciliation. The strategy is and will remain a living document within the institution, whereby progress will be monitored, and content and direction will be renewed through a process of evaluation and evolution.

THE GIFTINGS
ii’ taa’poh’to’p, the Blackfoot name of the University of Calgary’s Indigenous Strategy, was bestowed and transferred in ceremony by Kainai Elder, Andy Black Water on June 21, 2017. The name signifies a place to rejuvenate and re-energize while on a journey. Traditionally, these places are recognized as safe, caring, restful — and offer renewed energy for an impending journey. In a traditional naming ceremony, transitioning into the new name is a journey of transformation towards self-actualization.
In addition to the Blackfoot name, the UCalgary received several cultural gifts from Indigenous communities. Dr. Reg Crowshoe, Piikani Elder, transferred cultural symbols in ceremony to UCalgary on June 21, 2017. These symbols provide the university with primary principles and concepts to communicate the Indigenous Strategy. On that same day, Rod Hunter of the Stoney Nakoda gifted UCalgary with an honour song that is used at the beginning of large gatherings, including convocation. These and other gifts have been graciously received by UCalgary with a commitment to strengthen and positively advance the relationships between Indigenous communities and the university.

THE PATH TO RECONCILIATION
The clear and compelling imperative for the development and realization of UCalgary’s Indigenous Strategy is based on an authentic foundation of compassion encouraged through intercultural learning opportunities that promote awareness, education, and understanding. Building knowledge and understanding of Indigenous perspectives, worldviews, histories, cultures, and belief systems is essential to enabling and realizing steps towards true reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. UCalgary is committed to a position advanced by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that educational institutions have a profound responsibility in initiating, securing and sustaining reconciliation.

Accredited by Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE), the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary strives to offer a strong practice-based program across the province that will prepare students to be leaders in the field of Social Work. This position is in accordance with professional expectations and social work accreditation in Canada. The 2021 CASWE Standard for accreditation 1.3.4, states, “The academic unit’s policies and practices include specific mechanisms to advance the recruitment, admission, and retention of Indigenous students and those from equity-seeking groups.” In addition, the CASWE (2021) Educational Policy 2.2: Human Resources: Faculty Members and Field Education Personnel states, “SB/M 2.2.2 The policies and procedures of the academic unit include specific mechanisms to support the recruitment, hiring, retention, and equitable assessment of Indigenous Peoples and members of equity-seeking groups”. The 2021 Standards also expect that “Social work students have opportunities to…develop the knowledge and skills to identify positive/negative or equitable/inequitable policies and their implications and outcomes, especially for Indigenous Peoples and members of equity seeking groups, and to participate in efforts to change these”.

FACULTY OF SOCIAL WORK
We seek to recruit and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce that will create the future of social work. We are committed to fostering equity, diversity, inclusivity, and decolonization by cultivating an environment where people with various lived experiences, genders, interests, and talents feel welcome and supported. The Faculty of Social Work is committed to creating a strong connection with community partners, government organizations, and other disciplines and academic institutions, students and colleagues.

UCalgary’s Faculty of Social Work has provided innovative social work education for almost 55 years and is the largest school of social work in Canada. We are consistently ranked among the top 15 research social work schools in North America regarding research productivity. Our research contributes to a greater understanding of complex social issues while making a difference in the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Faculty of Social Work comprises approximately 600 undergraduate students, 400 graduate students, 50 faculty members, and 30 staff. We are proud to offer a range of undergraduate and graduate social work programs across Alberta. The Faculty of Social Work has campuses in Lethbridge, Calgary, and Edmonton, across Alberta and beyond through nationally accredited blended learning programs to meet the need of our diverse full-time students and working professionals. Through innovative delivery models, we also provide quality undergraduate education to rural and remote communities throughout the province, providing a curriculum with cultural and geographic relevance that is responsive to Indigenous issues.

The Faculty of Social Work is involved in transdisciplinary work across the University of Calgary and globally. Our Faculty’s research agenda is diverse. Some of our researchers focus on systemic and policy solutions to complex social problems, while others focus on applied research that improves the lives of individuals, families and communities and higher education teaching. Our innovative, transdisciplinary research demands meaningful community engagement focusing on social justice and human rights. We are committed to ensuring Indigenous ways of knowing are sustained, supporting decolonizing research, and building Indigenous research capacity.
Our Faculty’s research is an integral part of UCalgary’s Eyes High strategy, and aligns with UCalgary’s research strategies, particularly: Human Dynamics in a Changing World and Brain and Mental Health, as well as our UCalgary Framework for Growth.

Several social work courses include Indigenous content, and all courses have Indigenous outcomes woven throughout. For example, our Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Practice includes a mandatory course: Advanced Trauma-Informed Practice with Indigenous People and Communities, which focuses on the nature of historical, multigenerational, and contemporary dynamics that impact Indigenous people through an examination of the traumatic experiences of colonization, residential schools, rampant child welfare apprehensions, cultural suppression, and discrimination. Reconciliation is a concept that is embedded in the texture of the Canadian social work professional system. For this reason, the Faculty of Social Work is working on a curriculum redesign and expanding the breadth and depth of Indigenous content in the curriculum, including courses focusing on Indigenous peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, relevant issues, and responses to the TRC Calls to Action.

In 2020, the Faculty of Social Work Kiipitakyoyis (Grandmother Lodge) was created as an Indigenous Social Work Circle, with donor support, to recruit, provide scholarship funding, and offer culturally appropriate supports to guide Indigenous students toward their social work degree. The Faculty of Social Work works with Elders and Knowledge Keepers regularly and dedicates funds to strengthen the presence of elders in our programs.

The Faculty of Social Work is beginning the development of our Indigenous Strategy, and the successful candidate will be a crucial member of this strategy development in 2023.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The University of Calgary recognizes the importance of creating and maintaining a welcoming and equitable environment that enables every member of our campus to thrive. The Inclusive Excellence Cluster Hiring Initiative has been launched to advance and embed the institution’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, Indigenous engagement, and inclusive excellence. This initiative, which was developed in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Alberta Human Rights Act, is a key step to ameliorate the under-representation of members of equity deserving groups at the university, to enhance the conditions of disadvantaged groups, to build a critical mass of scholars who reflect the diversity of our student body and the broader community, to advance epistemic pluralism and the creation of new knowledges and ways of knowing, and to broaden the culture of inclusivity and engagement. 

As part of the Inclusive Excellence Cluster Hire Initiative, and our commitment to ii’ taa’poh’to’p, the Faculty of Social Work is seeking to bring into our Faculty of Social Work community an Indigenous academic member who would be appointed with tenure at the rank of Associate Professor (Teaching). This position is only open to qualified Indigenous scholars (First Nations (Status, Non Status), Métis, or Inuit). Candidates will be required to provide verifiable evidence of their Indigenous identity. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2023.

The successful candidate will dedicate much of their time to teach in our undergraduate and graduate programs. There is the opportunity for scholarship and developing impactful knowledge engagement activities. There is an opportunity for administrative leadership and curriculum development, providing service at the faculty level, university level and within our profession. 

The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Associate Professor (with tenure), have a student-centred teaching record, and demonstrate leadership in service, collaboration and mentorship within academia, the community and to build reciprocal partnerships with First Nations, Metis, and/or Inuit rural and urban communities. The goal of these partnerships is to increase capacity to engage in appropriate and meaningful initiatives that positively impact the Indigenous communities as directed by Indigenous communities. The successful candidate must have the demonstrated ability to contribute to our Faculty of Social Work Strategic Plan: https://socialwork.ucalgary.ca/about/strategic-plan-0 

We are seeking a candidate who will co-lead our Faculty of Social Work Indigenous Strategy and who has a deep knowledge and connection to Indigenous communities and Indigenous wellness practices. The successful candidate will be a vital member of this strategy development in 2023. We want to take pride in our Faculty’s Indigenous Strategy, and its grounding to deepen our commitment to social justice, walking parallel paths, and adopting respectful approaches with Indigenous peoples. Our Faculty will advance with a deep awareness of our shared present and historical relations, including our professions’ role in contributing to systemic racism toward Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island and its legacy of harms.

The successful candidate will have support from a variety of sources including, but not limited to, the UCalgary Circle of Advisors, Elders, the Taylor Institute, and the Vice-Provost (Indigenous Engagement) team. As well, the Circle of Indigenous Scholars within the University Calgary  is supporting Indigenous scholars individually and collectively. The Circle provides opportunity for scholars to gather to address matters that are important to them, the Indigenous communities on campus, and wider Indigenous communities. As a circle, it provides peer connections and support to all participating scholars.

CANDIDATE PROFILE
The candidate must have education and skills, including:

• A completed PhD is required with a preference in social work, however a closely related discipline may be considered.
• Completion of a BSW or MSW is required. 
• A minimum of two years of full-time post-degree practice experience in social work practice  with Indigenous populations is required, where the practice is primarily, or exclusively with Indigenous people, Indigenous communities and/or policies directly focused on matters pertaining to Indigenous people.
• A minimum of two years of full-time post-degree experience in organizational team leadership.
• Evidence of excellence in teaching and learning with a primary focus on Indigenous approaches. This includes teaching at a university level, using online delivery methods, with an interdisciplinary approach to undergraduate and graduate levels, and contributing to ongoing curriculum development.
• Knowledge to support and promote Indigenous models of practice and ways of knowing.
• Knowledge, skills, and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization, and social justice. 
• Eligibility to register with Alberta College of Social Workers.
• Previous academic scholarship in Indigenous areas would be an asset.
• Membership on a graduate student supervisory committee would be an asset. And,
• Experience as a field education practicum supervisor is required. 

COMPETENCIES

• Visionary, collaborative, respectful, relational, strategic, and able to maintain an authentic Indigenous presence.
• An exceptional communicator with the capacity to advocate, influence and inspire in a wide variety of settings across diverse demographics of stakeholders.
• Demonstrates an impactful understanding of equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization principles and Indigenous engagement.
• Proven capacity to build and sustain trust through openness, listening, and engagement while demonstrating an uncompromising commitment to ethical values and the highest level of integrity.
• Models leadership for the transformation of the campus identity to one that promotes cultural inclusivity, humility, safety and respect as emphasized in the Indigenous Strategy.
• Enable success of Indigenous students, and community outreach in support of Indigenous initiatives within the Faculty of Social Work.
• Demonstrates ability to lead transformative change that advances the parallel relationships and ethical space with Indigenous communities and peoples.
• Excellent skills in intercultural relationships, including cultural humility and safety.
• Models effective methods of working with intercultural capacity.

 FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• https://socialwork.ucalgary.ca/about/strategic-plan-0 - the Faculty of Social Work Strategic Plan
• https://socialwork.ucalgary.ca/
• Office of Indigenous Engagement - https://www.ucalgary.ca/indigenous 
• ii’ taa’poh’to’p - University of Calgary’s Indigenous Strategy
• http://www.ucalgary.ca
• http://www.ucalgary.ca/eyeshigh
• https://research.ucalgary.ca/conduct-research/additional-resources/indigenous-research- support-team
• https://www.ucalgary.ca/hr/campus-culture/indigenous-work

To explore this opportunity further, please contact [email protected] Dr. Ellen Perrault, PhD, Dean, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary

TO APPLY

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application online via UCalgary Careers via the 'Apply Now' link. Please include a cover letter, curriculum vitae (including the name and contact information of three references), teaching dossier (including a statement of teaching philosophy, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and educational development plan), Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Decolonization statement, and statement of research. All applicants must self-identify as an Indigenous scholar (First Nations (Status, Non Status), Métis, or Inuit) in their cover letter and be prepared to provide documented verification of their Indigenous identity. Please provide all documents in one file. 

Please be aware that the application process allows for only four attachments.

The closing date for applications is April 24, 2023.

The University of Calgary recognizes that candidates have varying career paths and that career interruption can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged but not required to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Selection committees have been instructed to carefully consider, and be sensitive to the impact of career interruptions when assessing the candidate’s application.  

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here; in particular, we encourage members of equity-deserving groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities to apply. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding diversity or requests for accommodation can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

Additional Information

To learn more about academic opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Academic Careers website. For more information visit Careers in the Faculty of Social Work.

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary
 
The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
 
About Calgary, Alberta

Calgary is one of the world's cleanest cities and has been named one of the world's most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.