Adviser, First Nations Students

ADVISER, FIRST NATIONS STUDENTS

• Charles Sturt University, with a strong commitment to improving First Nations student outcomes
• Dynamic, creative team with a commitment to driving results through collaboration with First Nations communities and organisations
• Three permanent roles: Albury (1), Orange (1) and Wagga Wagga (1)

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has a strong Commitment to Closing the Gap. It strives to provide all students with an excellent University experience, setting them up for success by providing them with opportunities for engagement, academic excellence and being career ready. CSU delivers a cohesive suite of services for First Nations students including general advice and advocacy, a First Nations Tutor Program, Away From Base services, direct entry programs and culturally appropriate connection to a range of specialist services. CSU prides itself on having the highest number of First Nations students online in Australia and is consistently one of the highest overall First Nations enrolments nationally. 

Your New Role

As a First Nations student adviser, you have a strong commitment to delivering high quality customer service, striving to always meet needs and expectations. You adapt to change easily and are willing to accept new ideas and initiatives. You thrive on bringing people together and building effective relationships that deliver the desired results. You apply, develop and share specialist and detailed technical expertise with others, and actively engage to understand other organisational disciplines. You have excellent communication skills, and present clearly and fluently in all situations. You value a work environment that welcomes the expression of opinions and respond to audiences with credibility. You thrive in an organisation that sets demanding goals, values hard work, provides developmental opportunities and supports progression within the organisation. Ideally you understand the needs of First Nations students in a university environment.

Your personal circumstances enable you to travel to multiple campuses across NSW, stay overnight where necessary, and to be rostered to work within the hours of 7am and 7pm according to student need.

You will be responsible for 

• Working collaboratively with relevant University staff to develop, implement and evaluate proactive services that support First Nations students' successful transition to University
• Developing, implementing and reporting on services and strategies that support First Nations students' success at Charles Sturt University
• Advocating for First Nations students to provide professional and timely responses to University-related student enquiries and the facilitation of personalised plans
• Referring First Nations students to other services as appropriate
• Contributing to training and support that enhances Charles Sturt University's capability to respond to First Nations' student experiences
• Working collegially with all Charles Sturt University staff in the effective provision of quality services for First Nations students, including government funded programs.

Essential Criteria

• Aboriginality including lived experience and understanding of the issues affecting people in contemporary Australian society – your employer considers Aboriginality a genuine occupational qualification for the role in accordance with the Anti-Discrimination Act (s.14(d))
• Demonstrated communication and negotiation skills to work effectively with relevant stakeholders on matters relevant to the delivery of quality higher education to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Demonstrated excellence in the use of inclusive approaches to the provision of services, based upon a thorough understanding of the needs of First Nations' people, relevant to the service delivery context
• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal skills, including written and verbal communication skills
• Sound knowledge of technology and experience in the use of on-line, and flexible solutions in the delivery of services
• Capacity to effectively and efficiently deliver and support initiatives and case load across multiple sites and mediums to work with minimal supervision
• Satisfactory National Police and Working with Children Checks.

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant discipline with 2 or more years' subsequent relevant experience; or extensive experience (e.g. an associate diploma with at least 4 years relevant experience; or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through any combination of education, training and experience.

How to Apply
Please upload your current resume and a cover letter addressing the essential criteria stated that demonstrates how you meet the role requirements. Applicants not addressing the essential criteria may not be considered. For further information about the role, please contact Alix Goodwin on 0417 679 964.

Applications are to be received by 11.59pm on 20 November 2022. Applications will be progressively reviewed prior to the closing date.